A Winter's Day

The old henyard is looking pretty depressing again, after a week of sub-zero temps. 

The ducks are NOT happy. 

They are eating feed, but they are not happy about not going out into the pasture. 

Tomorrow, they go. 

I was gone all day today again. 

You see that I made them a barricade from the north wind, but in truth...

they are sleeping here:

On the south side of the henhouse, in the bed of prairie hay and straw I put there for them. If you look at the tree in the middle, you'll see Cinnamon and Spice. 

They did go in the "duck house"... the large doghouse you see in the top picture, which was made for our former ducks... on the nights when it started to plunge.  That's why I put the bales of straw there, for a windbreak. 

This plucky little girl, Abby... is feeling so much better after her dental procedure last week. The vet had told me before Christmas that he felt she was being made sick by the bad teeth... and I can tell you that she has been full of vinegar after the teeth came out (5).  One was very badly infected.  She has taken all her 

antibiotics, and you see she is eager to get back to the business of being the Associate Protector of Us All. 

I did not let the birds out of the henhouse today because it was still cold this morning, though for the next five days we are going to the 40's! 

Here's the other reason the birds from the old henhouse were not released:

And the ducks were not let out in the pasture. 

I got the binocs out, and I believe it is an owl. 

A big owl.  I saw his head swivel around to look behind him. 

He was there again this afternoon when I got home from the hospital. 

A better shot of the buds, and the clearing skies. 

However, we are under a winter advisory until morning, because of a wintry mix of rain/snow. 

THEN the forties for the next few days. 

'

But sunset tonight was beautiful, and I have had time these last few days to look at seed catalogs while sitting with my brother, and decide what to fill those beds in this picture this year. 

I apologize for not getting around to everyone's blogs... I'll try to do so tomorrow... 

Thanks from my heart for all your comments.