Deer Feeder Visitors

Have included some pictures of deer feeder visitors.  

 The partying raccoons have returned.  Somehow they always find the goodies; let the good times roll!!

 A good stiff breeze will move the feeder just enough to dislodge a bit of corn.  The squirrels risk life and limb to take advantage of a free meals.  The hawks love their fat squirrels!!!

A feast is had by all!

Co-Pilot

I have a co-pilot as I cruise around the farm doing chores.  Zeek is very invested as "So goes the farm, so goes his life."

I think he may be standing on my foot as we cruise about which is very painful if I'm wearing sandals.  He likes pressing against my knee and the wind in his face! 

More Pests

We've been suffering through an army worm infestation.  After several sprays of  pesticides, they continue to munch their way through our yard and pastures.

Then we have the termites...

They hide in their tubes to avoid chemicals and predators. 

Finally, I have been dealing with 65 pounds of over-the-top enthusiasm.  The good news is this canine is very lovable in addition to being a "wild rascal." 

Zeek is sweet!!!

Armadillos

The armadillos living in my yard are driving me crazy.  Note the dens below...

They spend their nights digging holes all over the yard in search of grubs and other "goodies."  I have to wear my teeth guard when I mow the yard because it is so ridden with holes and ruts.  In hopes of creating some interest eliminating this pest, I have offered a $10 cash bounty on each armadillo killed.  After waiting a year, not one taker has stepped forward.  I have noted three dens, but there are twice to three times as many near trees and along the fence.  Come out and make some easy money!!! 

A New Corral?

So what is this thing?  Corral?  Puppy containment area?  Calf holder?  Armadillo cage?
Soil/grass test area?  Goat enclosure?  Grandchildren feeding enclosure? 
Check back and its mysteries will be revealed....

Update

We returned Ferdinand to his owner on Saturday.  He was very unhappy to leave and "the girls" seemed upset also.  Our fingers are crossed that Ferdinand has done what he was "hired" to do! 

We have reunited the mamas and babies and there were some heartwarming exchanges between them.  Unfortunately at cube feeding time the babies get pushed around and don't get their fair share. 

We attended the Texas A & M Beef Cattle Short Course this week.  Gosh there seemed to be more information than ever:  DNA screening, castrating, implants, etc., etc.  Also Peg has put the down payment on a cattle working system.  In theory it will making doing all of the above safer. 

As the "Dog Days Of Summer" wind down, we are hoping for rain.  So far this year we have received less than ten inches.  The tank is as low as it's ever been and the grass in the pastures is waning.  Some rain is forecast for this weekend, so we'll see. 

Zeek

Welcome Zeek! 

Zeek joined us after a brief stay with a nearby Lab rescue group.  He is very sweet and loving.  His estimated age is 1-3 years old.  He is potty and crate trained.  Walking on a leash is his one limitation.  We will get there!

Range Cubes

I have had several questions about what a range cube is so have provided a couple of pictures.  The cows and calves love them.  Given some of the things I've had to feed animals over the years, they aren't nasty at all.

Basically they are just giant rabbit pellets.

Weaning

Weaning our baby calves off their mamas has been and continues to be an adventure.  The babies get fed "creep" twice a day.  They all have clocks it seems and show up for meals on time.  After their meal, they are hand fed "cubes" which are like giant rabbit pellets.  They love them! 

The mamas are within sight view with a fence between them and the babies.  We survived the crying from both sides at separation. 

The babies had no trees/shade on their side of the fence so we bought a "Weaning Tent."  The first big winds we had, blew it down.

The repairs have been made and planning is in the works for something more substantial for the future.
We are three weeks out from the separation and the babies are doing well.  They have daily routines and say "Hi" to their mamas but are independent now from them.

The mamas are getting to "know" Ferdinand better.  We are hopeful he will be the "baby daddy" for next springs crop of babies.

We've Got Hay

In a partnership with locals, we've harvested our first hay crop.  It's not enough to sustain us (the girls) through the lean winter months, but it's a start.  With a little rain and some luck, we're hoping for another cutting before winter.

Slum Property

Three years ago I received a Purple Martin apartment complex for Christmas.  It took months to construct and get it installed.  Great care was given to height requirements, etc.  We had lots of lookers and fly overs, but no tenants.  This spring we had some major winds and the complex slipped down its pole to its current height of five feet.  What happened?  We had a couple of Martin couples move in!  All of the apartments must have been filled at the Martin Sun City.  Just goes to show they aren't as particular as we think.

Ranchers?

Ranchers?  I hardly think so.  We been trying to work our little herd through the pens for a fly treatment.  No luck!  They jump over the barriers and run through so fast, they are mere brown blurs.
This weekend we are suppose to separate the babies from the mamas.  It'll be a miracle if it happens.
Some of the "players."

 Ferdinand

 Vivian

 Sweetie

 Big Red

 Brownie

 Belle

 Calfie

Allie

Like all the Mapes and their pets, food is a lure that works.  Why do you think we have Thanksgiving at our house every year?   Fifty pounds of range cubes for our herd nets the same results--100% attendance!

Ferdinand

Out checking on "the herd" this evening...  Yes there is a white face in the group.  His name is Ferdinand.  He's from a "Rent-A-Bull" place.  We're hoping he will be the baby daddy for the next batch of babies.  The internet is moving incredibly slow this evening so I'll give another update later.

Weird Clouds

Not sure what was going on with these clouds.  They formed at ground level then became airborne. 

Was the air cooler above or was it cooler below?  There was no wind so the clouds stayed in place for at least an hour.  The sky above was blue.