tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58935955252350556362024-02-19T00:59:01.478-08:00Czar of the Woods Farmeric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.comBlogger170125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-66042612149715729872014-06-29T18:57:00.001-07:002014-06-29T19:03:09.214-07:00New Fire Pit: Designed and Built by Me...<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #444444; line-height: 18px;">New Fire Pit I designed and built: 6 ft across, 1.5 ft deep, all boulders curated from our property, busted up concrete as a base and planted some ornamental grasses (of course!) along the back 1/4 which creates a nice backdrop.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyp6dAJ8n2UKfipijORsl65Qx_NhvXgzn4a5EgyVdU4XR2dLKTkxSxgOe8E_AWQcCRescU95xlLbH9zmLUW4vNyGScehqDUSJHDzutiAeKHrKh5Y5WMcX2PevvDgl3zIsGh-xLRTAJSLdt/s1600/fire+pit+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyp6dAJ8n2UKfipijORsl65Qx_NhvXgzn4a5EgyVdU4XR2dLKTkxSxgOe8E_AWQcCRescU95xlLbH9zmLUW4vNyGScehqDUSJHDzutiAeKHrKh5Y5WMcX2PevvDgl3zIsGh-xLRTAJSLdt/s1600/fire+pit+1.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23lne9AnvIJQrA-A6DYVJ4wer9nBoCY_iQhchuOBWunEy2tyHDPu6TQLckx0wLYbffXY62HlT1xOu28HQAqplouVi6oNeoOiXFdEAd8l6-FO_3gKETAD0gajOr5QIYynWIcY72Pvbclc0/s1600/fire+pit+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23lne9AnvIJQrA-A6DYVJ4wer9nBoCY_iQhchuOBWunEy2tyHDPu6TQLckx0wLYbffXY62HlT1xOu28HQAqplouVi6oNeoOiXFdEAd8l6-FO_3gKETAD0gajOr5QIYynWIcY72Pvbclc0/s1600/fire+pit+2.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifX_4PEDz1z3x1h3ReVrwL-5TEb0fVC55J05_DV2CKspLii7G4FW2N9VqHgZ9dDHIOTNr8j4ngSELVoFW6wwUHOf2sEIfHURKU5BgqljspKIZLOPAUUMVTUOlB1qsWl-XLySmpDLNBvQpl/s1600/fire+pit+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifX_4PEDz1z3x1h3ReVrwL-5TEb0fVC55J05_DV2CKspLii7G4FW2N9VqHgZ9dDHIOTNr8j4ngSELVoFW6wwUHOf2sEIfHURKU5BgqljspKIZLOPAUUMVTUOlB1qsWl-XLySmpDLNBvQpl/s1600/fire+pit+3.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-77062811557961956462012-11-12T20:04:00.002-08:002012-11-12T20:27:00.669-08:00Honeybees Loving the Abnormally Nice November WeatherYesterday the temps here were in the 70's! For November in the Buffalo area this is almost unheard of and the bees took full advantage of it. The day prior the temps were in the 30's and the bees were no where to be found. That was not the case yesterday. The bees were going absolutely wild. Sadly at this time of year there is little food to be found as flowers are gone meaning there is no nectar or pollen either. The bees couldn't have cared less and will have plenty of food on the honey that they made this year. Again, they were going crazy. Enjoy the video that I took.<br />
<br />
<br />
<center>
<iframe width="525" height="424" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/peBGA1RQrCQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</center>
eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-2783678828481309542012-08-23T22:15:00.000-07:002012-08-24T14:12:54.403-07:00Late Summer Beehive Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnx1JPsIaKpGrKqb_o_6Wc935GpZJMNlHIH7LDrgITqeLKmYEuJywIowFiTpQhJYTe08vZ8jM4WoQNrJFpP3vrZ6K7pVrci2V6Fp8tzR3epFD1V7sAv5WOBTvmfy-IKFkLpQksZZKBVQRt/s1600/IMG_2811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnx1JPsIaKpGrKqb_o_6Wc935GpZJMNlHIH7LDrgITqeLKmYEuJywIowFiTpQhJYTe08vZ8jM4WoQNrJFpP3vrZ6K7pVrci2V6Fp8tzR3epFD1V7sAv5WOBTvmfy-IKFkLpQksZZKBVQRt/s640/IMG_2811.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The bees have been hard at work all summer, a very hot, humid and dry summer at that. Perfect for bees! The hive is almost 2 years old now and I fully expected there to be honey and sure enough there was when I opened the hive for inspection the other day. <br />
Spring and early summer's flowers have nectar flowing which allows the bees to make honey whereas most of the summer there are no nectar producing plants in this area. The next round of nectar producing flowers will be golden rod that is just starting to bloom and will soon make the bees drunk on both pollen and nectar. I will remind you that nectar is 70% water and 30% sugar and the bees have worked at it all summer to flip those number by drying the nectar turning it to 70% sugar and 30% water which is actual honey. The bees have also capped a good portion of what they made for storage. The frames with capped honey are quite heavy. And those with uncapped honey glisten in the late day, late summer sun. Simply gorgeous. There was something quite hypnotic and peaceful about opening the hive to find very mellow bees that seemed to be enjoying summer as much as I was. I barely needed the smoker to calm them. All in all the hive looks good. <br />
There are 10 frames in each of the upper "super" boxes where the honey is made and the bees had filled about 2/3 of each. Interestingly though they fill the middle frames and leave the outer frames. My friend Steve tells me that they prefer to move up when completed with a frame rather than out. I simply did some re-arranging in hopes of getting them to use more of the frames now that the golden rod is about to put them into overtime.<br />
I doubt that I will extract any honey from the hive this year even though it is so strong but in my opinion not quite strong enough and I really want them to have a nice supply for winter. Perhaps next year. For me bee-keeping is a hobby and I have no intentions of selling the honey. We would use it here for ourselves only and if I have any leftover my friend Timm wants to make some mead (beer made from honey) with it. I truly love the fact that this hive is doing a very small part in making the environment better. Remember that without bees our food supply in fruits and veggies would not exist. Think of what that would do to both humans and other animals.<br />
Side note: all those nasty ground "bees" (most likely hornets) that you are finding in your yard that are uber aggressive are not honeybees and are not as important to our eco-system. They are nasty hornets that will attack and sting without much warning. If they pose any threat to you, your family or pets take them out.<br />
<br />
The first 2 photos and the 1 at the top are of unfilled comb. It is stunning in its beauty and complex simplicity (think about that).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rlA9bdbPoaPZYFFvsT1wGwpzMUEMiFx3zMjwe4j5jBpl49UyPjfC3C7uXitFnaBn78nW5c1lGKMt1pS_fTZBm8v53T97FlXK-hvmG6mJ4xJlj-6njSWGvJ7U3soXF4saTFlqx1Rd_DWD/s1600/IMG_2809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rlA9bdbPoaPZYFFvsT1wGwpzMUEMiFx3zMjwe4j5jBpl49UyPjfC3C7uXitFnaBn78nW5c1lGKMt1pS_fTZBm8v53T97FlXK-hvmG6mJ4xJlj-6njSWGvJ7U3soXF4saTFlqx1Rd_DWD/s400/IMG_2809.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-sku4vXE9mNtJ5LU49h_EZccPjoHXISVxhVzLTkTOPib4azbq6ArYv_g7wA9BZ8QvtNdWfU-pwzax4lHyIVMDypH9Ve83B-juzIr72kpXuja8bJfGIJPMCzTa8_mvLePdb5I2Z_CvJAI/s1600/IMG_2810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-sku4vXE9mNtJ5LU49h_EZccPjoHXISVxhVzLTkTOPib4azbq6ArYv_g7wA9BZ8QvtNdWfU-pwzax4lHyIVMDypH9Ve83B-juzIr72kpXuja8bJfGIJPMCzTa8_mvLePdb5I2Z_CvJAI/s400/IMG_2810.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWru2cgnwfKjrU83u5z_V1DuI7RcM6XTRu3Sx93JxKdGs6LdEqESFcF11opgRI2rihZed6qa5QY8bcvkfil0TeKykQWjF_TbZFWYxV8jLPYRQ5twZPX5gpRBedX6Zhrbv2lzIMH0yh5E0M/s1600/IMG_2813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWru2cgnwfKjrU83u5z_V1DuI7RcM6XTRu3Sx93JxKdGs6LdEqESFcF11opgRI2rihZed6qa5QY8bcvkfil0TeKykQWjF_TbZFWYxV8jLPYRQ5twZPX5gpRBedX6Zhrbv2lzIMH0yh5E0M/s400/IMG_2813.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkyunpMjRi2TlmY6D9Kw-wW-X2sZEuFWK34jaWs3xRDjp9cTksBSqAoWEqtsqqTN17XJj-p95ozZzUzom6UWdFS7nKjU52lZj-2hj8J2xz7_0jMDyzuZOrRA8KVG6z_s1IG1HV1KQo9aQ/s1600/IMG_2815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkyunpMjRi2TlmY6D9Kw-wW-X2sZEuFWK34jaWs3xRDjp9cTksBSqAoWEqtsqqTN17XJj-p95ozZzUzom6UWdFS7nKjU52lZj-2hj8J2xz7_0jMDyzuZOrRA8KVG6z_s1IG1HV1KQo9aQ/s400/IMG_2815.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Here in the upper left you can see where the bees have capped the honey. The lower right is what the beautiful golden honey looks like prior to capping. The smell is intoxicating.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPjErJ9WYN6yaTyDA_K9316Jf16DqHdrh_8gKq-lEOHcwq2sQmW-6fZbD6yu6O-MFdy3XYa9_YlXKIBrzdDDXuy-8B9fqGuHLnG6nFg9mPaoKDrDJIbrDWPWkd6KXIylrSgWDnOTOay-s/s1600/IMG_2817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPjErJ9WYN6yaTyDA_K9316Jf16DqHdrh_8gKq-lEOHcwq2sQmW-6fZbD6yu6O-MFdy3XYa9_YlXKIBrzdDDXuy-8B9fqGuHLnG6nFg9mPaoKDrDJIbrDWPWkd6KXIylrSgWDnOTOay-s/s400/IMG_2817.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYXKPc3pwh8Mh4wHk28hb6rnyI3FFADEHWcvD0MKRb0QfmJ6E2hbf_W_E4x3VJ0kvovBgp_OFJOqJ9K6PccGTk1xgvbNnK3VSGMPZrlnxSOiA7wC7LzhMGBktGBXVP-I0W59k_6BWCL48/s1600/IMG_2820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYXKPc3pwh8Mh4wHk28hb6rnyI3FFADEHWcvD0MKRb0QfmJ6E2hbf_W_E4x3VJ0kvovBgp_OFJOqJ9K6PccGTk1xgvbNnK3VSGMPZrlnxSOiA7wC7LzhMGBktGBXVP-I0W59k_6BWCL48/s400/IMG_2820.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
In this photo looking down into the hive between frames you can see just how close together they are. The frames become connected as the bees "glue" the frames together using a substance they make called propolis. I have to use a hive tool that looks like a paint scraper or chisel to separate and move them around. The glue is VERY strong!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbaVqkbPRmpQt07B51-yYrdpaKByQfIVY3XC0L5I2RQmg9GRuGJwAU-VBvXZ5Wgq7xTINH7PZNGXPSrInNZl9szW0JFEXPMyxEfSsAHWs5hrTGCryrVKykjc2JKaOi_rmg2X1wq9_4_JV/s1600/IMG_2825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbaVqkbPRmpQt07B51-yYrdpaKByQfIVY3XC0L5I2RQmg9GRuGJwAU-VBvXZ5Wgq7xTINH7PZNGXPSrInNZl9szW0JFEXPMyxEfSsAHWs5hrTGCryrVKykjc2JKaOi_rmg2X1wq9_4_JV/s400/IMG_2825.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
This frame probably weighed at least 5 pounds as it was full of capped honey. These bees couldn't have cared less that I was pulling the frames out, moving them around, etc. They didn't fly away but stayed on the frames continually doing their work.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJzLaqBOC2xcqRYHzCtT87zeD_qF5pVWeCZyp3X8KX5idN1AslSmXO8B8C_XObXIAaRVMKPWLGehun3laLwFnqPtQPMYuPPRwwRav3ltQwoC22ASjLt5XjHLJYZpPf8l-Y1GJ9cwyOvtW/s1600/IMG_2829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJzLaqBOC2xcqRYHzCtT87zeD_qF5pVWeCZyp3X8KX5idN1AslSmXO8B8C_XObXIAaRVMKPWLGehun3laLwFnqPtQPMYuPPRwwRav3ltQwoC22ASjLt5XjHLJYZpPf8l-Y1GJ9cwyOvtW/s400/IMG_2829.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH47QgJ_NtxpPT7NbJVf5k0VIjdJEXEfzhPFX1qlfdNUlV6sQWseCoR_FNLcRRfnpd0dgGNmgiALsRzRZu_FE0S4vt-uNz_Y5EKMnIXqhHuE-inEy8DscVwOCJcUcssjMmaxQ0U9PG2WGf/s1600/IMG_2830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH47QgJ_NtxpPT7NbJVf5k0VIjdJEXEfzhPFX1qlfdNUlV6sQWseCoR_FNLcRRfnpd0dgGNmgiALsRzRZu_FE0S4vt-uNz_Y5EKMnIXqhHuE-inEy8DscVwOCJcUcssjMmaxQ0U9PG2WGf/s400/IMG_2830.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
A side shot/end on shot of what the capped honey looks like.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSC-bS0cNqhvipJDFiSp75MKtDCWdNXNo8UX-_Wk5gd-028gHqY1y405X2fhHPER6CZO1WqvFBGp4O1hDqf445jROeDSbYOhmH8PG6ka0meGnNtqLjmpXpX5gkkQbzJIqUGHzyZPR7Oev/s1600/IMG_2831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSC-bS0cNqhvipJDFiSp75MKtDCWdNXNo8UX-_Wk5gd-028gHqY1y405X2fhHPER6CZO1WqvFBGp4O1hDqf445jROeDSbYOhmH8PG6ka0meGnNtqLjmpXpX5gkkQbzJIqUGHzyZPR7Oev/s400/IMG_2831.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-24630816257443420852012-07-15T15:16:00.000-07:002012-07-15T15:18:56.425-07:00Odd Bird! A Red Frizzle Cochin Bantam Chicken<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tLbJDl4AcuthlxSFKvef-Am_2fNMQoViTUtOTt9dT-J8VFuCmdBkIcJhIG619g-1k3urrdfaUOXcHKqkRdZgCLlHZSI4XEHlJxdGMNoXV5Mq_1NsqE3jf_KO0Tmt1QwtRpCzYViLsYPb/s1600/IMG_2387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tLbJDl4AcuthlxSFKvef-Am_2fNMQoViTUtOTt9dT-J8VFuCmdBkIcJhIG619g-1k3urrdfaUOXcHKqkRdZgCLlHZSI4XEHlJxdGMNoXV5Mq_1NsqE3jf_KO0Tmt1QwtRpCzYViLsYPb/s400/IMG_2387.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="266" /></a></div>
