Spring has always been my favourite season. I like Fall too, but I love spring. Spending most of my life in a place where Spring things happen pretty much immediately after Christmas has casued me to take it for granted. Snowdrops bloom in January, daffodils are doing their thing in February, and April is for tulips. But not here.
Spring in Lone Butte arrived, in my eyes at least, today. Because this morning, there were leaves on the aspen trees! Things are getting green. Spring in Lone Butte is something you anticipate. And wait for. And search for tiny hints and signs of its arrival. Willow branches began to redden in February. I saw a few pussy willows in late March. And now that it is finally here, I will savour every day of Spring.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Morning Cacaphony
There’s not much better than being outdoors first thing in the morning with a hot mug of tea, and listening to the birds. And what a racket they were making this morning. All the larger varieties seemed to be going at it at once. Pairs and trios of Canada geese kept flying overhead in full voice, the sandhill cranes in the meadow were having long loud conversations, and a pair of ravens seemed to be trying to drown everyone else out. The robins and chickadees were trying to keep things a little more melodic.
Unfortunately, the hawks who were setting up house in the tree by the back fence have found other accommodation, and while we miss them, it’s nice to hear the songbirds again. Things were eerily quiet when the hawks were in residence.
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The last week and a half has been a bit of a blur to us. We’re so appreciative of, and grateful to all our family and friends who have been so very supportive through a difficult time. Allegro’s funeral was lovely, and the church overflowed with people who came to honour him.
After three quick trips to the coast, things now seem to be returning to normal, and we’re spending our days outside, mostly burning stumps and debris from clearing. The tractor hasn’t arrived yet; the loader and backhoe attachments have to be shipped from Ontario. It should be delivered around the 10th, we hope.
Stu was asking about burning. To burn large slash piles, you need to obtain a permit for industrial burning, through the Ministry of Forests. There are numerous regulations to follow, and you are only allowed to burn on days when the venting index is good, and is forecast to be good the following day. We’re expecting a ban on industrial burn piles very soon – we have a lot left to burn in the east corner, but this will have to wait till fall, or till there’s snow on the ground. Small fires are allowed without permit provided you have a water source handy and don’t burn near trees etc. We have 300’ feet of hose at the ready. These fires can continue until a complete burning ban is in place.
I have more to say, but will come back this evening. The rain has stopped, and I have a fire to tend.
Unfortunately, the hawks who were setting up house in the tree by the back fence have found other accommodation, and while we miss them, it’s nice to hear the songbirds again. Things were eerily quiet when the hawks were in residence.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The last week and a half has been a bit of a blur to us. We’re so appreciative of, and grateful to all our family and friends who have been so very supportive through a difficult time. Allegro’s funeral was lovely, and the church overflowed with people who came to honour him.
After three quick trips to the coast, things now seem to be returning to normal, and we’re spending our days outside, mostly burning stumps and debris from clearing. The tractor hasn’t arrived yet; the loader and backhoe attachments have to be shipped from Ontario. It should be delivered around the 10th, we hope.
Stu was asking about burning. To burn large slash piles, you need to obtain a permit for industrial burning, through the Ministry of Forests. There are numerous regulations to follow, and you are only allowed to burn on days when the venting index is good, and is forecast to be good the following day. We’re expecting a ban on industrial burn piles very soon – we have a lot left to burn in the east corner, but this will have to wait till fall, or till there’s snow on the ground. Small fires are allowed without permit provided you have a water source handy and don’t burn near trees etc. We have 300’ feet of hose at the ready. These fires can continue until a complete burning ban is in place.
I have more to say, but will come back this evening. The rain has stopped, and I have a fire to tend.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Big Smoke
It has been a productive week, clearing, burning & fencing. The posts are all in & we're ready to start putting the page wire on. There's an area for a corral, and for a dog run. Once the fencing is done, the next project is the barn. 
Friday, April 14, 2006
Meet Rupert
Rupert is an 8 year old miniature donkey - he's going to be Buck's friend (and Mike's - they're very fond of each other already). He'll be coming to live with us as soon as our cross-fencing is done. Some of his hobbies appear to be rolling in mud and eating carrots. He's ever so cute.
Hawks
We have a pair of hawks nesting in an Aspen tree near our back fence!! We first saw them last weekend, but didn't know they were using the nest, which we first discovered last spring. It appeared to be abandoned. On Wednesday, we saw one of the pair carrying a stick to the nest, and they have been there ever since. They're very vocal. My project now is to identify the species. We're going to stay away from the area as much as we can, but need to go back there to untangle and remove some old barbed wire from a rotted fence before we bring Buck and "friend" home.
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