Moving Into Autumn On The Farm

The New England Asters which grow beneath some apple trees put on an especially impressive show this year:

And a few dramatically tall and shapely mushrooms sprang up in the unmowed lawn:

I'd thought the Rugosa Roses were finished blooming, but they began to bloom once again in September:

And the old fashioned rose which I saved also began blooming again:

Asiatic Lilies bloom in June - and they always have. Yet one day I was shocked to see bright red lilies blooming in my new little rock garden. They were about three times bigger, taller and more prolific than my other lilies, not to mention their vibrant color:

I'd kept the labels from the bulbs I planted in the spring, so I checked them and learned that these were Dolly Madison hybrid Asiatic Lilies - and they bloom both spring and autumn:

Two more fantail pigeon babies made it past the feathering stage:

The nest was close to the floor and the babies began wandering out of it. I carried them back and their parents immediately began feeding them "pigeon milk:"

They are pretty homely as babies, but their parents love them:

All summer long, as I mowed along the fence line, I'd see miniature pink flowers in the grass near a telephone pole. I'd plan to photograph them after mowing, but then learned that I'd chopped off the flowers. Finally, thinking it might be my last chance for the year, I stopped and took photos so I could identify them:

I almost gave up the search for their identity, but then found an online explanation of how their classification and scientific names were changed in 2004, many decades after my field guide was published. I found a perfect match in photos, then learned that they were a European species. Then I found a website which showed how they'd recently spread to much of the U.S., particularly in the northeast. They are European Centaury, a tiny member of the Gentian family. They bloom prolifically and I read that they are annuals, in spite of their taproot. It seems they'd make a great terrarium plant if only they were perennials:

My neighbor brought over what was probably the last load of grass clippings for the year. Remy was there in a flash, determined to get his fill before the pushy cows arrived. Jasmine, my sweetest cow, got there soon also, and probably for the same reason:

Clear Pond Loop - Part 2

The dogs and I were hiking the perimeter of Clear Pond, in the White Hill Wild Forest, and had reached about the halfway point (see also Part 1, posted yesterday). The dogs were even more excited than usual and they were having fun:

I was also happy to be outdoors in a beautiful natural setting in such fine autumn weather:

When we saw a place to walk down to the water's edge once again, we took it:


I was just thinking how it was a shame I'd missed the flowering time for the little white orchids I saw last year, when I saw a whole field of them (mixed in with other fall wildflowers):

These little native orchids are called Nodding Ladies'-Tresses, and I find them fascinating:

We explored the shoreline briefly:

Daphne walked out to some rocks for a better look at the scenery or, more likely, hoping to find something dead and stinky:

We were all getting a bit tired by now, and Clover and Seamus waded into the cool, clean water to refresh themselves:

And there was a bit of horseplay between Clover and Daphne, AKA "The Silly Sisters:"

Even Jack went into the water of Clear Pond:

We were by this time approaching our starting point, and the trail took us back into the forest. I was startled to see these sizeable, red mushrooms:

We reached our car but the dogs ran past it, beginning once again the trail we'd just finished. I called and whistled until they came back, and then we began our return trip home. It's a short drive, and three miles of it is in the White Hill Wild Forest. The dogs watched the passing scenery as we drove home:

Clear Pond Loop - Part 1

The lawn needed mowing and some trees needed pruning, but it was such a lovely autumn day that I decided to forego all work and take the dogs hiking. We hadn't been to the White Hill Wild Forest recently, so I drove there, parked and let the dogs out at Clear Pond. Of course they ran straight to it and Jack lifted his leg on the bench the rangers had built:

I usually walk along the northwestern shore, but that would mean every photo of the lake would be aimed straight into the morning sun. So instead, I led the dogs out along the southeastern shore. Alas, it was so near noon that I had a lot of trouble with the sun anyway, and it bleached out many photos taken from lots of angles. But I got lots of usable pictures and the dogs were wildly happy to be running through the forest again:

I decided to let them run and not yell at them for getting too far ahead of me. Alas, my intended kindness backfired, as they seemed to think they were given free rein to run amok. In the end, I had to yell at them a lot - not that they minded. They stop when I yell "Stop!" and return to me when I yell "Come here!" but my anger doesn't seem to hurt their feelings. Apparently they think that's just how I talk when hiking:

