UNWELCOME GUESTS!

Mr. and/or Mrs. Eagle, you should be ashamed!  I'm sorry, but you are no longer worthy of the honor of being our National Bird.  We used to love watching you soar above our house with your white head and tail reflecting the sunlight.  Now we (and our ducks) live in fear of your presence. Our forefathers should have listened to Benjamin Franklin when he lobbied for the Wild Turkey to be given the honor of National Bird. For shame!

 

Over the past few days we have had several unwelcome visits from several very aggressive and apparently hungry Bald Eagles.

The first visit ended in two non-life threatening  injuries.

The second visit ended in a fatality! We'll miss you Jake the Drake! 

On their third visit they met with some interference in the form of flagging tape and string criss-crossing the ducks new (temporary) home, so they left empty taloned. We are hoping that will discourage any further attempts. Eagles are very well protected by our government, so they can pretty much do anything they want, and there really is nothing else we can do to protect our ducks from them. 

Wouldn't it be wonderful if our government took protecting their CHILDREN as seriously as they take protecting their Eagles? The Eagle is no longer an endangered species but there are many children who are. Plus, they are a whole lot cuter!

 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

WELCOME GUESTS............

A lovely Mallard couple came for a few visits recently.  Our domestic ducks were very cordial, and shared their little swimming hole and food with them.

We are proud of our ducks for the hospitality they showed their unexpected guests. I guess they were brought up well!

A PUZZLING CHILD

Some of us really like to do puzzles, and some of us, REALLY are hooked on puzzles. So far, this year, Alanna (with some help) has completed over nine puzzles that are anywhere from 350 to 1000 pieces!  Once she finishes one, she can't stand to break it apart and put it back in the box after all that work...........................

So......now we are gluing them ALL together. Somebody has plans to wall paper her room with puzzles!

THEY SURVIVED!

As part of their ongoing training as members of the county search and rescue team, Alex and Tyler left at the crack of dawn yesterday morning for an overnight survival training on a nearby mountain.

But first they reluctantly happily put on their packs and posed for a picture for Mom.

 Don't they look excited and wide awake?  Alex, I guess you can't say that you are Tyler's big brother anymore, but you're still his older brother, so don't let him forget that!

 These were taken by Tyler with his ipod.( Mom and her camera don't do over night camping on mountains in the middle of the winter)

The Annual 4-H Bunny and Cavy Olympics

 There's the anticipation/preparation..........

 The fitting and showing competition........

 The ribbons........

 Meeting new piggies....... (Yes, he's cute but you already have four........)

 and, most importantly, the FRIENDS!

David's 2012 Winter Recital