This is one of the chicks that we bought back in February, well actually it came free in the order. It is known as a Red Frizzle Cochin bantam. Our friend Megan ordered the same kind and for some reason they sent a second one along so I decided to keep that one. Randomly choosing this chick of the two we ended up with the hen and she ended up with a rooster. Who I'm told at a very young age of 4 months is already crowing and quite randy, looking for love. By chance we ended up with a hen. Roosters, unless you are raising baby chicks, aren't good for much so we lucked out and I do feel badly for Megan as she is the one who really wanted that type of chicken. At a day old there is really no way of telling the sex of this breed as they are too small and don't have sex specific characteristics as some breeds do so it really was luck. <br />
It is quite small and when we introduced the new chicks to the old chick flock, merging the two the chickens were dumb enough to think the others were there all along because they didn't look any different. Therefore there was no picking on the new girls. This one however looks different, a lot different, with her curly feathers so it was obvious to them that she was a new girl and just like middle school girls they picked on the odd looking one. Since then they seem to have eased up a bit.<br />
Email me at <a href="mailto:erickancar@yahoo.com">erickancar@yahoo.com</a> if you have any name ideas and we will consider them all.<br />
My wife Sarah is holding her in these photos and this is as big as she will get, bantam chickens are small.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxY4iVdcUo-KZsQ5DSuU0HRdSoRXZxNcVAb2ZaZVvJkzHipjba8iLwzqD3sGKwlYd86uA_qbAGZcXNQll36QjDs2O0xmGCtznhCn-eYXyPqSJpTd_Kc90846GfKuxUg9NCl71JXaIfNUV/s1600/IMG_2388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxY4iVdcUo-KZsQ5DSuU0HRdSoRXZxNcVAb2ZaZVvJkzHipjba8iLwzqD3sGKwlYd86uA_qbAGZcXNQll36QjDs2O0xmGCtznhCn-eYXyPqSJpTd_Kc90846GfKuxUg9NCl71JXaIfNUV/s400/IMG_2388.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
Love her "curly" feathers. She has hair just like me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylLp4f5Q3jC6zUzSX0cPp0nNKU4byCrrHFFXp_H_VS7Db2TrLLdaWQN8jfx-WpoPM_bwbhS5PNmPRt5qOWUYU52Y7myFvkwJFBK8J4A0jH0giejgZdu39D2F7vIYIEoHqOznUEfyYpjzJ/s1600/IMG_2391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylLp4f5Q3jC6zUzSX0cPp0nNKU4byCrrHFFXp_H_VS7Db2TrLLdaWQN8jfx-WpoPM_bwbhS5PNmPRt5qOWUYU52Y7myFvkwJFBK8J4A0jH0giejgZdu39D2F7vIYIEoHqOznUEfyYpjzJ/s400/IMG_2391.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-82171485236947484442012-07-01T19:28:00.000-07:002012-07-02T06:00:57.669-07:002 Become 1 or Trouble at the HenhouseIn the dark of night 2 flocks of chickens become 1. In order to introduce my new chicks (now 4 months and fully grown) into the main flock I moved them from <i>their</i> stall into the main coop in complete darkness. If they wake up and they (the new chickens) are already there this will allow the chickens to confusedly think the "impostors" were there all along. Chickens are sedate and somewhat stupid at night so this works. Otherwise they would probably kill the new ones. Felt a bit like Fantastic Mr. Fox as I snatched them up one by one to move them. Or perhaps Seal Team 6 (think stealth mode) as I worked by the light of my cell phone in complete darkness. In and out in 10 minutes tops, moving 11 chickens. The (almost?) full moon helped only a bit.<br />
The morning ought to be interesting and loud in the coop because while they are more accepting of new blood they still know that something is slightly off. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwm9Vglw6Zthup-r3Qt-mUoHcxS9UAi9Crdr5WU8ZGKPJf5sHSHvSWP5DFexthi2Jto2yxoIFmrsNLzuIFVY_Vh-rPF1eplRuIeyyalDUnULPjn6J7OWuicn_5v28eKeU9nO7xvwMmz1Y_/s1600/Fantastic-Mr-Fox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwm9Vglw6Zthup-r3Qt-mUoHcxS9UAi9Crdr5WU8ZGKPJf5sHSHvSWP5DFexthi2Jto2yxoIFmrsNLzuIFVY_Vh-rPF1eplRuIeyyalDUnULPjn6J7OWuicn_5v28eKeU9nO7xvwMmz1Y_/s640/Fantastic-Mr-Fox.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-48258921893631481552012-05-31T18:56:00.001-07:002012-06-01T19:39:09.693-07:00Mid to End of May at Czar of the Woods FarmMay has to be one of the most beautiful months there is. Everything is bursting with life and it simply put, it feels good to be alive. With the mild winter we had and unseasonably warm weather we had in March and April everything has sprung forth with life and become green faster than I can ever remember, complete with Alice in Wonderland sized weeds. In the 3 years that we have been on the farm I don't ever recall the pasture grass growing so high so quickly. I would imagine those that make hay might be able to get 3 cuttings in this year as opposed to the usual 2. Certainly good for those of us that have horses, etc. in that it might bring the cost down with supply being up. With the cost of fuel for tractors though it will still likely cost more than it did last year. A local hay farmer called me out of the blue the other day and asked me if I wanted to purchase some of his early cut bales. Sure do, the stuff is beautiful (he gave me a bale for the horses to try and they loved it)! <br />
<br />
Speaking of horses...on May 1st our boarder Divo left so that his owner could move him to a barn where her sister also boards and so that they could ride together. That same day we were lucky to have a new boarder arrive at the farm, Rocket; a 20 year old Quarterhorse who is absolutely wonderful in every way. Since Czar was so very attached to Divo I was worried that he would miss him so I made sure that Rocket arrived within a few hrs of Divo's departure so that Czar wouldn't have any time to miss Divo. You never know what to expect when 2 horses meet. Czar, is a 27 year old Arabian who is still very much full of life and still has a feisty side. For every horse he meets he wants to desperately be their buddy but in horses when this is the case it is often up to the other horse to decide and accept, or not. Luckily Rocket seems to be accepting of everything in life and is easily one of the most easy going horses I have ever met. He really could have cared less about Czar and simply wanted to check out his new digs. I guess that was all the acceptance Czar was going to get so he took this as a cue to try to mount Rocket, fully erect. Rocket, the poor guy, hadn't even gotten a meal in his new home yet. Luckily these horses don't live in North Carolina and luckily for Czar's old man heart this didn't last long and they became true buddies. From day one they bonded very quickly and are pretty much always right next to one another or eating from the same hay pile. The weather has been amazing, and dry, almost too dry, for the past 3 weeks and the new couple has been outside, even at night (which is real good for horses), so they have continued to develop and incredible bond. Watching this unfold has reminded me just how amazing horses are and we are really lucky to not only have them in our life but on our property. In the middle of winter when owning horses is as difficult as it gets, it is days like this that I long for. Thank you to Judy, Rocket's owner, for being an excellent boarder so far and we welcome both of them with open arms to Czar of the Woods Farm. Rocket is truly one of the nicest horses I have ever met and we hope that he stays here for a good long time!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Rocket on the left and Czar on the right love to eat from the same pile of hay. This means that horses are buddies, accepting of one another and safe together.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzl_RRHf8rQliNnY9-lhinlj3R2txhUgXBGUe0wWs9BaOGpcNOSLfZyrZ_Wk8T0Ho6lLl8Xzh1jKQmh9zTwNYRbpm1twqxI166Kl_1Tg_a6ogEXQJPTW3Zrh3xBanrWYVNyGTWCJ09KI/s1600/IMG_1282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzl_RRHf8rQliNnY9-lhinlj3R2txhUgXBGUe0wWs9BaOGpcNOSLfZyrZ_Wk8T0Ho6lLl8Xzh1jKQmh9zTwNYRbpm1twqxI166Kl_1Tg_a6ogEXQJPTW3Zrh3xBanrWYVNyGTWCJ09KI/s400/IMG_1282.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
This has been and remains one of my favorite vantage points at the farm. Standing in the northeast corner of the property, looking southwest.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBd6MTUmvNML8WLZx-xgVqNfc6wZLtJAN_gmFtoIj3bHe-16BLG9cUcj-DBPH-EBTIw2KASNa7jTfyGtDmPR4gTtj9YcwTHNqtPgZ0cetUyeWoHNW_lHBEDyO-8sxAlhyphenhyphen3axLH-DVYaks/s1600/IMG_1426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBd6MTUmvNML8WLZx-xgVqNfc6wZLtJAN_gmFtoIj3bHe-16BLG9cUcj-DBPH-EBTIw2KASNa7jTfyGtDmPR4gTtj9YcwTHNqtPgZ0cetUyeWoHNW_lHBEDyO-8sxAlhyphenhyphen3axLH-DVYaks/s400/IMG_1426.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We have yet to finish installing all the new fence posts in the back pasture due to a partial barn rebuild project taking precedence (sagging roof in one corner due to foundation rot) but I really wanted to get this new duo out on the amazing green grass that has grown so quickly. So I installed temporary fence posts where there were no posts and now there is a combination of permanent and temporary with electric tape to keep the horses in. While it's not ideal it does the trick for the time being and the horses couldn't be happier. They didn't know what to do with themselves and didn't know where to start eating. They looked as though they were eating their last meal the way they gorged and move to another area so as not to miss out. Can't keep them out there too long as if they eat too much too fast so early in the season they can colic (which can be fatal). I have been putting them out there for a few hours each night and seeing horses in our back pasture again is sublime. After having it closed for the better part of 3 seasons so the grass could re-establish itself after over grazing from the previous owner's horses it was a long time coming and what a beautiful sight it is. Nothing quite like seeing horses in their natural environment in a sea of green as they nicker to show they are content. It really is perfection.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Here the boys enjoy the luscious green, spring pasture grass.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgJLlkji0nAKRTd9f2ZO5G19m9g8E4WbhzQcKvg8av7BTm-7_FCwMDWrNPfMUqAwq7Q9mSIC3s09-8zqPQJkhYEY1g60MMLvas9g3Ei0XSaELmDGSsYYCozvSeH_e8CFTcBJABS2yXCE/s1600/IMG_1416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgJLlkji0nAKRTd9f2ZO5G19m9g8E4WbhzQcKvg8av7BTm-7_FCwMDWrNPfMUqAwq7Q9mSIC3s09-8zqPQJkhYEY1g60MMLvas9g3Ei0XSaELmDGSsYYCozvSeH_e8CFTcBJABS2yXCE/s400/IMG_1416.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Our rescued Western Box turtles are loving life in their outdoor enclosure that is rapidly filling with all sorts of plants that make for great hiding places and homes for the insects that they eat. The warm sun is a turtles best friend. While the turtles don't do a whole lot I love having them and knowing that they have a really sweet enclosure on our property that we built for them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQZh4MkPxGq0oNkoOKDjKhC0gMrL12DBbuzMlJFWdj4ayApbBHR_W8-UgnimRAn7JzGgtXai6cGTEQUH2f04PYs7VZBpSQYl9TZPM37uxwL3W-71Nb1CBFuUnEsu3HCtX5d4OQo7Lz00/s1600/IMG_1390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQZh4MkPxGq0oNkoOKDjKhC0gMrL12DBbuzMlJFWdj4ayApbBHR_W8-UgnimRAn7JzGgtXai6cGTEQUH2f04PYs7VZBpSQYl9TZPM37uxwL3W-71Nb1CBFuUnEsu3HCtX5d4OQo7Lz00/s400/IMG_1390.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrN2-S4Fyks6xS2cDRtfBcWirMVhqhw9GOL6uTT6W98-C7AnBJ2SOO1lPDantgJOz650aeFTmaj7ds1V1VgumR0O6buCo7UBFa2OUrjj4DKa76Kbtav4DkOal1ZnsheUxTLH-0g98dkc/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrN2-S4Fyks6xS2cDRtfBcWirMVhqhw9GOL6uTT6W98-C7AnBJ2SOO1lPDantgJOz650aeFTmaj7ds1V1VgumR0O6buCo7UBFa2OUrjj4DKa76Kbtav4DkOal1ZnsheUxTLH-0g98dkc/s400/IMG_1393.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUqGLrUCaFceyZh3IobcV02O6tZWygW2tTd-qqLcD4OocQUJOCC2WzZE1wXdU3QtfQk-84UBNEAHNBEhG1xQ6aD_mAFHAAkH4a12Qc99yMNpTZEFkLy2SSGE1Th76dDT0Y3Lm5KebHhc/s1600/IMG_1394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUqGLrUCaFceyZh3IobcV02O6tZWygW2tTd-qqLcD4OocQUJOCC2WzZE1wXdU3QtfQk-84UBNEAHNBEhG1xQ6aD_mAFHAAkH4a12Qc99yMNpTZEFkLy2SSGE1Th76dDT0Y3Lm5KebHhc/s400/IMG_1394.