Birdsong and Sunshine

Beautiful summery sunshine was greeting us on Sunday morning yet again. The entire previous week had been one big blessing of summery warmth even though it is still spring.

The boys are happy in their new field where they enjoy a mix of grass and soaked hay. Their droppings look quite ok, in particular 'Mr F' seems to no longer having difficulties switching from winter food to summer food. This was a bit of a problem in the past when he would have runny business for weeks. Not only is it showing a digestive upset, it is also requiring increased hygiene treatment - a sponge and warm water. But this year we are both spared from this, thankfully.

It was already warm when I went to feed them at 6:30am. 

'Buttercup Farm' is surrounded by hundreds of happy birds willingly sharing their sing-song. It is so very peaceful! 

It was time to pick some dung.  Not only does it attract the flies but they also won't eat the grass where they have disposed of their droppings. Although the many beetles (dung beetles) and also the blackbirds are doing a great job in muck spreading, which helps keeping the pasture reasonably 'clean'.

'Luke' and 'Mr F' are having their breakfast while little 'Sam' stands and watches. He tends to get a little too fat in summer and so he doesn't get any food in the mornings. He waits till they have finished just in case he gets to have a go at licking the empty buckets. Not so today ...

.. and so little 'Sam' wonders off very purposefully, hoping to get to a good grazing spot before the 'big boy's come and take over.

 This piece of old tree trunk is my favourite spot to sit on and enjoy a cup of tea. They boys always come to say hello and they like to eat the bark or use it to attend some itchy spots, as 'Luke' is doing in the above photo.

I spend an hour or so picking their droppings; enjoying the peace and the early morning sun.

Once done with my field maintenance I picked a spot to sit down for a little while. 'Mr F' joins me and lay down next to me. We spend some time there together, just the two of us sitting and I was listening to the bird's sing song.

I notice 'Luke' looking at us, not quite sure what to make of it. Eventually he comes sauntering over to examine the situation. He gives 'Mr F' a nudge (are you ok?) and then lies down at the far end next to 'Mr F'.

Little 'Sam' is a bit further away, still eating grass. But he too comes over to us and to my surprise lays down too, next to me on the other side.

'Mr F' meanwhile is very chilled and his head is dropping sideways as his muscles loosen. Then, with one big sigh, he goes flat on his side. I did wonder for a bit if I might be better off moving as he was now very close and had twitchy legs. But the moment was so peaceful, so beautifully pure and I decided to just let it all 'be'. I lost track of time ...

 

 

'Mr F' was too close to get all of him on the mobile phone camera. He was clearly in a peaceful place.

Little 'Sam' also joining us ...