2020 was a crazy year by any standards. A farm is a great place to be during a pandemic as there’s always lots to do, the scenery is great, and isolation is built in. Because of a more inward focus perhaps, there were far more wildlife encounters/ sightings than usual. Here are snapshots in time that capture the essence of 2020.
Highlights included: I lost James (15 year old Angora goat) to heart issues and gained a lot of Canada Goose friends (learned a lot about them – subject of another blog entry wip!). Re-did the pasture fences to fence out the areas now too wet for ruminants (meningeal worm) and began returning the soggy areas to wetland habitat for wildlife. Lots of fox, skunk family, and baby racoon interactions this year. Ghost (hen) got nabbed by a grey fox while out in the grass but I ran to the rescue and she put up a good fight. Once I found a specialty bandage she couldn’t pull off she healed up quickly and is no worse for wear!
 Sanguinaria canadensis (Bloodroot) |
 Violets and Spring Beauties |
 Toad Lilies |
 Dogwoods in Bloom |
 Goslings Playing in Rain Puddles |
 Tater in Lawn |
 Fence Replacement Project – James at Log Pile |
 Fence replacement project in progress |
 Snapping Turtle Digging Under the Fence |
 Who let a fawn on our property? |
 Fawn Standing on Island |
 Fawn looking for grey fox that keeps chasing it |
 OZ spots an airplane while hanging with his best bud the water dish (Temporarily orphaned) |
 Rowboat Family Looking for Snacks |
 Doo – Special Needs Goose (Missing Over Half His Bill) |
 Morning glories Take Over the Garden Fence |
 Tiny spiders on Queen Anne’s Lace |
 Butterflies on Joe Pye Weed |
 Fog on Fall Foliage |
 Evening fall fog looking back at pond |
 Fall Foliage Near Creek on East Side of Pasture |
 Red Fox passing through, no squirrels! |
And then there was the time the red fox ran off with my mitten when I was standing less than 15 feet away! |
 Red Fox near bird feeders stalking squirrels |
 Pine Siskins and female Evening Grosbeak |
Pine Siskins and Evening Grosbeaks are rarely seen in this region. They only show up here when there is a food shortage in their native region. First time I’ve seen Evening Grosbeaks here (23 years). There were crowds of both for a short time. |
 Pine Siskins
|
 Rowboat Family |
 Snow at Pond – Deer on Hill |
 Water Fall Family – Doo closest |
 Doo |
 Hoar Frost on Plants |
 Water Fall Family ex Doo (Poppa closest, Momma left, Scooby back right) Chilling on Top of Snow Bank |