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWsHEcZ-Rvx7FOVC3FWKc7sdtRck9HerZzJK2IH1VZKgs6q4CtM9zXihJ9pLTikWJGUmFfXmUxo1JIkZgMedOOxbTNsgSPLzmNQwU4QJjKlSP39UZGppLlnfCvfYhMGb-wifK6i6sR_g/s1600/IMG_1399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWsHEcZ-Rvx7FOVC3FWKc7sdtRck9HerZzJK2IH1VZKgs6q4CtM9zXihJ9pLTikWJGUmFfXmUxo1JIkZgMedOOxbTNsgSPLzmNQwU4QJjKlSP39UZGppLlnfCvfYhMGb-wifK6i6sR_g/s400/IMG_1399.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVWvqVRK8EPJdP9GAfFH6b1uGlbcPG7gHj9eo4GxBP7_8IhhoFT2inWkslZjw4NuJHVTNnllU_h1StUPNTusjzCCBgw0hedUbYKU_sjoIiik2-3pwjswcGQy4Mv6_K4aMIgzTEix1k5s/s1600/IMG_1400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVWvqVRK8EPJdP9GAfFH6b1uGlbcPG7gHj9eo4GxBP7_8IhhoFT2inWkslZjw4NuJHVTNnllU_h1StUPNTusjzCCBgw0hedUbYKU_sjoIiik2-3pwjswcGQy4Mv6_K4aMIgzTEix1k5s/s400/IMG_1400.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUNUaQ0cXuqNbVenocOyrmmVV89Iirh55d95ilbg__i_n-BV_3PD-ME1AsnS8QVGt_7JOh9Ayk4q1Kk9sTqZngfAdCvOH4L5mrl2O34ZGraQtPBWhLND-96TTAn1Eqa4g60Y_qDpQUfU/s1600/IMG_1402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUNUaQ0cXuqNbVenocOyrmmVV89Iirh55d95ilbg__i_n-BV_3PD-ME1AsnS8QVGt_7JOh9Ayk4q1Kk9sTqZngfAdCvOH4L5mrl2O34ZGraQtPBWhLND-96TTAn1Eqa4g60Y_qDpQUfU/s400/IMG_1402.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Can you spot them?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YV7oy85vHOe6myaaEWBI-2qeC8VZLbxPnALa2C7YUoTrh00aH2ZVGfZa5YCw8o-jRtY6xAQU3kNFS_ne9cQBL66nSXcA9mfd-nQV2M3HMWXMZ6cQFQMZXPeC2eMrmLtSAsu7IE_Ezyo/s1600/IMG_1403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YV7oy85vHOe6myaaEWBI-2qeC8VZLbxPnALa2C7YUoTrh00aH2ZVGfZa5YCw8o-jRtY6xAQU3kNFS_ne9cQBL66nSXcA9mfd-nQV2M3HMWXMZ6cQFQMZXPeC2eMrmLtSAsu7IE_Ezyo/s400/IMG_1403.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNPMReFE43QQVJExOHYLrcF9MWN6_VPKssdXa68dWehDU1GJ5N-db5RRu8QWVk-KOAAtMeUYbUcySQkpMEV1O1mfeQapPQ0eZ5NvHI7AxXX-hLuivXBe9d1IvB18GrQHKINBQNgAkqcU/s1600/IMG_1404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNPMReFE43QQVJExOHYLrcF9MWN6_VPKssdXa68dWehDU1GJ5N-db5RRu8QWVk-KOAAtMeUYbUcySQkpMEV1O1mfeQapPQ0eZ5NvHI7AxXX-hLuivXBe9d1IvB18GrQHKINBQNgAkqcU/s400/IMG_1404.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2DlfpAiDJeD8NQKESr1kEZd_Q-FZr2IaxnK1ssatMIXg_Oaz8Y83QmZDn5vA_GcoHPnAtPFLGoIljfRqwNa1OiSWaPTLGBFgWTrAlIHN5XLhtgzfWPUjdrdMz3feHvjsmzu71mQCsLg/s1600/IMG_1405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2DlfpAiDJeD8NQKESr1kEZd_Q-FZr2IaxnK1ssatMIXg_Oaz8Y83QmZDn5vA_GcoHPnAtPFLGoIljfRqwNa1OiSWaPTLGBFgWTrAlIHN5XLhtgzfWPUjdrdMz3feHvjsmzu71mQCsLg/s400/IMG_1405.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I also opened up the bee hive to see how they have been doing as well since the weather we have been having is perfect for bees. They are drunk on pollen and nectar right now bringing it all back to the hive in the process of making honey and more bees. It is quite a production and seemingly effortless yet chaotic choreography.<br />
<br />
The light yellow "capped off" areas are what will eventually become honey. There are other capped off areas that are darker and not seen in either of these frames that contain baby bees known as brood.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvKRsPIVgZtSo5p9GaJkQ8OPqoSP5Bxxr-I59yiYQyvIiiLfTaqxW7MVCAY8Rq7DlZQgq8rp68bQjzS7i_GEHp5K8IoKC_KsQdHGfmTMM08ly5WbDzw4WnPRgcJ6jl2cH64oMQyEs7Kg/s1600/IMG_1420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvKRsPIVgZtSo5p9GaJkQ8OPqoSP5Bxxr-I59yiYQyvIiiLfTaqxW7MVCAY8Rq7DlZQgq8rp68bQjzS7i_GEHp5K8IoKC_KsQdHGfmTMM08ly5WbDzw4WnPRgcJ6jl2cH64oMQyEs7Kg/s400/IMG_1420.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYu_pU-eBZP_NZoRYAYnsqIywMiLKj-h0oHniQGAJn6Z1FmpkPlAyo5JjI9wxdukSIIXDkgDWD5Nd37MWE12uARugV0ZwTCpTxh5Iv84yvx9MBns7la_kb71FXmvG9wf8u0uW1hmCL4E/s1600/IMG_1421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYu_pU-eBZP_NZoRYAYnsqIywMiLKj-h0oHniQGAJn6Z1FmpkPlAyo5JjI9wxdukSIIXDkgDWD5Nd37MWE12uARugV0ZwTCpTxh5Iv84yvx9MBns7la_kb71FXmvG9wf8u0uW1hmCL4E/s400/IMG_1421.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-57591361380012315592012-04-27T17:12:00.001-07:002012-04-27T18:30:31.509-07:00Some Pig: Goodbye Morgan Sophia Beasley<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNGMf-d9q3X0j7PcpHYWJAxWIf6XKEF5Gu7QjAyxLbLDBE7nD8GLzta5OMdUM4lT8EZjFzeomJtGg5HnfvOT_ndvOcT_7BUOWWZWPHaRkuoAo8ljerAWujiVwyz_d7TThn9qPaE0cvUE/s1600/Morgan%252520Sophia%252520Beasley%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNGMf-d9q3X0j7PcpHYWJAxWIf6XKEF5Gu7QjAyxLbLDBE7nD8GLzta5OMdUM4lT8EZjFzeomJtGg5HnfvOT_ndvOcT_7BUOWWZWPHaRkuoAo8ljerAWujiVwyz_d7TThn9qPaE0cvUE/s400/Morgan%252520Sophia%252520Beasley%255B1%255D.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_2_0_23_133548567119148">
<span id="yui_3_2_0_23_133548567119185"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">And that was that. Today we euthanized our beloved 11 year old Vietnamese Potbellied Pig....her name as many of you know was Morgan Sophia Beasley. A pig so nice, they named her thrice. We adopted her from the Erie County SPCA in January of 2010 shortly after we bought this house/property that became Czar of the Woods Farm. The quick version of her story and how she came to be a member of our menagerie is that she was an old pig waiting for her forever home at the SPCA. She ended up there when the women that previously owned her was going through a divorce and could no longer keep her. She actually then got adopted but was brought back when those people realized that they couldn't keep a pig in their township. We fell in love with her and gave the old girl a chance.</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_2_0_23_133548567119148">
<span id="yui_3_2_0_23_133548567119185"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouySNxDoyrrzX-_edCma7Ra-hEO_vZF5UIRL-sPR8NnUBbBx5XBLSaeyJ72WvO9q3uqsoGIltkB2bXpxdBgGI-04V_sXlqj6-YQyEdjUYoJVSRNVwqtwPkTrsZqy6c1eC-9uxhQKDhZM/s1600/IMG_4655web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouySNxDoyrrzX-_edCma7Ra-hEO_vZF5UIRL-sPR8NnUBbBx5XBLSaeyJ72WvO9q3uqsoGIltkB2bXpxdBgGI-04V_sXlqj6-YQyEdjUYoJVSRNVwqtwPkTrsZqy6c1eC-9uxhQKDhZM/s400/IMG_4655web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div id="yui_3_2_0_23_133548567119148">
<span id="yui_3_2_0_23_133548567119185"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_2_0_23_133548567119148">
<span id="yui_3_2_0_23_133548567119185"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Morgan and Sarah became very close and you could often find the two of them in a nice sunny spot in the summer with Sarah reading, and as I would often joke using Morgan as an ottoman. Morgan was super sweet and very smart (Sarah taught her to sit on command, she especially loved to to do this for grapes).</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_2_0_23_133548567119148">
<span id="yui_3_2_0_23_1335485671191100"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Last year she developed severe arthritis in one of her elbows and then the other. We had her on an NSAID, which is the equivalent of aspirin (Rimadyl specifically) and joint supplements (Osteo Bi Flex). It worked for a long time actually and she continued to live a happy life. A few weeks ago we noticed a change in her as she seemed to be painful again. I was worried that the pain meds and supplements were no longer enough. Slowly she began to decline and could no longer get up on her own and was in pain when I tried to help her. She would eat but only if I brought it to her. Per our veterinarian's recommendation we even put her on Loratab which is a human narcotic couple with Tylenol. This was after we had stopped the Rimadyl for 4 days because you can't keep a pet on 2 NSAIDs concurrently as it can cause severe stomach ulcers.</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_2_0_23_133548567119148">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Working in veterinary medicine I always tell clients that when a pet's quality of life drops off it is time to make that difficult decision to let them go. As hard as it is I always tell them and have now told this to myself and Sarah two times (the last being Traveler) that it is the last act of love that we can give to them. To free them of their pain and suffering. Humans should be so lucky. </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_2_0_23_133548567119148">
<span id="yui_3_2_0_23_1335485671191105"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So yes, that was that. We couldn't let her go on any longer. Arthritis, although painful, seems benign enough and not something that would cause death but in all the research I have done and in speaking with our vet it is the number one reason to euthanize an otherwise healthy pig when such severe arthritis cannot be managed. It also causes them to gain weight from lack of mobility. Sadly she put back on the weight she had lost when she moved here. I would't be surprised if her body began 2 shut down as she was no longer eating or drinking since yesterday.</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_2_0_23_133548567119148">
<span id="yui_3_2_0_23_1335485671191105"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So it is a sad day at Czar of the Woods Farm.</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_2_0_23_133548567119148">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Morgan Sophia Beasley was SOME PIG!</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_2_0_23_133548567119148">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We'll have to find a new way of dealing with our Dandelions. She loved to behead them! They were her favorite early summer treat.</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_2_0_23_133548567119148">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">RIP Morgan. </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_2_0_23_133548567119148">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">PS-you can read her story when she, Sarah and I were all featured in the Buffalo News here in a previous blog post: <a href="http://czarofthewoodsfarm.blogspot.com/2010/05/extra-extra-read-all-about-it.html">http://czarofthewoodsfarm.blogspot.com/2010/05/extra-extra-read-all-about-it.html</a></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_2_0_23_133548567119148">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStjwgAw5K7ytQePGMwwOwVccKLBUCPjdwf7hWNOgVNbEApNb4nwOAt7LntftzFynXBRLQGY9VgVeFquMqP_QUggkOdgUQ6ojB1azcHARdM4cGFdyH3Up8oXYeHnma_f5hhTa6xw1xQeg/s1600/IMG_3475web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStjwgAw5K7ytQePGMwwOwVccKLBUCPjdwf7hWNOgVNbEApNb4nwOAt7LntftzFynXBRLQGY9VgVeFquMqP_QUggkOdgUQ6ojB1azcHARdM4cGFdyH3Up8oXYeHnma_f5hhTa6xw1xQeg/s400/IMG_3475web.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib95aQgPZe9L_y1OOwkVXtBSxj1J_UTSnXJ5hUfLI3OvnVzMuQWJMQoX3OZfU4LxXYBDkTaA4TJoFsv3ykeei9nEC2VVjQub-1j3j-UtI1uHFUjZ_lhsskM2rhg2vvahlfPTiC4BPStdA/s1600/IMG_3954web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib95aQgPZe9L_y1OOwkVXtBSxj1J_UTSnXJ5hUfLI3OvnVzMuQWJMQoX3OZfU4LxXYBDkTaA4TJoFsv3ykeei9nEC2VVjQub-1j3j-UtI1uHFUjZ_lhsskM2rhg2vvahlfPTiC4BPStdA/s400/IMG_3954web.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjlQmZvU7Th8V6eFMM3n6xgM-m_20vPfgRV4_u_jR2iaYiPnu8gqq_pSwch87qRjRliYDDbRLSqqBuqHfMPct5mzCnxfXg_LX1sFL3ck-0IW3T4f-HLMy_ODRHrICrKEpeLDVdkiu4yA/s1600/IMG_4031web.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjlQmZvU7Th8V6eFMM3n6xgM-m_20vPfgRV4_u_jR2iaYiPnu8gqq_pSwch87qRjRliYDDbRLSqqBuqHfMPct5mzCnxfXg_LX1sFL3ck-0IW3T4f-HLMy_ODRHrICrKEpeLDVdkiu4yA/s400/IMG_4031web.