There were not many easy access points to the water, but those we found caused great joy. Clover and Jack, not normally water dogs, even waded out into Clear Pond:

And some spots were absolutely gorgeous and peaceful:

The trail took us up away from the water's edge and into the forest:

And then back to the water again. Clover and Daphne climbed up on some overturned tree roots:

And then away from the water and back into the forest again:

I had never taken this trail any farther than this but it was so pleasant that I decided to keep going. That was just fine with the pooches, who responded with more running:

We seemed to have rounded the far end of Clear Pond and, I assumed, this was a loop trail which would take us back to our starting point:

I spotted some small, red mushrooms, a color so vibrant I don't think I could have missed them among the dead brown leaves on the forest floor:

And the dogs were having fun. They'd run ahead, I'd call them back, they'd run ahead, I'd call them back. They get a lot more mileage that way than I do:

This loop was taking much longer than I'd anticipated, but it was marked and I never lost sight of Clear Pond, so I wasn't too worried. When I got home, I checked a map and learned that we'd walked around the edge of large projection of Clear Pond which I hadn't realized was there. We were only about halfway at this point, and I'll post Part 2 tomorrow:

Snapshots From A House Full Of Pets

With five dogs and five cats in the house, it's never too peaceful or free of floating pet hair. This photo was taken at the bottom of the stairs, where Daphne, Daisy, Clover and Seamus were collected. Behind them, in the kitchen, were Fergus and, barely visible in the corner, Bugsy:

 The kitchen corner is and probably always will be the most popular spot in the house and the best place for photos (except that it's not well lit, even with the floor lamp). This collection is Rocky, Seamus, Fergus and Clover:

 When I go upstairs, I am preceded by Jack, Fergus, Daphne and Clover. They wait for me and for Seamus. Both of us are becoming rather slow in our old age:

 Seamus and Bramble in the farm house kitchen:

 Again in the kitchen corner: Daphne, Clover, Fergus and Rocky:

 Daisy, one of the cats who was dumped off at my barn. She became very ill and I struggled for months to save her. She seems healthy now except that her infected eye is still a bit misshapen and she sometimes rasps when she breathes. But she's active and happy and certainly gaining weight:

 A kitchen corner collection of Daphne, Bugsy, Clover, Rocky and Seamus, with Jack and Daisy nearby:

 Fergus and Clover on the bed I made out of a big laundry bag filled with pillows:

 Daphne, peeking out from behind a kitchen chair, with Bramble hiding back by the water bowl:

 Bugsy, the former kitten who was dumped at my barn along with Daisy. He's now a teenager, full of mischief and sometimes affectionate, sometimes not - but always playful:

 Daphne, Clover, Fergus, Seamus and Rocky:

 Seven out of ten pets: Daphne, Seamus, Clover, Bugsy, Rocky, Jack and Fergus. The only ones missing in this snapshot were Georgette, Daisy and Bramble:

Red Cows On Green Pastures

The Red Poll girls are, I hope, pregnant and they look as if they may have lost a small amount of their excess weight. In general, they are a beautiful sight as they graze in the south field:

Violet is the cow who, we think, had a mummified fetus inside her. She had a hormone shot to cause her to expel it (though I don't know if it worked) and spent two months with a bull. If she's not pregnant now, I guess I'll call the vet back:

No one would accuse me of underfeeding my cows, would they? They are still pretty darn fat:

They are a cohesive herd and seem to look out for each other. I suspect it would not go well if I brought a new cow into the pasture:

Amy and Jasmine, wondering what I'm up to:

Grazing over by the town road, where the ground is wet and the vegetation is not as tasty:

Violet again. That fatty thing hanging from her chest is the brisket, and hers is so big that I know she needs to lose more weight. It's not quite as big as it used to be, though:

Gracie, another full figured gal:

Jasmine seems to have some arthritis in one leg so spends a lot of time lying down. On this day, she was miserable because there were so many flies. I tried rubbing them off, but it did no good. Our weather will be cooling on Thursday, after which all the animals will be more comfortable:

Grazing near the gravel road, where they attract a lot of attention from passersby:

They frequently stand close together and use each other to rub the flies off. I guess that must be a bonding experience as well as a fly chasing technique:

Gracie looks thinner in this picture. She also is showing the whitish tail tassel which is the easiest way to tell that she is a Red Poll and not a Red Angus: