Autumn Color - Part 2

I was driving home from dropping Fergus and Seamus off at the groomer, and photographing the autumn color I saw along the way (see also Part 1, posted yesterday):

This corn field was half harvested, and a silage wagon stood waiting for the activity to begin again:

Yellow gold and green:

When I got to my own road, I knew of a small corn field surrounded by brilliant color and I was looking forward to photographing it. It had been recently harvested:

I parked next to the road and walked down the dirt lane to get a better look at the autumn color. Sometimes I walked out into the corn stubble to get a wider shot:

Spectacular color:

I'd thought this red was maple but when I got closer, discovered it was not. I didn't recognize the leaves, but a glimpse of the trunk suggested it was probably American Hornbeam, also called Musclewood because of its smooth, sinewy look:

I'd expected that this lane by the corn stubble would be spectacular, and it did not disappoint:

Oranges and reds:

And nearer the ground, there were plenty of purple New England Asters:

I stepped back into the corn field for this shot:

I was just leaving when I noticed this maple branch, a burst of electric color out of a wall of green:

Autumn Color - Part 1

I dropped Seamus and Fergus off at the groomer for their autumn haircuts. On the way home, I noticed what beautiful autumn scenery surrounded me, so I took a few detours in order to get some photos:

We were only at 40% color at the time according to the weather report, but it was glorious color:

I'd say that the woods bordering farm fields were more than 40% along:

These old hay bales appeared to have been there beside the road for years, but they framed the picture nicely:

One of the roads I took was called Pleasant Valley Road, which was fitting:

I've become adept at recognizing Roughleaf Dogwood in spring bloom and autumn color, even from a distance. That's it in the bottom right hand corner:

I took a detour though a tiny settlement called West Stockbridge and passed by this lovely lake:

The trees on the far side were beginning to take on color, and the lake itself was filled with Canada Geese and waterlilies:

The shoreline of the lake was home to New England Asters, dried Queen Anne's Lace and Cattails:

And the trees beside the lake were displaying lovely colors:

I took one last photo of the lake and then continued on my way:

Passing through farm country, I kept my eyes open for trees abutting hay fields and corn fields. But I knew there were even more colorful trees to be seen as I got closer to home, so I kept going. I'll post Part 2 tomorrow:

Around The Farm In December

Much of my focus is on hay these days, and it's fair to say that ALL of the herd's attention is on hay. How fresh it is (or is not), how much ice coats the bales, how much is left, when we will run out, is every animal getting what they need - plus storing it, moving it, unwrapping it - it's an all consuming subject these days (pun intended):

The sheep farmers up the road have been hauling the hay stems which their sheep ignored out to their field and dumping it, so this time they brought me a load to see if my animals would eat it:

The cows and Blue were afraid of the big, noisy truck and unknown people, but Remy got right in the way of everything:

The hay stuck in the bed and we had to move it with a pitch fork, but it turned out to be a considerable quantity. The next morning I went out to fork it into the bale feeder, only to discover it had mostly been consumed during the night. I guess my animals liked it:

I go out to do the chores when it is light out, but the sun is not yet risen over the horizon. The skies are beautiful and the sun is up by the time I'm finished:

The little hens seem happy and healthy:

They don't have much room, but they do have roosts and nest boxes - plus two screened windows which I open on mild days:

One of the elderly pigeons died yesterday, one of only three which have died since I began my flock years ago. I'd say they are long lived, healthy birds:

They eat the same layer pellets as the chickens. Now, if I could just keep the English Sparrows from getting in and eating it too:

I worry that the English Sparrows will spread diseases and parasites to my fantail pigeons, but so far they are looking healthy - and I am working hard to block the sparrows' entrances and to chase them out when I find the inside:

One day was devoted to spreading liquid manure on the corn field across the road from me. A giant tanker brought a big load and transferred it to two smaller tank trailers, pulled by tractors. It took many loads and all day to finish. You can see the darker colored swath which the first tanker load spread. Curiously, it didn't stink - probably because it was so cold:

Each new snow reveals fox tracks, so I know they come visit every night and circle my car, climb the stairs up to my porch, enter the barn and check out the hay bales. I think they are after the Cottontail Rabbits, whose tracks I also see each morning:

Garvin Road, Town Of Bangor, New York

I was driving home one day and passed Garvin Road, so I turned onto it and brought out my camera. The first place I came to was this handsome, old style farm, complete with dual silos and farm equipment:

And the corn crib out back was filled nearly to capacity. I wondered if they might have pigs, though I didn't see, hear or smell livestock of any sort:

This old barn and silo were rundown and I suspected they hadn't been used in years:

As I drove by, I could tell I'd been right. This barn has been out of commission for a long time:

A farm house, typical of the area:

Another old barn, also apparently no longer used:

People were still farming, though this corn field had not been harvested:

I took a close look at the once proud dairy farm sign on this barn and learned that it was once called Scattered Acres:

Farm equipment and baleage, with an outbuilding almost hidden behind the trees:

Barns, silo and grain bin, apparently no longer used:

Old fields, whose barbed wire and trees indicate that they once were pastures. Maybe they still are:

A small farm beneath big trees:

Coming closer to the above farm, it seemed as if no one lived there anymore but they were still harvesting firewood:

A sugar house. This is big maple syrup country. This is where I ended my driving tour, so I put my camera away and headed for home: