Random Wednesday

A brief walk today brought forth a few photo opportunities. The mallard was pretty laid back.

 The geese were attentive, but not scared. They have nested in this area for the last 4 years (maybe longer).

 Spring is definitely here when the Marsh Marigolds are out. You can't fool them! spring is about 2 weeks later than normal.

 The odd butterfly was out and about.

 This woodpecker decided to pose while hammering for a mate. it appears to be a juvenile Yellow Bellied sapsucker.

 Robins appear to be everywhere now.

 I see you!

This and That.. More That

After working in the garden most of the day, digging and planting potatoes,onions,lettuce, spinach, I decided to do a bit of a walk about in the lower pasture.

This anthill was not there last year. 

 The bumble bees were busy

 This little butterfly plus a whole bunch more just like him were flitting around.

 A few Tiger Swallowtails were flying around.

 Then there were these guys, zillions of them all over the place. It must be the year of the worm.

 More of the horrible little critters! I don't know what eats them. The only time I saw anything chewing on them was a hunter spider. (See last year's blog)

There are a few things to do in the main garden, but they can wait for another day.

Hints of Spring

I had 16 of these butterflies in the garage today trying to get out the window. I caught them all and released them to fly off. They must have hibernated in the garage over the winter.

 The snow pack is down to 6 to 8 inches.

 All the crud from over the winter is poking through. One more day like today, and the snow should be gone.

 Little creeks are flowing off the fields like crazy.

 Some cow parsley is even poking through. It's a good thing that the horses are banished from the field until it dries up or it would not get to grow much.

 Our normally dry creek bed was really going.

The bad part is that the weatherman is forecasting snow for Monday. If he doesn't get the weather right pretty soon, I am going for impeachment!

Wishful Thinking on a Cold and Windy Day!

Around the Field

Tiger swallowtail

Fritillery

Around the Acreage

The view across the way. 

 Tiger swallowtail

 Boots, the lurker

 Biz, still munching new grass

 21 C (70F)- too hot for man and beast!

A new young lady learning to ride on Biz. She is taking lessons at a riding academy, but wants to practice.

Wordless Wednesday ( well almost)

Thanks to all for the kind words!

Yep, I can still ride with the thumb in a splint. It might be in a cast tomorrow, but I still plan on riding with it.
We spent an hour riding Alpine with one of the bitless bridles. It went pretty good, but I'm not sure if I got it adjusted right. Back to the internet for further instructions.

Alpine was a little skittish, but I think she just needs more people bonding time. It likely will be a while before we venture out of the paddock. She is a very smooth riding horse!

To all the guys that asked for the Doc's name so that they could get a letter to their wives for excusing household chores, I will pass on the request, but remember, I have priority. This is Alberta so O.G, I didn't have to offer cash. Medicare takes care of those details.

Sneaking Around

Not too much going on around the acreage today so I thought that I would see

what I could sneak up on. A couple of sleeping horses was pretty easy.

A Mourning Cloak butterfly was a little more difficult because it was

 A) trying to find a mate..B) looking for a sunny spot. He found it on  a fallen poplar tree.

 ( More work to keep me busy)

And then there is always the peerless Boots, Watchdog, herd master, chicken watcher extraordinaire.

Always on the lookout for his critters. Well almost always.

 This was a pretty easy sneak because he is stone deaf.

Did I say "Thanks, texwisgirl"?