New Sheriff in Town

We don't know where he came from, but when he waddled into town, the dynamics of the web footed flock changed dramatically.

I received a call while back at work from the boy, and he asked me-"do you know we have a new Muscovy in the back yard?"
The fact that he knew it was a Muscovy thrilled me, but no I knew nothing about it and "NO" I did not bring him home.

A friends, friend recently had dropped off 3 white and black Muscovies at our homestead and when I asked about this fourth mostly black duck, no one knew anything about him.

The timing was perfect, Swamp our beloved Swan had become somewhat of a bully and was on the verge of becoming a major nuisance.
Swamp had become insanely territorial, and it was very disturbing when he spent the entire day patrolling the river that flows by our homestead.

A family of Canada Geese, which I believe was our friend Venture the goose and his family, came for a visit to show off his new goslings.

Venture never got the chance because Swamp drove them from the area. Hopefully Venture will be back this fall to introduce his newest family members.

Part of Swamps self proclaimed territory included our yard and he would chase all geese, ducks, and Wilbur our hand raised White Embden goose who did not even know he was a goose was absolutely terrified and would hid behind me.

This all changed when the little homeless black Muscovy with the face only a mother Muscovy could love wanted to call this place home. Swamp decided he would turn his aggressive attitude toward this much smaller new arrival, but he was in for a surprise when this little guy came to the conclusion that maybe Swamp was in need of a little attitude adjustment.

I could not believe my eyes when I watched the Sheriff chase Swamp across the back yard, and another time Jeanne had to stop her car and get out because the little duck had the much larger Swan pinned to the ground on the side of the road.

Harmony has been restored and things are different. Swamp has a much sweeter attitude toward his web footed friends and Wilbur now knows he is a goose.
The flock of geese has accepted Wilbur into the flock and Wilbur now swims and travels on the river with them.

We don't know where the Sheriff came from, but he is welcome to stay if he wants.

Oliver's Visit

I can only think how proud and excited Jane and Albert would be, if they could have met Oliver, their first Great Grand-Child.

Grampa Willie introduces Oliver to Custard the Tortoise.

Muscle Eating Duck

First let me say that the baby Sweeney Ducks that hatched on the river this spring are doing wonderful. They are growing and return to the homestead a couple times a day, and so far all 12 babies are accounted for.

Jordan and I encountered something that I had never witnessed before, when we spotted one of the babies limping across the ground trying so hard to keep up with Momma Duck and it's eleven siblings.

I was able to scoop the baby up with a net before she could reach the river and found a Fresh Water Muscle clamped down tight on her foot.

I have no clue how long this muscle wound have remained attached to this little babe, but I would venture to guess it very well could have slowed her down enough that she would have become easy pickings for a Hawk, Owl, or almost anything else that might be looking for a easy meal.

So I get a warm fuzzy feeling inside when I can say, that with Jordan's help we were able to pry the clam off the little duckings foot and she promptly rejoined her Momma, and her brothers and sisters on the river.





And hopefully lives happily ever after.

To Bee Or Not To Bee

OK if you have not been convinced that maybe, just maybe I might have a few missing marbles, this might do it.

I was putting up a small section of siding on the house, and noticed a small hole that once was a water faucet, was now the entrance point for a very peaceful family of bumblebees.
This was located on our front porch and I would watch these little buzzing creatures come and go and no matter how much I disturbed them, they did not declare war on me and just flew around me to get to their home in the little hole that leads to the rafters in the basement.

Not wanting to displace our little black and yellow co inhabitants, I carefully marked the spot, and once the siding was up, I drilled a little hole in the siding and now they are free to come and go as they please.

Its not like they are mean, nasty Yellow Jackets.

Guest Writer

The boy woke this morning and informed me he wanted to post a story on the blog. I opened up word for him and let him have a go at it. I did not edit his words or spelling and just walked away until he was done.

Now the big question that I ask myself, Do I teach him how to use spell check on the computer?

I think not yet. I believe spell check will weaken his ability to think, to identify mistakes, to pay attention to detail, and to make corrections on his own. Why struggle and sound out a word if all you need to do is hit a button on your computer screen.

Another reason to avoid spell check, he is so darn cute when he is attempting to sound out a word.

My cuteness dissipated years ago so, I thank god for spell check.

Below is Tommy's first post.

Capt Rex

This is capting rex and he is a ball pithon and
Me and my unckl had to senck out to git
Him and when we came home moma
Was not happy because she does not
Like snakes.

He is brown and black he is cool.

The end