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3BBMQhDQJxyxjCmAB0Lx1b6w3opp1uZwdiKzIUfcn1WLfxiFxwswBf9RLr4iy1qJ2fwS7X_WfSOJlVCB0BnOpkJ9XUFoeNopWbQw9wgWYfX7W5_W-jROrodBfW2TGcjkxoNqr8b02Tk/s1600/IMG_4080web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3BBMQhDQJxyxjCmAB0Lx1b6w3opp1uZwdiKzIUfcn1WLfxiFxwswBf9RLr4iy1qJ2fwS7X_WfSOJlVCB0BnOpkJ9XUFoeNopWbQw9wgWYfX7W5_W-jROrodBfW2TGcjkxoNqr8b02Tk/s400/IMG_4080web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1luVpo986W40Xy117dLiz-EfXsxDJvkeeY37dBQQqqa8QlaIzIzUR3xcJ-ZQuNfmRp0Dow_XaVp-SZC0NhaIbc7Hz084VmapaBR0zbpOZNkSDp8eGdHKREvjJxNfg0vddVbuwEuNKUk/s1600/IMG_4075web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1luVpo986W40Xy117dLiz-EfXsxDJvkeeY37dBQQqqa8QlaIzIzUR3xcJ-ZQuNfmRp0Dow_XaVp-SZC0NhaIbc7Hz084VmapaBR0zbpOZNkSDp8eGdHKREvjJxNfg0vddVbuwEuNKUk/s400/IMG_4075web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNn6l57tan3-PrMpOiYf0RkZE3vREU1U7lrYXEhTI1RoRA9T1QesIiOkMbsd42xe-W7E3KuRNxkmgnFSvzsl8QezA2FtwxVGcgKvkxb-o0wuuDaroklpTfG5M1HI3MZBVSKYe_zTb0VF4/s1600/IMG_4617web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNn6l57tan3-PrMpOiYf0RkZE3vREU1U7lrYXEhTI1RoRA9T1QesIiOkMbsd42xe-W7E3KuRNxkmgnFSvzsl8QezA2FtwxVGcgKvkxb-o0wuuDaroklpTfG5M1HI3MZBVSKYe_zTb0VF4/s400/IMG_4617web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUlorYtqGvw9b2izEDe1mGYdYzeU6BuVp1yduVCVKQKjQUe827rMugwCdiFveZ2Jwf3FjdrLenx5yWXa6BGX1PwDHrtqLSTGYVTphCxh2NFzzZhvF9GzXO9FQyi2QK_Vtw0x4oE7pkdA/s1600/IMG_5146web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUlorYtqGvw9b2izEDe1mGYdYzeU6BuVp1yduVCVKQKjQUe827rMugwCdiFveZ2Jwf3FjdrLenx5yWXa6BGX1PwDHrtqLSTGYVTphCxh2NFzzZhvF9GzXO9FQyi2QK_Vtw0x4oE7pkdA/s400/IMG_5146web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yafalweuYmPwyx20ewxi1OZh2BvNweM6ovURX2w8zJIuHT1GhrQ9ZTY67cm7CY2Pwo0BUQ1CgyQ0238R2yOSJ3Hi9B2ULDmJCaymkBhbn9MC5gCo1eQE1TzF5TVFbFHSkhMH-JLOwn0/s1600/IMG_5144web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yafalweuYmPwyx20ewxi1OZh2BvNweM6ovURX2w8zJIuHT1GhrQ9ZTY67cm7CY2Pwo0BUQ1CgyQ0238R2yOSJ3Hi9B2ULDmJCaymkBhbn9MC5gCo1eQE1TzF5TVFbFHSkhMH-JLOwn0/s400/IMG_5144web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0FsLJHBOfcBeMTNS8qE6wrdi27_uYPgY1T06F4L4RyAf85IGQys5WMStlRI9Pg93ulC9tjFSs8BTVgRX8mNcfGWmy8rnFXtJElOmtgb_WbT_VM6zKkJRgSIg-V2KtRpOvOh3MrOphic/s1600/IMG_5312web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0FsLJHBOfcBeMTNS8qE6wrdi27_uYPgY1T06F4L4RyAf85IGQys5WMStlRI9Pg93ulC9tjFSs8BTVgRX8mNcfGWmy8rnFXtJElOmtgb_WbT_VM6zKkJRgSIg-V2KtRpOvOh3MrOphic/s400/IMG_5312web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmQGXIam0yJqcwVpjcOgjvv0rtdbdFrip5mHgt4UsYDQej1wU_IK4UwGyDUoomc1FonHmQeEMPXV2-2NO9dLqR4rFe7f2geS7-Orv1KgPEITlTEmkEXGqgUqp8QEoAy7OiklK0nSfyuY/s1600/IMG_6376web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmQGXIam0yJqcwVpjcOgjvv0rtdbdFrip5mHgt4UsYDQej1wU_IK4UwGyDUoomc1FonHmQeEMPXV2-2NO9dLqR4rFe7f2geS7-Orv1KgPEITlTEmkEXGqgUqp8QEoAy7OiklK0nSfyuY/s400/IMG_6376web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoqMuHb0ugt7BvtREDlrE6sQTve9cOHOnQjPSNn3nm747sV9IJCPsAzFRoKE3mTqHMnrMz-BfQXBh5rw1ZXrfaF_aig-gpO6neWMQreirEHLMbgfzDcaDxcSqTW1OqszYgQG4s2dUa1A/s1600/IMG_7603web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoqMuHb0ugt7BvtREDlrE6sQTve9cOHOnQjPSNn3nm747sV9IJCPsAzFRoKE3mTqHMnrMz-BfQXBh5rw1ZXrfaF_aig-gpO6neWMQreirEHLMbgfzDcaDxcSqTW1OqszYgQG4s2dUa1A/s400/IMG_7603web.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUnOUZGS5YeKLGybUApLnW4Zqd8QuM82tygFq1bIRbGQ381vkFNK4XfCmd9qwIpoZ5o0YFrxpXcUrRlzi-Shmkh6Nn8Mhl-8xc0FkXjmXeh_hkVKsRbUk4L99sx3KvD7K5C8JqnxyFOI/s1600/IMG_8452web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUnOUZGS5YeKLGybUApLnW4Zqd8QuM82tygFq1bIRbGQ381vkFNK4XfCmd9qwIpoZ5o0YFrxpXcUrRlzi-Shmkh6Nn8Mhl-8xc0FkXjmXeh_hkVKsRbUk4L99sx3KvD7K5C8JqnxyFOI/s400/IMG_8452web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</span></div>eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-20484021697193344022012-04-27T16:59:00.003-07:002012-04-27T17:12:49.830-07:00Horse Arena ImprovementIn the late fall and early spring when it tends to rain the most or when the snow melts our front horse arena, and commonly at all farms big and small, mud is a big problem. Sometimes there simply is no more room for the water to go. I'm sure the horses were as sick of it as I was so I decided to install drain tile in the arena sending any excess water towards a culvert. <br />
2 weeks ago my friend Dennis brought his Bobcat over and helped my Dad and I dig ~340 ft of trench with the trencher attachment on the Bobcat. It made easy work of it and he was a life saver. We only ended up having to dig about 50 ft by hand in the one corner where the soil has more of a clay quality to it. This was the only area that we got the cat stuck. Luckily with some ingenuity and luck we were able to get it out. <br />
All in all we laid 390 ft of corrugated plastic drain tile with holes in it to allow water to get into it and down the pipe. We also surrounded the pipe with stone to promote drainage and prevent dirt from getting into the pipe.<br />
I have to say so far so good. It has rained quite heavily a number of times and has drained really well. We even got a freak late spring snowstorm earlier this week that dumped over 8 inches of really wet concrete like snow on our property. It melted in about 24 hrs and you'd never know it from the lack of water in the arena.<br />
Couldn't have done this without my Dad, Dennis or his trusty Bobcat. Thank you all!<br />
<br />
Here is what the 2 day project looked like:<br />
<br />
Before/During<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JOeN0DO-UgdzQQCbiOhJN_xQ6hX_Tx2Q_H_8tc5-EXuR2HsSJJvDP4TsHG0jY5DX1WV126pbDiKf1qgI270n1codvZTvzkLPl9K0aENz4NEPbTkf4-ebJl3HtsPMdtTbN8PluYawrGQ/s1600/IMG_1080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JOeN0DO-UgdzQQCbiOhJN_xQ6hX_Tx2Q_H_8tc5-EXuR2HsSJJvDP4TsHG0jY5DX1WV126pbDiKf1qgI270n1codvZTvzkLPl9K0aENz4NEPbTkf4-ebJl3HtsPMdtTbN8PluYawrGQ/s400/IMG_1080.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-r5Xkll66LXe_QkXqzQaK1jace5-xkxWmBHcXIY-0A_042d9rERqPkgthnDb4txfGJwHWFLQXj_298mw91uuX_Q4ig71K5wS-Nj3s5UqnZeYZKyY7RaFNFehJFWbdrv-La28OsNUTTf0/s1600/IMG_1081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-r5Xkll66LXe_QkXqzQaK1jace5-xkxWmBHcXIY-0A_042d9rERqPkgthnDb4txfGJwHWFLQXj_298mw91uuX_Q4ig71K5wS-Nj3s5UqnZeYZKyY7RaFNFehJFWbdrv-La28OsNUTTf0/s400/IMG_1081.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWvoc7c4VLwYlYQUpjOvYrvnZK4kc_totp8Wg6z9kdQ58taFsEsNA_X93lmOS5IsC3-pQ04cRZCYY2hGThLUhF1hy1gvrDAtYuK1VtEx2d4LXA-4eZQdDENNa43EVdMdGOL3sEtdSnkk/s1600/IMG_1082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWvoc7c4VLwYlYQUpjOvYrvnZK4kc_totp8Wg6z9kdQ58taFsEsNA_X93lmOS5IsC3-pQ04cRZCYY2hGThLUhF1hy1gvrDAtYuK1VtEx2d4LXA-4eZQdDENNa43EVdMdGOL3sEtdSnkk/s400/IMG_1082.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI59ZfV8n7Pv1WZ7tFeVt9tvc-Vff-EVb3IgzLBjZZVSfuDkKhvhxFX201nhYiUqd-eLDUrBTdrn6JxCe36g54h7xXIhcvTWX5c6B1S6sAuKl05_lTOiXSp4thlyt7qk1az4IUWs00qSE/s1600/IMG_1083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI59ZfV8n7Pv1WZ7tFeVt9tvc-Vff-EVb3IgzLBjZZVSfuDkKhvhxFX201nhYiUqd-eLDUrBTdrn6JxCe36g54h7xXIhcvTWX5c6B1S6sAuKl05_lTOiXSp4thlyt7qk1az4IUWs00qSE/s400/IMG_1083.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The trencher was basically a large chainsaw for dirt!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsEctYuOMaHZkDHm4O9FZWUO_tfS3phAfCbl4Ejc0etolhJMKsqvjTAsB0Nesz8nfovsLcDAROsqE5JsXz7OvHYnTrzesLSMq9cLQ2PVUWZLij1ZKtds1tHiY9iqxZGCVUXZNqXiikv8/s1600/IMG_1084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsEctYuOMaHZkDHm4O9FZWUO_tfS3phAfCbl4Ejc0etolhJMKsqvjTAsB0Nesz8nfovsLcDAROsqE5JsXz7OvHYnTrzesLSMq9cLQ2PVUWZLij1ZKtds1tHiY9iqxZGCVUXZNqXiikv8/s400/IMG_1084.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmhvgrkYZr2yZdztCapwrVAT5WUkmRpiMH6hm4_IA9EFFekgoX0Q-ww8v_aeAN2xH15MGlVpW7SDKzwvZ5Pay_X5QM32sK6OM8PpePXHxXj5V5XxHsUMKpQl80jsYtdDvF08kGsQ_c4I/s1600/IMG_1085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmhvgrkYZr2yZdztCapwrVAT5WUkmRpiMH6hm4_IA9EFFekgoX0Q-ww8v_aeAN2xH15MGlVpW7SDKzwvZ5Pay_X5QM32sK6OM8PpePXHxXj5V5XxHsUMKpQl80jsYtdDvF08kGsQ_c4I/s400/IMG_1085.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoh6eq8P_6bkJXWVmN_0OUATkzY6TommLEv7rTSgpBTGJ_EVbxsOCU1C3A7Ou9S_C8N0MPh4m25cPT_cw_-zfPIwvwbUSVLMbCWrYCtridKu3tRBfjL4x9XnDzaPOVFuLHcExKRM9HmIQ/s1600/IMG_1086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoh6eq8P_6bkJXWVmN_0OUATkzY6TommLEv7rTSgpBTGJ_EVbxsOCU1C3A7Ou9S_C8N0MPh4m25cPT_cw_-zfPIwvwbUSVLMbCWrYCtridKu3tRBfjL4x9XnDzaPOVFuLHcExKRM9HmIQ/s400/IMG_1086.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
A layer of stone down first, the pipe, then more stone and lastly re-covered with dirt.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujpQ2_S8Xe32944DJT8Ln-leJo4vlet5EgzQipmGzyqgS5FFI3UqMz06qXxMmtdjC1nYQdPoPJ4iQVm7yVzm8vyV8p9z-YwDOcLqM_hb5MHl3l-lk-CUm9uiNwNtkqVUIbQ97mmUVLi0/s1600/IMG_1087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujpQ2_S8Xe32944DJT8Ln-leJo4vlet5EgzQipmGzyqgS5FFI3UqMz06qXxMmtdjC1nYQdPoPJ4iQVm7yVzm8vyV8p9z-YwDOcLqM_hb5MHl3l-lk-CUm9uiNwNtkqVUIbQ97mmUVLi0/s400/IMG_1087.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwsTUawp1rpsQfqlqOvd9pTPM1vSUZ8oE6ORK4GTlN6nn2uXZlAZdz7Om0g5_T1bdSoD0ltKwA7zKq6qYXdIQ_H1UrPsRZPiCOlK3DA3PIQ_K-WTfjvN5FYiUcU2Iwfr30aGOvZTrrHo/s1600/IMG_1088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwsTUawp1rpsQfqlqOvd9pTPM1vSUZ8oE6ORK4GTlN6nn2uXZlAZdz7Om0g5_T1bdSoD0ltKwA7zKq6qYXdIQ_H1UrPsRZPiCOlK3DA3PIQ_K-WTfjvN5FYiUcU2Iwfr30aGOvZTrrHo/s400/IMG_1088.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLh6azShyphenhyphen_EeRk1EWYJQHFkRw4tE-YEEl2o2GOwC48p8mi5__P3SX_LpfDhcFU-3LlLb6nypTHsTmTDPy798t7qP8Aee8KTd9hToKVRsp3Zp4mOAuLlQH1Xjd-O-Y_l3-Yy4nLsTQU6c/s1600/IMG_1089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLh6azShyphenhyphen_EeRk1EWYJQHFkRw4tE-YEEl2o2GOwC48p8mi5__P3SX_LpfDhcFU-3LlLb6nypTHsTmTDPy798t7qP8Aee8KTd9hToKVRsp3Zp4mOAuLlQH1Xjd-O-Y_l3-Yy4nLsTQU6c/s400/IMG_1089.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
Dennis!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjN6SwjrkPmeFyvpHYSTN0OGvzl0uUyEGL3hbA4HxrWbh6do15J5gzfLAdnsl-5cPmWGiUSySqXoZlvsLB2FeyoQrLizuj9OcRnVx5e2VGG0_1hLMRzGJgXg6AP9cK3ahPdC7xeo3JuA/s1600/IMG_1091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjN6SwjrkPmeFyvpHYSTN0OGvzl0uUyEGL3hbA4HxrWbh6do15J5gzfLAdnsl-5cPmWGiUSySqXoZlvsLB2FeyoQrLizuj9OcRnVx5e2VGG0_1hLMRzGJgXg6AP9cK3ahPdC7xeo3JuA/s400/IMG_1091.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rElTHLc8jJswiFE4blUNv9XPFoi07rPvnv4lFBHCbsV42S16B5jXMfnhe8AgLYW_xCdbOxaJL_65SJLmGGqDBNdXNa7U6kqTWahzHxBbKPCbP1NRPi6grJMOpeWguR7eLmY7N3GvI1g/s1600/IMG_1092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rElTHLc8jJswiFE4blUNv9XPFoi07rPvnv4lFBHCbsV42S16B5jXMfnhe8AgLYW_xCdbOxaJL_65SJLmGGqDBNdXNa7U6kqTWahzHxBbKPCbP1NRPi6grJMOpeWguR7eLmY7N3GvI1g/s400/IMG_1092.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5wpiGEkwkxtBYT4LPb6fx0VRjPcg7bULL4uSXDh3znvVA2mmTUPYIaN_IjAzdvMsfpVmf_d-GueBtcVWBkp7mcdJ5Jd0mTqiybAKvlb3Rjq6sA6d-bs-cCWpOYEyf_Db-Nr86O3XCj4/s1600/IMG_1093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5wpiGEkwkxtBYT4LPb6fx0VRjPcg7bULL4uSXDh3znvVA2mmTUPYIaN_IjAzdvMsfpVmf_d-GueBtcVWBkp7mcdJ5Jd0mTqiybAKvlb3Rjq6sA6d-bs-cCWpOYEyf_Db-Nr86O3XCj4/s400/IMG_1093.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The foreman (on the left)...our son Henrik, and my wife Sarah<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8ksdw9h44PnSsg7yXdG9CIv4ixcsV_0mZiA7gVeFIy7Rxn73oJKYAH46GSMfbQXvDXMgqadDtgNx-JV6wUtV8BWRJi0qYBaqppMF6reipFSP2UcbGWdL2x6AofN4qvuGPG8-N5qboG8/s1600/IMG_1095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8ksdw9h44PnSsg7yXdG9CIv4ixcsV_0mZiA7gVeFIy7Rxn73oJKYAH46GSMfbQXvDXMgqadDtgNx-JV6wUtV8BWRJi0qYBaqppMF6reipFSP2UcbGWdL2x6AofN4qvuGPG8-N5qboG8/s400/IMG_1095.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKns2TuN9qHApjbkzoxKV9POI6y4x0wQamMN27z5n_e3K2UEUTo8v7WZpJqOgvMLVpPNTUq_wv7SJcarZsWqhyphenhyphen-NO3j7dM-10-VRVt5NZewVSvLN3WsLAwV_HcRqlEBOi_jfRRAKUmJ60/s1600/IMG_1098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKns2TuN9qHApjbkzoxKV9POI6y4x0wQamMN27z5n_e3K2UEUTo8v7WZpJqOgvMLVpPNTUq_wv7SJcarZsWqhyphenhyphen-NO3j7dM-10-VRVt5NZewVSvLN3WsLAwV_HcRqlEBOi_jfRRAKUmJ60/s400/IMG_1098.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGsQQ2unn4_1nuS4z93o2URnMo7Wqq1FwDQdDeyTQVYIsjGJqBRvknjdmG_p_G0i5fDur2VKwOgNfnBr4x7JxvvAVy4cQ_rnbiOb8t07xNp2Mzd6ieAYqaS68_PWRg4dxS4uVc_HuIOk/s1600/IMG_1099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGsQQ2unn4_1nuS4z93o2URnMo7Wqq1FwDQdDeyTQVYIsjGJqBRvknjdmG_p_G0i5fDur2VKwOgNfnBr4x7JxvvAVy4cQ_rnbiOb8t07xNp2Mzd6ieAYqaS68_PWRg4dxS4uVc_HuIOk/s400/IMG_1099.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
