This Way To My Blog

This Way To My Blog

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Freeloaders Caught In The Act

No wonder I've been seeing so many Cardinals at the ranch. They are getting into the tubs of cow feed. A few must have found it and invited all their relatives. The wild hogs have been very active all over the ranch, even coming nearly to the cattle pens. We haven't seen any in a long time so I guess they are working at night. As we drove over the dam we spotted a flock of wild turkeys either coming from water or going to water. Good to see the hunters didn't take them all  down. Speaking of hunters we drove to the back forty to check things out and the hunters had opened up the gates to the back forty so the cows can go in to graze what little there is to graze. Deer hunting season must be over here or about over. It pays to play nice. W respected their hunting and they opened the gates when they were finished. Didn't take long to find Kenneth's cow and her new calf. It was nursing, looked healthy, and is a little bull calf. This mother was not standing still for any picture taking. She didn't take her eyes off us as we drove by and then she led it off away from us as fast as she could get it to go. John doesn't like to upset the mothers so if they don't want us around we respect that when we see they are doing fine. It was a beautiful day for all the animals after a very cold night. The cottontail was in the rabbit feeding area but I didn't see any Jackrabbits. Glad I had taken some stuff left over from making salad for lunch plus the pellets. Another day at the ranch.

11 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

glad all is well - well, except for the wild hogs. hope they don't cause a problem!

Sharon said...

Not sure about the wild hogs, will they harm the new calves? Glad you found the elusive mommy with her baby. Ooh! Wabbits!

Jon said...

I'm surprised that you have Cardinals this early in the year.
It's been so cold here in west TX lately that I haven't seen anything but the Canadian geese.

Jean said...

Cold in the South Alabama in the teens tonight. We still have ice on the ground and the town is closed down. Just hope everyone stays well until it fairs up. take care, Jean

Sheila Y said...

Glad you found Mom and calf and they were okay. Take care and stay warm, Sheila

TARYTERRE said...

I LOVE red birds. They are so beautiful. Glad you got to see the calf.

Hootin Anni said...

Wild hogs, I'm thinking they could spell disaster?!! Maybe not.

I'm so happy to read here that the calf is well and healthy!!

jack69 said...

We enjoyed the visit to the ranch and the back forty. Glad you are still seeing wild life. Always enjoy the reports on the mama's and the calves. You describe the nature and actions so well. THANKS!

Always fun to visit the ranch.

shirl72 said...

Paula when I read your blog I feel
I am on road with you seeing
the same thing. I saw the Mother and her Baby.

I have 5 places I feed the Birds,
Squirrels and Doves. It is fun to watch them. I have many Red Birds and about 5 squirrels and of course Doves. Squirrels will run each other off and some of the Birds are selfish and run other Birds off. I have watched the Doves and they will let others eat with them they are not selfish. I saw some Black Birds today and started to run them off, but then I thought they also have to eat so back off.



Helen said...

I love to hear when mama's take care of those babies. Hope those hogs stay away.

Lynne said...

Hi Paula, I posted a story about the cardinals and loved ones. If you get time go check it out. Love the beautiful birds of winter. We mostly see blue birds. Some of them are so vibrant in colors. Amazing. I haven't seen deer for awhile except for on the roads where they were not quick enough before being hit. I hear the geese over at the pond thru the woods. If I were braver, I might scout out the woods, but we have hunters too and unfortunately they do not always abide by the "hunting season" rules. My husband says it is the Amish boys, but I don't know. I am not going to find out, lol!