Farm Tour

A friend from Florida asked me in a Christmas card, what my farm looks like, since he thought the chances of him visiting were slim. So, on Christmas morning when I took my sweet dog Rudy on his morning walk, I also took along my new digital camera. Here is a pictorial record of what I see each morning when I walk.

Of course, the seasons change, the trees fill out and the pastures green up in the spring and summer, but in early winter it's brown and quiet. I find it relaxing after the riot of color and growth during the spring and summer.

I hope you enjoy the tour.
Cindy

This is the view of the porch and pasture I see out the window when I'm sitting at the computer.... where I spend a lot of time.

New Greenhouse The "new" greenhouse was built in the searing heat of summer of 2002 by a young woman helper and me. We did a great job and were so proud of ourselves.

My first greenhouse is still in operation, even though it needs a new front wall and doors. But, it's got electricity for heat mats and it's piped for water so I have misters inside for cuttings and seedlings. You can see winter greens and herbs that can grow outdoors here even in the winter.

Old Barn

The original barn still stands and is in use for hay storage and sometimes a tractor. There's an armadillo living underneath (see the red arrow?) that is digging up the area. He/she makes lots of little holes all over that are easy to step in an turn an ankle. We must have some good grubs in the soil around there. Two vultures nested in the barn last summer, and hatched 2 chicks. They were so cute, all tan and fuzzy and.... big! Now, there are 2 vultures using the barn again.

The missing boards in the upper window in the barn allows the vultures, and the occasional duck, access to the barn.

Rounding the barn, the chicken yard comes into view. Notice the grapefruit tree... and the grapefruit. The dead tree in the background is favorite spot for the resident vultures.

Chicken House Outside

The chicken house is secure against predators.... so far.

Poultry

The ducks and chickens live in harmony in their yard. The ducks have a wading pool, even so, some of them fly to the stock tank, as the big "ponds" are known as around here.

A close-up of the a grapefruit. Those of you in Florida might wonder about my obsession with this grapefruit tree. Well, it was started by seed over 10 years ago, I think, and this is the first year it's had fruit. I'm thrilled, as I love to eat grapefruit, and this is a nice light pink variety, not too sweet.

Calfs are so cute, even though they grow up into obstinate, rather dull cows.

View of Stock Tank

From the chicken yard I can see one of the stock tanks and cows.

Back in the yard, near the house and greenhouses is my wonderful water garden and fish pond. Notice the water spout in the background and the bright orange fish. There are also lots of frogs in this pond. And, we saw a snake a few months ago. No telling where the snake is now, but needless to say I haven't been wading in the pond lately!!

Okay, chores are done, so let's head out for the real Rudy walk, into the pastures and around the other stock tank. No telling what we'll see.

To continue the journey on Page Two, click here.