Love this pipe POV shot!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8EnHTXsf_hTqyX6o5UHK8PgPR4QloCaUH6R8dofPTtGJRPmWvDOSWKeGwg9RB0TBBIjUtYBQwqFTSmke_UEtt9guTbDfnl1vmFggApd8J3EwpzOTiC7MO1bNH9ZWBXLlnViUEV6WAXA/s1600/IMG_1100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8EnHTXsf_hTqyX6o5UHK8PgPR4QloCaUH6R8dofPTtGJRPmWvDOSWKeGwg9RB0TBBIjUtYBQwqFTSmke_UEtt9guTbDfnl1vmFggApd8J3EwpzOTiC7MO1bNH9ZWBXLlnViUEV6WAXA/s400/IMG_1100.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
And after...looks as if nothing happened.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNRHZz6GWC7VQ2-tZT3t58991NfU0SwMQBst9VH3xTqDkEHKotExNJaW7YczF53FpO6ufC_T4b8STICDfWXuz_N6NsyG8TRG4iaQkuNXRxl_HcZfYxcaovElEagBwCzYuue2z772gpj0/s1600/IMG_1103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNRHZz6GWC7VQ2-tZT3t58991NfU0SwMQBst9VH3xTqDkEHKotExNJaW7YczF53FpO6ufC_T4b8STICDfWXuz_N6NsyG8TRG4iaQkuNXRxl_HcZfYxcaovElEagBwCzYuue2z772gpj0/s400/IMG_1103.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The horses were so excited. The arena has never been quite so flat. They ran around for hours in it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3MDhH5GQVGk0foA2H9v38HH60O-dlILvNgCoLqrMKMj21o-a4oeZ3RmK4hsR75ybLX5ETwb6mz3aYXFOMu0ExEm0JBc0OUH0XBrAXfLjXB1g257nWdaimGufGHT2kgNclgrdTM4rFWM/s1600/IMG_1106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3MDhH5GQVGk0foA2H9v38HH60O-dlILvNgCoLqrMKMj21o-a4oeZ3RmK4hsR75ybLX5ETwb6mz3aYXFOMu0ExEm0JBc0OUH0XBrAXfLjXB1g257nWdaimGufGHT2kgNclgrdTM4rFWM/s400/IMG_1106.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-34879909172698101782012-04-24T21:16:00.000-07:002012-04-24T22:37:13.386-07:00Bees Loving the Unseasonably Warm WeatherBack in mid-March we had some of the most unseasonably warm weather that I can ever remember having. I'm talking in the mid to high 80's for an entire week straight. It re-charged the mind, body and soul and confused the plants and wildlife alike. While the bees may not have been expecting warmer temps, especially not that warm anyway for at least 3-4 more weeks they sure wasted no time in springing to life, turning green, even flowering and looking for love (the wildlife that is, not the plants).<br />
<br />
Our bee hive also wasted no time and took advantage of what the warm weather brought with it, pollen! All the blooming flowers and trees were and are rich with pollen that the bees couldn't get enough off. Honeybees are in great part responsible for pollinating the earth's food supply and for making our plants and trees thrive. Without them humans could not exist because our grown food supply that also affects the animals we eat would disappear. It was so nice to see the bees leaving the hive and coming back with little beads of pollen on their back legs. One of the earliest species of trees to bloom in our area were the Weeping Willows and the bees couldn't hide where they had been because these tiny little beads matched the color of the pale yellow pollen that the willows produce. <br />
<br />
As March turned to April temps at night were hitting hard frost levels which I'm sure confused the bees and did damage some of the plants and flowers that popped up pre-maturely during the odd warm spell. We'll see if the damage is permanent. During the warm days the bees are out working hard bringing all sorts of pollen and nectar back to the hive to start making more honey. The pollen now is a richer yellow in color and I suspect that all the Dandelions that are out now are a constant source for them.<br />
<br />
I added another "super" box onto the hive which is where the bees make the honey. These are more shallow than the deeper "brood" boxes that are the base of the hives where more bees are hatched. The artwork on the second super box from the top is by my brother Todd, <a href="http://www.toddkancar.com/">www.toddkancar.com</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdfi9lvAvzeibI2ovAcm5FmECjAE3pjOsv8oR3CFx4NqmL68VZAxuJJLWRgy5F9GUIIifRk223ARVoJIP47bx1vStna-eBAiCM1h1MoREU4WpYO0OuePXs_99fRDpI-QLIMaSc-ps2rc/s1600/IMG_0820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdfi9lvAvzeibI2ovAcm5FmECjAE3pjOsv8oR3CFx4NqmL68VZAxuJJLWRgy5F9GUIIifRk223ARVoJIP47bx1vStna-eBAiCM1h1MoREU4WpYO0OuePXs_99fRDpI-QLIMaSc-ps2rc/s400/IMG_0820.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
In these photos you will see that the frames did well over winter and the bees have "capped" off the cells where the honey is stored. I suspect that this year, the hive's second season, will produce some honey for us based on the looks of things.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigj2rR8Zufe57_tL1XlGHuQuBzs1suGl2FyCrtfjE3gNmFIPuU0E6e92tmetIr-ZZGsobmcsjKx3AakHpB7dDqynT2D_qKDAss64hTVbgvyLDplGik3PYT36kxqvSvxfCKsqCsLMxAXXw/s1600/IMG_0821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigj2rR8Zufe57_tL1XlGHuQuBzs1suGl2FyCrtfjE3gNmFIPuU0E6e92tmetIr-ZZGsobmcsjKx3AakHpB7dDqynT2D_qKDAss64hTVbgvyLDplGik3PYT36kxqvSvxfCKsqCsLMxAXXw/s320/IMG_0821.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMweZFuamdKnRvKknnx6lQBD5dqBAmdQWqQPffAOTFESAk9Ja3WkXHNLSbLS4WivVwGt0JJsWV7ayybv0BZPirMyWThyphenhyphen2EGt9h8WbSFWmAzvKETvuksW3SUMJAQqMhidaute9Wek_nvs/s1600/IMG_0824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMweZFuamdKnRvKknnx6lQBD5dqBAmdQWqQPffAOTFESAk9Ja3WkXHNLSbLS4WivVwGt0JJsWV7ayybv0BZPirMyWThyphenhyphen2EGt9h8WbSFWmAzvKETvuksW3SUMJAQqMhidaute9Wek_nvs/s320/IMG_0824.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivITnYBYWWAbUDhkaaOVg3dwhkGQBMCJqrJTx52JHHGC92QfGkM7ZbhStlEopsrhkutr4HnxvOJ4ZarM1-h6r7M1faOLrDRi8u8f17A2mEfJlTIOoN5xkKx4mz91I_9b5P0ZUKrbUEbEc/s1600/IMG_0825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivITnYBYWWAbUDhkaaOVg3dwhkGQBMCJqrJTx52JHHGC92QfGkM7ZbhStlEopsrhkutr4HnxvOJ4ZarM1-h6r7M1faOLrDRi8u8f17A2mEfJlTIOoN5xkKx4mz91I_9b5P0ZUKrbUEbEc/s320/IMG_0825.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
These bees are hanging out on the inside hive cover.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Swt0DLj2Nw626LQWLlUE6AK-krAy7yHqZUEXelIr_aXDdmJrMrWFtDRO0qJW8_RPQjBDAJMqzVBLY2Rm-3CTUYQarWL-qnPjdVSiTd5S3VIiFGUUULwpP8Js1fCF54aWprHw2YqrgHg/s1600/IMG_0827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Swt0DLj2Nw626LQWLlUE6AK-krAy7yHqZUEXelIr_aXDdmJrMrWFtDRO0qJW8_RPQjBDAJMqzVBLY2Rm-3CTUYQarWL-qnPjdVSiTd5S3VIiFGUUULwpP8Js1fCF54aWprHw2YqrgHg/s320/IMG_0827.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5GCfWUKAkjI_pz_Ng60GjbJogfKwRKSB8KT5lmCw9wP060ircpiw_LPuayrJByUH-mJV6ytdAVgodO1DqgIRtVqatC0FoFvDvnc2GyNT6miMacMc5kfhzEB68XrFaV64F9JAa77RmIM/s1600/IMG_0828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5GCfWUKAkjI_pz_Ng60GjbJogfKwRKSB8KT5lmCw9wP060ircpiw_LPuayrJByUH-mJV6ytdAVgodO1DqgIRtVqatC0FoFvDvnc2GyNT6miMacMc5kfhzEB68XrFaV64F9JAa77RmIM/s320/IMG_0828.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-82888176170491427082012-03-30T21:56:00.000-07:002012-03-31T04:02:33.876-07:00Box Turtles Emerge from Winter HibernationMany of you will remember that last summer 3 Western Box Turtles arrived at Czar of the Woods Farm. They were rescued turtles that my friend eric needed to find a new home for. You can read about their arrival here. They live in an outdoor enclosure that my Dad and I built on our property.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
One of the best things to do for them, because it helps prolong their life by mimicking what they would do in the wild, is to hibernate them over the winter. This can be done by leaving them outside as they would do in the wild. Since we get such cold winters here in the Buffalo area (surprise) I was hesitant to do this. Our frost line can go down to at least 3 ft below the surface of the ground if not more. I was nervous that they would not be able to dig far enough to protect themselves from this. You can also hibernate them in rubber made containers filled with a peat moss substrate in a refrigerator or in a building that stays between 35-45 degrees F. Our barn was the perfect choice because the horses generate enough heat by eating and making manure to keep the temps at just that perfect zone. So needless to say they spent the winter in clear, peat moss and straw filled rubber made containers will holes drilled in the top as you can see here.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bQogI_4AdfffukaMcGDsZYM8L-Tp_RCFPm7yMhwdn-eZ7DOd6gFhO7J1VhP0cwkE4LyUIgYJEqs3FhHvIyVbSRJNicUJVeGJ9Rb3CArdp4fHoRTHvMfx5fXtAkzCbvRbnjxyQtfg3sk/s1600/IMG_0752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bQogI_4AdfffukaMcGDsZYM8L-Tp_RCFPm7yMhwdn-eZ7DOd6gFhO7J1VhP0cwkE4LyUIgYJEqs3FhHvIyVbSRJNicUJVeGJ9Rb3CArdp4fHoRTHvMfx5fXtAkzCbvRbnjxyQtfg3sk/s320/IMG_0752.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
It is also amazing that on the day this photo was taken it was still quite brown in the enclosure and everywhere. In less than a week of high temps everything turned green and the grass was growing, trees started to leaf. Amazing!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HYRiWVmjoovVgvw0BDqmPDNJNecMU9Vyc4B-BL1Rgjyup-gMvdozWDxwsAXCm2M7uuhIUSlYii_zRckANatjp4amBy30bXmJscr4HUhigCyD_vaPtvZiANnc0d6oeFWVD2gzA9OUPuY/s1600/IMG_0753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HYRiWVmjoovVgvw0BDqmPDNJNecMU9Vyc4B-BL1Rgjyup-gMvdozWDxwsAXCm2M7uuhIUSlYii_zRckANatjp4amBy30bXmJscr4HUhigCyD_vaPtvZiANnc0d6oeFWVD2gzA9OUPuY/s320/IMG_0753.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
After a very mild winter with very little snow, last week the temp outside stayed in the 70's and even reached 85 at one point. This is unheard of for mid-March in the Western New York area and while I doubted it would stay that way for long it was time to put the turtles back outside in their enclosure and end their winter slumber.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The day that they went back was in the 70's and sunny, perfect for turtles. They stayed quite groggy but I thought they might be hungry so I put out small pieces of banana; one of their favorite foods, for them to eat. As the sun set for the night and I knew it was going to be cold that evening but being cold blooded their bodies would adjust as needed. I was worried though. Just as hibernating them never felt quite right (even thought it IS what is best for them) neither did simply "un-hibernating" them and so quickly returning them to their enclosure.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbIJQrsk7K-gZkz0f6Otyd1bD8dJxOY_5_GUwrNHzw687GIqfj_ksWuyT4KPpr-o-vYvzX5Zxph7UYyaSkUxcgJWcrTM3EpzQ1f1WcNxpBIyloM4EhwNKURbdeD1rbDXbxKuUL1bflbk/s1600/IMG_0754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbIJQrsk7K-gZkz0f6Otyd1bD8dJxOY_5_GUwrNHzw687GIqfj_ksWuyT4KPpr-o-vYvzX5Zxph7UYyaSkUxcgJWcrTM3EpzQ1f1WcNxpBIyloM4EhwNKURbdeD1rbDXbxKuUL1bflbk/s400/IMG_0754.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
The next morning I was eager to check on them to see how they faired and I could only find 2 out of the 3. I scoured the enclosure up and down. It's about 15' X 15' and I could not find the third one which I believe to be "Esteban" (the other 2 are "Tito" and "Emmett"). Very quickly I ended up knowing the enclosure like the back of my hand from microscopically searching it. When I returned from work I searched again, and mind you the sun had warmed the temps into the 70's that day and the other 2 turtles, although still groggy, were exploring. Still couldn't find him and I was growing more and more concerned. What concerned me the most is that all the banana was gone yet it didn't appear that the turtles were interested in eating yet. The enclosure does not have a roof or cover on it so I started to convince myself that a raccoon had entered, eaten the "bait" and taken a turtle out of the enclosure. While I did not think it possible for them to be able to carry the weight of a box turtle in their mouth, not to mention that box turtles clamp tight like a clam when threatened, while getting out of the enclosure I did then research it on-line and other people have reported that this has happened to their turtles. I knew he was gone and I was very sad about it. Here they had done so well all winter and in less than 24 hrs tragedy struck. So in addition to still scouring their home I then scoured the surrounding area, which is full of perfect camouflage for turtles, meaning that finding a turtle or part of one was like trying to find a needle in a hay stack. But I kept searching, for days. Spent several hours in total. Even if I found part of him or found him dead at least I would know and have some closure. My friend eric told me to hold out hope and he felt that maybe he burrowed down (I was not hopeful because there was no evidence of turtle digging anywhere) and he told me that a turtle of his that he was certain was gone showed up 8 months later!<br />
