Summer

It's terribly hot these days, but typical of summer.  Talked to a neighbor this morning and he said the snakes were on the move looking for cool places to hide.  He killed a rattlesnake that was between 2 and 3 feet long. 
Calves are slowly growing more independent, tho at least one mama is still calling her baby to nurse through the fence. 
We're fixing to have a few bits of fencing built:  around the bales and an area to help with sorting activities. 
The birds have fledged their first round of babies and it looks like another round of babies for a couple of species.
When the mama hummers brought in their babies to the feeders a couple of weeks ago, it was like watching Peanuts' Woodstock with the landings they were making.  Very entertaining!!!
The fallow deer has moved into the pasture it seems.  Know she's lonely but is spending her time hanging out with the cows.  She has plenty of grass and water so I think she'll be okay for now.

 

Separation

It's weaning time again.  #1, #2, and #3 have been separated from their mamas.  On the one hand the mamas are happy; but when their teats start to hurt from the milk that is not being consumed,  it's a different story.  The babies like the lazy convenience of food "on demand." 

The goal is for the babies to learn to take care of themselves.  It's a process all benefit from...

Morning Buffet

Every morning we "cube" everyone.  We set up the buffet tables and the chaos of feeding ensues.  All love having the goodies and it gives us an opportunity to see how everyone is doing. 

then everyone mills around the water trough chatting.  It a good way to begin the day.

Stock Shed

The building of our stock shed:

We are now ready for weening and any extreme weather situations.  Hopefully the "Tax Man" won't see this...

#4 and #5

Our newest members, #4 and #5, have officially joined the herd.  They received their ear tags, final baby shots, and #4 was examined to determine that his castration was successful. 

#5

#4

I would like to say all has gone smoothly, but I'd be lying.  Sweetie, #4's mother, has been very protective!  On at least three occasions she has gone after Peg.  All three charging attempts were understandable.  The first time Peg roped #4, who was only four days old.  The next time was a few minutes later when Peg attempted to "push" #4 and Sweetie toward the corral.  Finally, a couple weeks later we were in the pasture watching the group and Zeek started acting like he wanted to play/chase #4.  He was nursing at the time and Sweetie, after a couple warning snorts, went after Zeek and Peg.  I think Sweetie was justified in her aggression.  Hard to fault a mama protecting her baby!  However, it does point to the fact that we are working with large, potentially dangerous animals, not house pets.  Lessons are being learned!!!

Hundreds of Bees

Looked outside yesterday during our rain showers and saw this giant ball of brown.  Thought it was an owl or some other kind of bird.  This morning walked out to get a closer look and discovered it was a big group of bees.

Called a bee person to have it removed/relocated and he said it was a colony looking for a new place to live.  The scouts from the group were probably already out looking for a new home. He said for me to leave them alone and they would leave soon.  I told him if they weren't gone in a couple of days, he would hear back from me!

Exotic Visitor

A week or so ago, we had an exotic visitor.  I believe it is a fallow deer. 

It probably escaped from a nearby ranch.  She hung around for a couple days and disappeared.  Hopefully she was able to get back with her "kind."