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Dora and the Explorers

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  Once we figure out the ringleader, we have a name for her! We let the sheep into the lane, thinking they could graze up and down the road and the small area around the septic field. This meant the front yard would be accessible, as well, but it would be fun to have the sheep grazing quietly in the area. We thought we had the back hill (above) and side orchard safely blocked. Not so! Our intrepid explorers found their way into most nooks and crannies.  Acting more like goats vs sheep they went up and down the hill, behind the bushes along the road (Dubya got concerned when they left his sight) and back up the hill. Dubya does seem to find them interesting. Before that, they made their way behind the truck and between the stored wire to the back hill (above) and into the orchard. They found their way INSIDE the fence around the new water tank by scaling the fairly steep hill at the end of the orchard. Scott had fenced off that hill from the lower side but since they came in fr...
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Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do!

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  Scott's sister Brooke and our niece Daisy came into town for a visit and to see Grandfather on his 97th birthday. Above, you can see the portraits Daisy made of everyone. Ditto below! Grandfather didn't catch the instructions to put up your image. Or chose not to. It was his birthday. I was taking the pics so here is mine. Daisy doesn't believe in modifying reality too much :( Evil child. We met Brooke and Daisy in Canberra. You can see how tall Daisy is getting (or how everyone else is shrinking). This was dinner at our lodging We headed off to Questacon the following morning. Daisy had a great time with a few of the exhibits, including this one of skulls. She also did the free fall drop and spent more time than we did in various sections (we went off for food and coffee).  Brooke seemed to like some of the exhibits too! I really like the marble sand activity (you can see Daisy leaving me behind) Scott liked the pool ball movement display (as did I) We had a couple of se...
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Now we bow our heads

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We (mostly Scott) have been digging up grass and moving dirt around. This has disturbed the insects and worms,  making the birds very happy. This jacky-winter was engrossed with what was happening below. Ditto with this superb fairy wren: The wrens (particularly this little male) have been getting very bold. In most area we have been, the female fairy wrens are the bold ones but not in this group. The male will hop on the picnic table while we are sitting there and focuses on where Scott sits in case he drops a potato chip again. He does often get to be the subject of my camera practice. due to his posing nearby.  This shot isn't as clear but I do think the blur captures more of their normal behavior! This thornbill obviously found something yummy This nankeen kestrel was likely looking for something a bit bigger when flying over the paddock We also have a new resident- the olive backed oriole is hopefully setting up residence near the creek. Definitely been voicing their thou...
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Are you my mother?

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  We have an echidna growing up on the farm! I first saw it down by the creek. I managed to scare it into the round ball below. Usually they burrow into the sand but this was clay so burrowing was hard.  After surviving the initial scare, it seems to have gotten very bold. We see it going up and down the road and wandering through the paddocks We have also seen an adult echidna but they do not travel together. These would be one of my favorite creatures! We also have substantial kangaroo families, but the youngsters stay pretty close to mom. This is the view from the kitchen window on many mornings. This youngster has only recently ventured out of the pouch, despite his size. He definitely knew who his mother was.  The juveniles (out of maternal protection) often have a big brother as care-taker. They do venture in other areas besides this spot bbehind the garden. This one was outside our bedroom one morning.  Another one stopped by the front door, seeming to want an...
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Old MacDonald Had a Farm

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  Meet "Dubya" - the newest addition to our farm. We now own six sheep and one horse.  Dubya is an ex-racehorse and was struggling to find the right place after his racing career petered out. He has great racing bloodlines. Officially known as "Streets of Dubai",  his sire was the famous stallion Street Cry, winner of the  $6 million Dubai World Cup. His dam was Hela Dubai. His great grandfathers include Mr. Prospector and Northern Dancer.  Street Cry also produced Zenyatta, Street Sense and Winx. Apparently they got the running genes and didn't leave much for him. Dubya raced 15 times and won once. He was retired from racing; apparently he just doesn't have the drive. Eventually he found his way to Rylstone where Scott's aunt and cousin live. Aunt Berenice remembered we eventually wanted to get horses so she did some matchmaking. James trains polo ponies so has a lot of horses on the land; however, Dubya needed more feeding than they did and James was w...
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