<br />
In my mind I played back what I did wrong and was convinced that the banana (that was unnecessary since it turned out they weren't eating yet) baited the raccoon into the enclosure and it then found a turtle that was too groggy/slow, and cold at night, to defend itself by clamping its shell tight and that was that. I had basically given up hope and continued to search the area when I could, hoping to find some evidence. I never did even see raccoon prints or raccoon scat. I even climbed into the willow tree that overlooks the turtle area thinking that raccoons take things up but nothing.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8BbZk4NjX-fff1xTneD8kYDhTxKRVO3v_Kim_6X5hUhwVbn_aMAAY8gvPd_HRs9kgiZW5LxGwp-xbktYuuYBKsgK9NwN0adRb_J0-J6gYMpeTZAfDB0Z3qxX9mQTP3M3IMdrQOvWKos/s1600/IMG_0758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8BbZk4NjX-fff1xTneD8kYDhTxKRVO3v_Kim_6X5hUhwVbn_aMAAY8gvPd_HRs9kgiZW5LxGwp-xbktYuuYBKsgK9NwN0adRb_J0-J6gYMpeTZAfDB0Z3qxX9mQTP3M3IMdrQOvWKos/s320/IMG_0758.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
5 days had gone by and my attention then turned to Emmett (photo above) who seems a bit slow to come out of hibernation. Not too active and was keeping his eyes mostly closed. I took him to work (I am a Licensed Veterinary Technician) and the doctor couldn't find anything wrong with him and the trip seemed to be all he needed as it "woke" him up. I returned him to his home where Tito awaited. I had by that point seen Tito eating a worm so this was encouraging.<br />
The next day I went to check on the turtles and counted "there's one, and there's two....and three. Wait, what? THERE'S THREE!" Esteban was alive and had emerged from somewhere! The 85 degree weather brought him out again. He was covered in mud and as it turns out he did find a soft spot, dug down, most likely to keep warm and somehow left no evidence. I was so happy. <br />
The days continued to be warm and the turtles were loving life. The sun warmed them for days and I had by that point witnessed all three of them eating. <br />
The temps have since dropped, 30's-50's during the day and 20's-30's at night, and the turtles have re-entered a pseudo hibernation; each finding a cozy spot to bunker down. Esteban is back in the spot where he hid from me. They should be fine until we get warm again. What drama!eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-23650482581408093422012-03-23T21:37:00.002-07:002012-03-23T21:38:21.223-07:00Henrik Watches Chicken TV!The chicks are 3 weeks old now and we have been having unseasonably warm, and gorgeous, weather for the past week with temps in the mid 70's to upper 80's! For mid-March in the Buffalo area this is unheard of. I actually cut the grass today because it has already grown so much!!!<br />
I thought it might be nice to get the chicks out of the garage and out from under their red heat lamp to actually see the real sun. I moved them out on the grass in their temporary housing and they loved it. You know who loved it more? Our 5 1/2 month old son, Henrik. I put him in his Boppy pillow to prop him up and he watched chicken TV for quite a while. They watched each other very intently not quite sure what to make out of the other. So cute!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDh6PeG2GAxqcLRjX894kJFsAN08Jhy2XrcgdOE8HDKQ2wuTZDW5iwrX-aaXeYciGl6VhPYOVyFwoMBdsFlbEjZYooLjxJZ9uwevHElXv8AmmKvDClhJZMGT8xUcOe6RDIiwtLLA4wgJQ/s1600/IMG_0871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDh6PeG2GAxqcLRjX894kJFsAN08Jhy2XrcgdOE8HDKQ2wuTZDW5iwrX-aaXeYciGl6VhPYOVyFwoMBdsFlbEjZYooLjxJZ9uwevHElXv8AmmKvDClhJZMGT8xUcOe6RDIiwtLLA4wgJQ/s400/IMG_0871.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkSjFgknxEOrMipuBwAIfaX2C-KkgYocIfEMDFNNDq9xKGSnIjqy5e9YjIG5l1cndHflg_B4OiAQLEj_Voq6kx4dffNrI4Iu0JT2Qq7RItuclWGO6DKQy_H62dr3gJzFs_sVhVPjj7K0/s1600/IMG_0873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkSjFgknxEOrMipuBwAIfaX2C-KkgYocIfEMDFNNDq9xKGSnIjqy5e9YjIG5l1cndHflg_B4OiAQLEj_Voq6kx4dffNrI4Iu0JT2Qq7RItuclWGO6DKQy_H62dr3gJzFs_sVhVPjj7K0/s400/IMG_0873.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5GDBEeI0Z9LyxefXq0Lqpgxn9FIho7TcB0nwEzojWT7WNMhdPIRw3Hz12Jhkhs9lUQKxV8e8BeurnZnARHS00NF30C5dQ0MqWpgqVllLovmYL0C6xe3T30-AsLIt_Tpt8k__T9-IdL8/s1600/IMG_0875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5GDBEeI0Z9LyxefXq0Lqpgxn9FIho7TcB0nwEzojWT7WNMhdPIRw3Hz12Jhkhs9lUQKxV8e8BeurnZnARHS00NF30C5dQ0MqWpgqVllLovmYL0C6xe3T30-AsLIt_Tpt8k__T9-IdL8/s400/IMG_0875.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_I8H4us9_ZCP7OcR3yqfxGtGnquR1udgwDh5J7r3fdxih1fxa960TQI0m7sU7MfMpIoNlrTYc0B1204nUdBDBWgOb8CBJSfw8_fUOyqwEQLzqBxXEYKy_GO1rThlPyLm0YWSi5z-ydZI/s1600/IMG_0878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_I8H4us9_ZCP7OcR3yqfxGtGnquR1udgwDh5J7r3fdxih1fxa960TQI0m7sU7MfMpIoNlrTYc0B1204nUdBDBWgOb8CBJSfw8_fUOyqwEQLzqBxXEYKy_GO1rThlPyLm0YWSi5z-ydZI/s400/IMG_0878.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbevciexTDAJ2knHzsxkBSTwUduDslP-6mRVJgfHdSg6QBnWuqlApo4d0AheEflNXqyffk5R35WSQpG9PkzhBY3OmMl7OgOeEZxK84xYIowaeKhC1jS9OYWeMTwWtKygwOqe6XpWqRPME/s1600/IMG_0879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbevciexTDAJ2knHzsxkBSTwUduDslP-6mRVJgfHdSg6QBnWuqlApo4d0AheEflNXqyffk5R35WSQpG9PkzhBY3OmMl7OgOeEZxK84xYIowaeKhC1jS9OYWeMTwWtKygwOqe6XpWqRPME/s400/IMG_0879.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWHfGWo9j2K3R3YqsVJ_xUMCIFmS8KiNbjSKxIboXFgtUkF85pBbCTsFv8NiBX7QVGFsxJHWJxJatzoRhL35K8nYgjYR0OEZIjWuBXCYQInooGTpN80VHGaE2Q99vAnvPvHU2j-vJoc4/s1600/IMG_0880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWHfGWo9j2K3R3YqsVJ_xUMCIFmS8KiNbjSKxIboXFgtUkF85pBbCTsFv8NiBX7QVGFsxJHWJxJatzoRhL35K8nYgjYR0OEZIjWuBXCYQInooGTpN80VHGaE2Q99vAnvPvHU2j-vJoc4/s400/IMG_0880.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciuK2MpCuqmf08IMXpYMb7tDDF2RjYwCYm8_TQO1D0eFn5wODyH1Uxx39YofWWv5b7bj1SGgv_x1reF5M2hYQIHPMOc-I3gCeH6pnhfwhTG6HbGT1a5ttemVnv52XXXl9zyujvMN0YCs/s1600/IMG_0882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciuK2MpCuqmf08IMXpYMb7tDDF2RjYwCYm8_TQO1D0eFn5wODyH1Uxx39YofWWv5b7bj1SGgv_x1reF5M2hYQIHPMOc-I3gCeH6pnhfwhTG6HbGT1a5ttemVnv52XXXl9zyujvMN0YCs/s400/IMG_0882.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoNma8dmI9WjewVtlwiHRyj1l3O6TvDfw2nV7oVJs9Adu0hgzs_Ikwd99pOlQxfd729fS7cNv8FC8wXco-R3UC5GJ1XGBfULjfNMGnlD0vyOTcRFfd1ZXbv3b4gfrzpJbCng0Q3dhbtw/s1600/IMG_0883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoNma8dmI9WjewVtlwiHRyj1l3O6TvDfw2nV7oVJs9Adu0hgzs_Ikwd99pOlQxfd729fS7cNv8FC8wXco-R3UC5GJ1XGBfULjfNMGnlD0vyOTcRFfd1ZXbv3b4gfrzpJbCng0Q3dhbtw/s400/IMG_0883.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And here is what the chicks looked like the day they arrived. We split an order of 27 birds with my friend Megan of which we ordered 9, all from McMurray Hatchery (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83LJtk8T3Co">click here</a> to watch a video of their amazing operation that hatches millions of chicks each month). A week later we picked up 2 more birds from a local feed store for a total of 11 new birds to add to the flock. We got the following breeds: Araucana (aka Americana) which lay blue, green or pink eggs, Barred Rock, Partridge Rock, New Hampshire Red, Cuckoo Maran which lay chocolate colored eggs, Black Australorps, a Red Frizzle Cochin Bantam (gotta see it so click the link <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdLNjxnyW8oElcgIvky5WHpWZKh3AlsFVDakRLcCIjdSL_YoMcyr3CsiLP8HP1vs1ikhXlbvUSxZRUpv48tdzQ1KlkYXxLPSadiBR9Mc1gB118ZnC4n_zNi5sSMTOrKPZrGMiy-3sPTog/s1600/IMG_0461+edited.jpg">here</a> for a photo of what it will look like), a white mystery chicken that I didn't order and possible one more, can't remember. They grow so fast and go from cute to awkward teenagers in no time as they are in the photos above. All the chicks that we got aside from the Red Frizzle are heavy layers in that they lay large brown or colored eggs and lay them often. Gotta earn their keep!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The chicks are born at McMurray Hatchery in Ames, Iowa (Gangloff if you are reading this, yep these chickens were once your neighbors) and are shipped at one day old arriving by 3 days old in this specially designed box. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgBPzgz9vnOBM53yqzXfrI4IEFw5BZ-7HOwRteL8lnix1-VMmOuVV-AgH4YjO-DzJhS30So0N6FBvV3qmeZ_peAednu-a3yG5jV2betgCYGJ-WADg6K2LooNatQlVJSaK-EeIl1EjYXk/s1600/IMG_0621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgBPzgz9vnOBM53yqzXfrI4IEFw5BZ-7HOwRteL8lnix1-VMmOuVV-AgH4YjO-DzJhS30So0N6FBvV3qmeZ_peAednu-a3yG5jV2betgCYGJ-WADg6K2LooNatQlVJSaK-EeIl1EjYXk/s400/IMG_0621.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Here they are all huddled together to keep each other warm which is why they ship a minimum of 25 chicks.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsns0eJtO_gz07RBQ_yn1bXcaLgixIac-Dngn6J3-ej91RUmFgmjIg0QztBKo4bApl_BzCndvBl8SWwpqxMh81Lc6pzWTRESxepWz9EqL2H5G2c0EZXp4dO_klCViq9NvWdrR7oDQ_XA/s1600/IMG_0623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsns0eJtO_gz07RBQ_yn1bXcaLgixIac-Dngn6J3-ej91RUmFgmjIg0QztBKo4bApl_BzCndvBl8SWwpqxMh81Lc6pzWTRESxepWz9EqL2H5G2c0EZXp4dO_klCViq9NvWdrR7oDQ_XA/s400/IMG_0623.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
This is one of Megan's chick, what she believes to be a Dorking Bantam. I could not believe how small this bird was in my hand!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_CZCmElRxehKx0s4y56HlHW81Pvb3wkVfFyh8mlsHEQQPVBC85LkdQXPOeCvymQQ8rquM8kEHDuINEp7DmsrJscX_K7HzaPVVVAb6RiTg6B0VVrPWaXQ30MqkROiLEUJgR3tzxVJmeA/s1600/IMG_0625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_CZCmElRxehKx0s4y56HlHW81Pvb3wkVfFyh8mlsHEQQPVBC85LkdQXPOeCvymQQ8rquM8kEHDuINEp7DmsrJscX_K7HzaPVVVAb6RiTg6B0VVrPWaXQ30MqkROiLEUJgR3tzxVJmeA/s400/IMG_0625.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Here the chicks begin to eat and learn how to be chickens. Immediately after arrival you have to dunk each one's beak in water to teach it to drink. The seem to have eating down without any tutorial.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2Rr6dFwMHBx2-7ubNQrVJJ2u0XB2jpb-vs5_mZLMi04rC6KdUhkPCWCXsU86LZ4b-AFiQzY9kvRTA50LQgoZWoxlucIzj3EjGvgwvXEPCB8SSaplGmSmstS7x-Gs_EDv-uVSNLBpgD0/s1600/IMG_0627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2Rr6dFwMHBx2-7ubNQrVJJ2u0XB2jpb-vs5_mZLMi04rC6KdUhkPCWCXsU86LZ4b-AFiQzY9kvRTA50LQgoZWoxlucIzj3EjGvgwvXEPCB8SSaplGmSmstS7x-Gs_EDv-uVSNLBpgD0/s400/IMG_0627.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-86463680023624608232012-02-24T23:06:00.000-08:002012-02-24T23:19:56.728-08:00Please Vote for Our Beloved Pitbull, Mirka, to Appear on a Calendar!!Hi everyone!<br />
We would ask that you please vote for our beloved pit bull, Mirka-an amazing family dog, to appear in the 2013 Educate A Bull Calendar. By making a $5 donation to the rescue group you can vote for her. She is listed as #19 on the page (in no particular order)<br />
Thank you and here is the link: <a href="http://www.educateabull.org/info/display?PageID=10616">http://www.educateabull.org/info/display?PageID=10616</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDR0Bc1cpt6CfeMjomv5pVdSE5HCfAyxBePgLo5YWFfjyBWVKxQgLA6aTRF0R7aauBpyYxaSezkBAONjlbPWNt1Ugo7-qrhChlaXI3qwvMFZN_Ln8Y4LzN2pFyGZXn6N3GcJ0ydGvMoiY/s1600/IMG_0130+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDR0Bc1cpt6CfeMjomv5pVdSE5HCfAyxBePgLo5YWFfjyBWVKxQgLA6aTRF0R7aauBpyYxaSezkBAONjlbPWNt1Ugo7-qrhChlaXI3qwvMFZN_Ln8Y4LzN2pFyGZXn6N3GcJ0ydGvMoiY/s640/IMG_0130+-+Version+2.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
