Feathered glimpses

Glimpses of feathers:

Plus the arrival of a flatpack pig ark

February Sunshine

Through the kitchen window this morning

and through the other window

Trios in the sun

Foundations dug, the only way is up for the piglet nursery

Meanwhile in the sun

and pink sky at night…

Fabulous February

The old view of February is cruel, bleak and frozen but in these uncertain times we have been rejoicing in more sunlight than has been available for the last quarter year.

So as the second full moon of the year fills the sky

life flourishes on Primrose Bank

in spite of the visitors

Today’s view through the kitchen window

Down in the bottom field Spot keeps watch

is it a rugby pitch?

is it a giant picture frame?

whatever it is basic tools are slowly digging those holes

The birds are performing various courtship dances

or just fuelling up

Pethan eraill yn y tyddyn heddiw:

Things growing through things

Today we have been mainly watching things growing through other things:

We have also been looking into the distance

Digging holes

and buying a new wheelbarrow

Other things we have seen today:

Feathered things in slightly different places

Different place (1): The neighbouring field

Today the ducks decided they would leave home and head for pastures new

They did not get far

before being returned home

Different place (2): On top of the hen run

The pheasants decided to line up there

Different place (3): Back of a chair

Fanny is finding it hard to find impressive places to crow from

Different place (4): Today’s through the window picture

Pethan eraill yn y tyddyn heddiw:

A February Day

Spot:

insists she needs to be eating for thirteen

and gives encouragement as foundations are dug for her deluxe nursery

The spring flowers are slightly confused as the coldest night of the year so far follows the recent mild weather

Floppy enjoys strutting his new pen

and the Visiting Hen scavenges on a dead chaffinch

and later visits a soft-shell egg left by a learning-to-lay duck in the hedgerow

Tits continue to swarm the feeders

In the surrounding fields the sheep are being brought down for their scans

We are wondering about a horse…. we have got this far

Pethan eraill yn y tyddyn heddiw:

Feathers in the Sun

Some of the bird life at Gribin Isaf today as the February sun shone down:

and some other things:

Draining the juices

The compost toilet

works on aerobic digestion so too much fluid in the bin is not a good idea. Periodic draining needs to take place

with the juices going into here

Today’s offering from the hens:

Through the kitchen window this morning:

Pethan eraill yn y tyddyn heddiw:

Feeling the pressure

Pressure is rising

and the air is still

The raven passes by

and the ducks take their morning bath

The next door hen inspects the woodshed

and kindling is collected

We have learned more new skills in the last twelve months than probably in the last twelve years. This week it is how to lay out a building construction using batter boards

Pethan eraill yn y tyddyn heddiw:

Light and Shade

The clouds clear and the sun shines through, a rare occurrence in recent months, bringing back the half-forgotten sight of light and shadows

The mountains are revealed

and the flat world takes on new dimensions

Growth around lights up

Birds take on a new hue

and the local starling flock pause in the Ash to absorb the warmth

The visiting hen takes a sunbath, then a dustbath

and visits the ducks

before walking home back up the lane

Down in the meadow work starts on the pig nursery – only 80 days to go

Pethan eraill yn y tyddyn heddiw: