Spring?

 One day it is 40, the next is snowing. Then it's 40 again. That is the cycle we have been on this week.

 Looking at it glass 1/2 full, we need the moisture. Our pond is getting fuller and fuller. We have had years it is totally dry and years it has been over 8' deep. Right now, it is probably 2' deep. 

But according to the calender, spring is here. The turkeys are strutting, the bluebirds have returned, and the cows are dropping their calves. So yes, although it may not look like it every day, spring is here! Barb and I went for a walk so we could enjoy the springness (yes, another word I made up) in the air. 

These turkeys sure are strange looking birds. I've never really noticed but each of them have unique faces and characteristics all to their own as can be seen by these different birds. 

A couple of mature toms

A younger tom and a hen

We have about 7 toms and 40 hens that hang out on an almost daily basis. 

Turkey season opens here on April 4th. I have not gone out the last few years but I am thinking about it this year. No, I am not going to hunt these birds and to make it more challenging, I am going to use my bow. 

Barb and I have gotten out on a few walks around the property. We walked over to the neighbors to see the baby calves just in time to see this one taking its first steps! Sorry about the shot of the backend of the mother, but, that's nature at its finest!

Speaking of nature at its finest, check out this tree.  See those four individual trees in the center? Each are about 20' tall but are not individual trees at all, if you look closely they are actually upright branches coming off a tree that is bent over. Pretty amazing!

Our property is at 4900' but is also considered arid, well, maybe not arid by its strictest definition but it is drier than most of the other areas around. As such, we have cactus and yucca's throughout the property. Here is a shot of one of the many yuccas we have scattered around. 

We also have 4 bluebird houses scattered around. This past week, each of them have new residents. I cannot help but wonder if they are the same pairs year after year, or if they are random birds that just happen by. 

One day after working on the porch ceiling, we got out on a ATV ride into the National Forest. Not a long one, just long enough to enjoy what was left of the afternoon. 

We are always on the lookout for elk and deer antlers when we are out and about. Almost all the bulls and bucks have lost theirs but there are still a couple of stragglers out there like this guy who stopped by for a brief visit. 

We did manage to find one tiny little antler, about 4" long. Of all the antlers out there in the forest, we managed to find one of the smallest ones out there!

Work on the porch ceiling has been slow. We are getting there but I will save photos of that for when we are further along. 

What have the girls been up to lately? Well, Dakota loves to get out and explore with us. Well, except on the ATV which she is not a fan of. But she loves running around the woods. 

Zoey, although she loves getting out and running around, seems happiest on the couch snuggled up to a patch of sun. 

Meanwhile, out in Oregon, our granddaughter Lily got a backpack for Chloe who we affectionately just referred to as "The Doodle"

Have a great week!