<br />eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-12846557140176698552012-02-24T04:04:00.001-08:002012-02-24T23:02:09.279-08:00I don't normally post things that don't have anything to do with the farm, but this video is of our son, Henrik, so I guess it has a lot to do with us and it is one of the cutest things ever. He laughs and laughs and laughs at Grandma's frog sound! Hoping that it brightens your day!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QfVJ7pnhD5o" width="420"></iframe>eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-31580786085705531862012-01-12T13:01:00.000-08:002013-03-24T12:09:42.537-07:00Pitbulls ARE Good Dogs. Period. AKA Pitbulls and Babies/Kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYox10da-N4dHIXievuc7hQFFtKXlqjRX9NazBqAf3sy3oNEnQJo6gHetG3l6kTM-Up8ndtEQPQGdN4P-LfI-f35RcwJmX1B-T7fPmr00zFdGC54k9wazEwHUPQeKKQe8KDLDNumO8pbE/s1600/IMG_0138+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYox10da-N4dHIXievuc7hQFFtKXlqjRX9NazBqAf3sy3oNEnQJo6gHetG3l6kTM-Up8ndtEQPQGdN4P-LfI-f35RcwJmX1B-T7fPmr00zFdGC54k9wazEwHUPQeKKQe8KDLDNumO8pbE/s640/IMG_0138+-+Version+2.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Hi, my name is Mirka!!!"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Mirka pronounced Meer Ka, meaning peace and glory in polish is a sweetheart. Mirka is a pitbull. She is an amazing family dog, as most pitbulls are. The truth is in these photos and our observations of her since our son was born on 10.10.11 I am a licensed veterinary technician so I know canine behavior and I know a good dog, regardless of breed. Mirka has a heart of gold and has never once shown ANY signs of aggression towards a human, child or cat-she simply doesn't have it in her. Mirka loves Henrik (our 12 week old son) beyond words (and no we would never leave her or any dog alone and unsupervised with him, ever). In fact Traveler, our recently deceased and beloved rescued Alaskan Malamute, was not a big fan of children, tolerating them for a while, but eventually gave them a warning snap when they irritated him too much, especially toddlers; he scared me around them more than she, the "evil" pitbull does...Mirka shows no signs of that. She seems to like other dogs too although she and Traveler did not get along because he decided he didn't like her.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1dxCFk6MHbjOsrsFqUjAd2jvn1og_0zK3zw4euAFS8L38eXmMBYJqon-daNN2g7s6NBgGOKrhFKBSKfO0B6uBzNIfiJKCilG6GfRKGf8FpSNIVCnax5HWNJjvaV8fQ7nAMGqLsmNV0g/s1600/IMG_0257+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1dxCFk6MHbjOsrsFqUjAd2jvn1og_0zK3zw4euAFS8L38eXmMBYJqon-daNN2g7s6NBgGOKrhFKBSKfO0B6uBzNIfiJKCilG6GfRKGf8FpSNIVCnax5HWNJjvaV8fQ7nAMGqLsmNV0g/s320/IMG_0257+-+Version+2.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="228" /></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
My wife and I have hearts bursting with happiness since our son Henrik was born. It has changed our life in ways that we could never imagined. All for the better. 10 days after he was born we euthanized our Malamute Traveler for spinal related issues that were causing him to be unable to walk, to which there was no treatment that would help. During this time our life was turned on its end and then some as we rode an emotional roller coaster with the birth of our son, the death of our dog all while Sarah fought back from nearly losing her life to post op C-section complications (severe anemia resulting from acute blood loss). We were stressed, tired, happy, sad and sick (Sarah) all at the same time. Our bodies and minds were at a breaking point because it was simply too much for 2 people to bear. Without the help of family and friends I don't know how we would have done that.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDR0Bc1cpt6CfeMjomv5pVdSE5HCfAyxBePgLo5YWFfjyBWVKxQgLA6aTRF0R7aauBpyYxaSezkBAONjlbPWNt1Ugo7-qrhChlaXI3qwvMFZN_Ln8Y4LzN2pFyGZXn6N3GcJ0ydGvMoiY/s1600/IMG_0130+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDR0Bc1cpt6CfeMjomv5pVdSE5HCfAyxBePgLo5YWFfjyBWVKxQgLA6aTRF0R7aauBpyYxaSezkBAONjlbPWNt1Ugo7-qrhChlaXI3qwvMFZN_Ln8Y4LzN2pFyGZXn6N3GcJ0ydGvMoiY/s320/IMG_0130+-+Version+2.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The other rock through all of this was Mirka. As we struggled to get our heads above water and find which end was up I won't lie and tell you that Mirka didn't go on the back burner. She spent more time in her crate than we would have liked as we made sense of our new life and made repeated trips back and forth to the hospital for Sarah, and oh yea tended to a newborn baby. Crates are a place of safety for dogs and they love them but it's not fair for them to spend too much time in them. At more than one point we thought about finding a new home for her as it would have been easier in light of everything that we had going on; and more fair to her. I am so glad we did not. Mirka showed us over and over that she was a patient dog, yes a pitbull in addition to being loving can be patient too, that would wait as long as we needed. She was amazing to say the least.</div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We took our time introducing Mirka to Henrik because after all he was this new screaming/squeeking "thing" that entered our house without warning and we weren't sure how she would be with him because he was after all new and something that she never, ever experienced before. Some dogs no matter the breed simply don't like babies or kids. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Mirka loved Henrik from the moment he came home but what worried us the most was her exuberence for life. While she has a heart of gold she sometimes forgets her manners and will kiss you to no end, all while not realizing just how strong or big she is, nor how solid like concrete her head is. We worried more that she would inadvertently hit his head with hers not that she was going to bite him. Over the past 3 months it has been very interesting, and heart warming for that matter, to see Mirka's acceptance of Henrik into the family and how she really seems to truly cherish his company; wanting to be around him but not showing too much interest in him. Simply being next to him or in the same room seems to make her day complete, seeing that like a cat, she basically finds a warm spot and curls up in a tight ball staying there for hours. They are both very similar in this respect, Mirka and Henrik that is.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA216wiPF7pyqplPn1ESH5UU9NALnl-BcjDEE8J88llMIzYuoI0SQYgbab-FNpTH68h8FPb4ogUK3cCAR1GtkHg4Kk8dXUyjo81V-eoYjz_34zMygU1QGSehte2LXOulFcBN9H5sMBLWI/s1600/IMG_0133+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA216wiPF7pyqplPn1ESH5UU9NALnl-BcjDEE8J88llMIzYuoI0SQYgbab-FNpTH68h8FPb4ogUK3cCAR1GtkHg4Kk8dXUyjo81V-eoYjz_34zMygU1QGSehte2LXOulFcBN9H5sMBLWI/s320/IMG_0133+-+Version+2.jpg" width="228" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqZ4dX592Zc_HwItZF31psIb080RR-XxvrZk0I2K90hfG1FACDvYjzAhhdSu4fZYBdxrPIH0_a9RKf0Ci_cRPPMEnrCN0V5-osZhjhoOUEkBq_mPadJvqqc7bNrT447zR4g8LgNevquc/s1600/IMG_0144+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqZ4dX592Zc_HwItZF31psIb080RR-XxvrZk0I2K90hfG1FACDvYjzAhhdSu4fZYBdxrPIH0_a9RKf0Ci_cRPPMEnrCN0V5-osZhjhoOUEkBq_mPadJvqqc7bNrT447zR4g8LgNevquc/s320/IMG_0144+-+Version+2.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
At the beginning she certainly showed a great deal of interest in him wanting to kiss him, disregarding how little he was and that he was sound asleep. Over time it changed to her showing less and less overt interest in him but rather a quick hello kiss, no longer so excited and interested that her size might injure. Once she checks in on him she is then off to do her dog things that dogs do, especially sleeping. She also realized how she could appropriately use her body around him so that she wouldn't inadvertenly injure him. We are always in the same room with the two of them but If Henrik cries she will check on him and will give us a look as if to say "Are you going to do anything about that?" almost supervising us. If he is napping on one of us she can often be found sleeping right next to us with her head on our lap, often touching Henrik while they both snooze. Sometimes he has his hands on top of her head. When pitbulls first came into existence they were bred to protect children and I can see why. She loves his company. It's almost as if, as we say; she is Henrik's "doggie." So sweet. Just wait until he is eating solid foods and rewards her for being so close by accidentally dropping food on the floor. It's called positive reinforcement; the idea that if she waits like a good girl patiently good things will come.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7W7YY2nivCKRv5YvX5SAsaS3YWIwJaM-kIn208ncz2VI3q1syNFDhMx9_njPQut9YSEesZ4ft2Tjqs7-rcn95viifgc0eTiSBIiiqNlgcx7gqCJ5Q8rfUu40R0sKcKqpME5G2P_rAFM/s1600/IMG_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7W7YY2nivCKRv5YvX5SAsaS3YWIwJaM-kIn208ncz2VI3q1syNFDhMx9_njPQut9YSEesZ4ft2Tjqs7-rcn95viifgc0eTiSBIiiqNlgcx7gqCJ5Q8rfUu40R0sKcKqpME5G2P_rAFM/s320/IMG_0026.JPG" width="320" /></a>I know that some of you reading this are probably cringing at the thought of us allowing our son to be so close to a "killer" dog and I assure you that if we felt our son was in any danger we wouldn't even consider it. The same holds true for thousands and thousands of family pitbulls around the country in that they too are excellent family dogs- I know of several owner by co-workers. To this some of you will say that plenty of pitbulls that were considered family dogs injure children, people and other dogs all the time. While this may be true just because a dog lives with a family does not mean it will not do harm. The dog either was in a situation that when pushed, it acted out on its animal instincts (the very reason not to leave ANY BREED of dog unsupervised with a child), wasn't always truly good around people to begin with and dogs do bite. Any dog.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Pitbulls are often the preferred breed of choice for gun toting thugs and gang members because of the terror they induce and they look tough. This certainly doesn't help their cause. Sadly pitbulls are currently the poster child for the child eating, blood thirsty bad dog. It was Rottweiler's before them, Doberman's before that, German Shepherd's before that, and the list goes on and on. Will your favorite breed be next? To bestow such negative stereotypes on a breed is not only breedist (think racist but for dogs) but downright wrong. This current stereotype stems from the fact that the breed is used in dog fights and also when the rare attack on a human does occur they inflict a lot of damage because of the power they have in their jaws. Truthfully though this accounts for less than 1% of the pitbulls out there and it's too bad that they aren't known for all the good they do: family dogs, agility dogs, service dogs, assistance dogs, therapy dogs, etc. Anything that your favorite breed does, so do they, and probably better because they have so much love to give that they often burst forth and smile. They have a zest for life that is almost unparalelled in the canine world.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Also as a result of this negative stereotype there are thousands, if not more, of beautiful, loving pitbulls that are homeless and euthanized every year because of the false and bad publicity that they receive. Many communities have banned the breed (which includes other "bully" breeds as well) and banned people from owning them going so far as making people give them up, in essence giving up a family member to be put down. Look at your dog right now...what if someone told you that you had to give it up to be killed simply because of the breed that it was born as even though it may have nothing but love to give people? Many pitbulls <i>are</i> indeed involved in attacks of other dogs, people and children every year but so are many other breeds, including mixed breeds but they don't make the news like pitbulls do. Those attacks always make the news but you never hear about a family's cocker spaniel when it bites a child in the face requiring stitches do you? These pitbulls involved in these attacks are dogs that are not in good situations and are often results of poor breeding programs, poor training, poor living conditions and abuse. Pitbulls are used to fight other dogs but they must also be best friends with humans; they have to be because a human is a fighting dog's handler. Many of the fighting dogs want nothing to do with fighting and choose not to. Those "failures" are usually put down. That is unless they are given an opportunity to start over as did 96% of the dogs that were rescued from Michael Vick's dog fighting organization.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtwcINYBZEFMuOOHpgtug0ZpvxUBDWphHRs6O7mkcdaqvZ5ExkSmD2hyphenhyphenG3Y5ZfuN6d0AaehZWa-pS3g9HCeUqwss_-Md8-N1PlZe6aclEI8PYc8IHTTTrvm7DbZeaJWAlcGd9UIHdOek/s1600/IMG_0253+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtwcINYBZEFMuOOHpgtug0ZpvxUBDWphHRs6O7mkcdaqvZ5ExkSmD2hyphenhyphenG3Y5ZfuN6d0AaehZWa-pS3g9HCeUqwss_-Md8-N1PlZe6aclEI8PYc8IHTTTrvm7DbZeaJWAlcGd9UIHdOek/s320/IMG_0253+-+Version+2.jpg" width="228" /></a><br />
Most of these dogs from Vick's "club" ended up with families or are in rescue. They were lucky to have human intervention and be rescued by some incredibly canine smart, and loving, human beings who knew that these dogs were not vicious monsters but rather good dogs that were in a bad situation who deserved another chance. Those placed with families are obviously great with people and children. The rescue groups involved simply have too much to lose to put a dog in that type of situation without being 100% certain that the dog is not going to harm anyone. For those that ended up in permanent homes in rescue it was because the dogs, while good with people, were too shy or had too many permanent behavior issues as a result of the bad breeding, poor conditions and poor care...not to mention being forced to fight or strapped down while raped to produce more pups. For all these dogs to come through on the other side after having been through so much and having seen the face of evil speaks volumes about the breed. Bottom line is that they are good dogs. A good dog should be thought of as a good dog regardless of breed. Any breed has the potential to be bad or cause harm just as any race of humans can do the same. As a white male I would never expect to be lumped in with someone like the KKK, just as not all Muslims are terrorists...what I am getting at is that there is trash of every color and evil people of every color but we choose not to (hopefully) define a group by the small percentage of that race or group that chooses to do bad. To that end we shouldn't lump all the thousands of good pitbulls in with the small percentage of the bad ones. Would you say that Golden Retrievers are bad dogs? Well, why not; they attack children too. What about Cocker Spaniels? I didn't think so.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.moderndogmagazine.com/articles/what-it-about-pit-bulls/17294">http://www.moderndogmagazine.com/articles/what-it-about-pit-bulls/17294</a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Sadly due to the ignorance of the general public, misinformed media and the demonization of a breed that loves people and family as much as any breed out there, there are many good pit bulls out there in need of homes. There are not enough homes for them and thousands of good dogs are being euthanized every year. We as humans are failing them. </div>
<div>
The day late in 2010 when Mirka was brought into our hospital as a stray that needed a home has turned out to be one of the best days of my life. I never thought that I could ever love another dog as much as we loved Traveler. Mirka is well on her way to making that happen. Our life is all the better with her in it. What's not to love about a dog with a heart of gold. You bet she's a pitbull. To anthropomorphosize the situation: she doesn't hold it against us (not that she knows or can possibly choose to) that humans are responsible for killing many of her kind due to misinformation and breed prejudice. In fact we as humans as responsible for more atrocities to her kind than they to our kind.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Before condemning an entire breed, let a pitbull lick your face and get to know it. You'll never feel the same way again. If you can't do that I would ask that you not speak out against them. If you do you are perpetuating a negative stereotype and helping to send more dogs to their death. Just like this one that I have fallen madly in love with and by the way she is a blood donor at my hospital saving the lives of other dogs. Everyone at the veterinary hospital where I work loves her. She is a great ambassador for the breed. When she visits she makes her round smiling that big pit bull smile, tail not stop wagging. Yes, thousands and thousands of them are killed and homeless due to ignorance. <b>Just like this one:</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDZy_SOhRHrz7jpsGZW8Uph8t8VlgA8sqWDb5rz91VzwoABG06WHsfgRmNjY20x_7atyw7r_lxJ8dk7qh-ctWxDZxVAYecwTFG29Em8ubBBGiJri5cEPAgKcusgCPJ5rO0GOqLwyp7oE/s1600/IMG_0245+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDZy_SOhRHrz7jpsGZW8Uph8t8VlgA8sqWDb5rz91VzwoABG06WHsfgRmNjY20x_7atyw7r_lxJ8dk7qh-ctWxDZxVAYecwTFG29Em8ubBBGiJri5cEPAgKcusgCPJ5rO0GOqLwyp7oE/s400/IMG_0245+-+Version+2.jpg" width="285" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
an excellent resource that is working to change the public's perception of pit bulls: <a href="http://stubbydog.org/">http://stubbydog.org/</a><br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-80584806893980667012012-01-09T21:17:00.000-08:002012-01-09T21:19:59.596-08:00This song makes me happy!I don't often post about things unrelated to the farm but music is very much part of my life, infusing all parts of it so in a way it is very much about the farm. This song is by one of my favorite bands, the shins. It makes me happy and sounds so positive doesn't it? A great way to start 2012. Enjoy! Turn it up loud!<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F32881757%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-k0Rs7&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true&color=a65b58" width="100%"></iframe>eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-54368454848550370842012-01-03T17:31:00.000-08:002012-02-24T23:01:43.299-08:00Weather Extremes and Chicken UpdateWe had arguably the most mild December in terms of weather that I can ever remember. Not only did we have very little snow and a green Christmas but the temps approached 50 degrees. Around Christmas it also finally stopped raining and the animals here at Czar of the Woods were very happy to get out and enjoy the unseasonably warm weather and sunshine.<br />
The chickens are finally producing more eggs in part because of the new ones that we adopted from the SPCA (not only are the new ones producing more but it seems to have induced the others to lay more as well), the weather and I told them that they would end up as soup if they didn't start earning their keep. As you can see the chickens thoroughly enjoyed time outside in their chicken yard for Christmas.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uLXn3U7A1TsHMYae_kxhACZrek2JY3isokg3KwF_wukf0FYGQfH5C8e1zlMozyi84hU23NsIhSUmzvaO59hRGUQIzdPkHTyh0N4-OIl6uG-TiiElGgd1m_baDH_vfsqgLCTqgNDBrudE/s1600/IMG_0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uLXn3U7A1TsHMYae_kxhACZrek2JY3isokg3KwF_wukf0FYGQfH5C8e1zlMozyi84hU23NsIhSUmzvaO59hRGUQIzdPkHTyh0N4-OIl6uG-TiiElGgd1m_baDH_vfsqgLCTqgNDBrudE/s400/IMG_0153.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqL40DLgMKxaixlQOtEWCUKm3Nmaf6rzfDHnlpFkY7bisehSj8CiqolVhTVeNrN70gev9FHZNOaYhnGawz6PQfG2E8pjqVluTN97lVZeV4MTFmwK1ZdqsmdPwerTtsBVu1vr9S1uOO0R1U/s1600/IMG_0154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqL40DLgMKxaixlQOtEWCUKm3Nmaf6rzfDHnlpFkY7bisehSj8CiqolVhTVeNrN70gev9FHZNOaYhnGawz6PQfG2E8pjqVluTN97lVZeV4MTFmwK1ZdqsmdPwerTtsBVu1vr9S1uOO0R1U/s400/IMG_0154.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGKA8FKNqAkzydb-FXsAE_fW4GOXXgF0oWCrX-r6binGp9t6MKdkx-zF6oxLHGIyb9YMWOJoW0m8MZKnzW20NrVkO1XwGgN_53XvAGpkQOehgxH7_skqLkXXA9JkIbrfwIZHJ6giU4OxR/s1600/IMG_0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGKA8FKNqAkzydb-FXsAE_fW4GOXXgF0oWCrX-r6binGp9t6MKdkx-zF6oxLHGIyb9YMWOJoW0m8MZKnzW20NrVkO1XwGgN_53XvAGpkQOehgxH7_skqLkXXA9JkIbrfwIZHJ6giU4OxR/s400/IMG_0157.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IUBviNt9TlRW2OPHGdHzfXtr_LOh_sFJKfL5IqPj3SPJTFTDNPE_9G5P8n1zx8viv79BBlKX3X2lV8zC5PEZ_Dfpi3z6sBqzy-kLxHxrjIrBp-k9u1M8zVndBEH-YMV5klNRGEjXooOj/s1600/IMG_0159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IUBviNt9TlRW2OPHGdHzfXtr_LOh_sFJKfL5IqPj3SPJTFTDNPE_9G5P8n1zx8viv79BBlKX3X2lV8zC5PEZ_Dfpi3z6sBqzy-kLxHxrjIrBp-k9u1M8zVndBEH-YMV5klNRGEjXooOj/s400/IMG_0159.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisD6kGmYJRZ6OENsLhKbowNVApxGGZt4SsttkfbLwLGZJuYqmGH8bJxypJBdL5Pt_GEG6OzNl3tLRg4o4WVD1xIOQ-0ZwNvf8Yp29mzo3Md-W6h2pS_HSwE6J4OtLD-Aozy0W1lsyUz3PB/s1600/IMG_0160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisD6kGmYJRZ6OENsLhKbowNVApxGGZt4SsttkfbLwLGZJuYqmGH8bJxypJBdL5Pt_GEG6OzNl3tLRg4o4WVD1xIOQ-0ZwNvf8Yp29mzo3Md-W6h2pS_HSwE6J4OtLD-Aozy0W1lsyUz3PB/s400/IMG_0160.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ejJoPtPlABM-VO6ZgzKJb0q8-ABjs3UYXLTqnNAYALyM3zve9catE3uSWqqNUCFFCALN0aXIQDpjnnK-maICIDG3QKu-G3gHOcgzSg0xlsfwz3yWeAwHFssw80piBrZcjfGFTelvW0MR/s1600/IMG_0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ejJoPtPlABM-VO6ZgzKJb0q8-ABjs3UYXLTqnNAYALyM3zve9catE3uSWqqNUCFFCALN0aXIQDpjnnK-maICIDG3QKu-G3gHOcgzSg0xlsfwz3yWeAwHFssw80piBrZcjfGFTelvW0MR/s400/IMG_0161.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The bounty!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrE8ZtWYNZYFBgK1ffJUnUWP7jznKffYosRP59OjarFXLpXeR3sdwr0rmqqBTh2A-Pd-FVxyvpf9CIuBdRxU7J6iw6e5_odEniQk3S5meNjgKoRZmNclpGmH8Ym6bfRHP5j6goBRggMi8/s1600/IMG_0178+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrE8ZtWYNZYFBgK1ffJUnUWP7jznKffYosRP59OjarFXLpXeR3sdwr0rmqqBTh2A-Pd-FVxyvpf9CIuBdRxU7J6iw6e5_odEniQk3S5meNjgKoRZmNclpGmH8Ym6bfRHP5j6goBRggMi8/s400/IMG_0178+-+Version+2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Even the horses got outside for the first time in a while due to all the rain and mud.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFCGOcjx3-BXFqmXJryyAfKoGsP1_4icDco_GeeqHVGaksMsI23K6it2Y3JP3odZfxMPD2N7R4HQ5eIKetxGmVln-4x_3_kH-TpNY4IoxLQyG3j_nv72yZ-qs9g8SimQBvarEgupEAn65/s1600/IMG_0168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFCGOcjx3-BXFqmXJryyAfKoGsP1_4icDco_GeeqHVGaksMsI23K6it2Y3JP3odZfxMPD2N7R4HQ5eIKetxGmVln-4x_3_kH-TpNY4IoxLQyG3j_nv72yZ-qs9g8SimQBvarEgupEAn65/s400/IMG_0168.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tOlG5DypraeTMZ-zAeaorW8woxKlmo3zfEjHHUaBcNRt_udldwHB2XnMrB4Z3qZ4Fg3bZOMVHKycGLUJutVa06RRHDZCeX95nCo5B8lkPhP83g7l0om5_J_NlnH0ooQi4MMu1la9ogkT/s1600/IMG_0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tOlG5DypraeTMZ-zAeaorW8woxKlmo3zfEjHHUaBcNRt_udldwHB2XnMrB4Z3qZ4Fg3bZOMVHKycGLUJutVa06RRHDZCeX95nCo5B8lkPhP83g7l0om5_J_NlnH0ooQi4MMu1la9ogkT/s400/IMG_0166.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And what a difference a week makes. These photos taken with my new outdoor, mounted wildlife camera (more on this to follow in a coming post) show winter as we have come to know it around here...thermometer on the barn reads negative one degree fahrenheit (30+ in the barn due to heat the horses give off). This is more like it, although I don't like it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1k7__d8N-BDAe1TSkq4EQ3n1a6Epjpoj4dQ_K775BFb49plWAEgD3YLcnDwGjaurZI447sMwYxK6IcDg5bnFXXy9kPj_iREG1a3emu35IYQKLChbnzLlPL31FC5ZiWFct2aTMIKwq9a_/s1600/PICT0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1k7__d8N-BDAe1TSkq4EQ3n1a6Epjpoj4dQ_K775BFb49plWAEgD3YLcnDwGjaurZI447sMwYxK6IcDg5bnFXXy9kPj_iREG1a3emu35IYQKLChbnzLlPL31FC5ZiWFct2aTMIKwq9a_/s400/PICT0055.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQIxZXGPMEtWzvCXgxewUAoa6tK41fLnMvv_PbgPHQFOrFLCcJcTbIWsk28nkpj7YlMS02RVTFFPpnAU8tYro1LqJUXUAciXS5stMrgyPdRgfQdJ4S8vWz2swQs3L6nWKAno4IKc956Xc/s1600/PICT0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQIxZXGPMEtWzvCXgxewUAoa6tK41fLnMvv_PbgPHQFOrFLCcJcTbIWsk28nkpj7YlMS02RVTFFPpnAU8tYro1LqJUXUAciXS5stMrgyPdRgfQdJ4S8vWz2swQs3L6nWKAno4IKc956Xc/s400/PICT0064.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-76194869150536068072011-12-11T06:27:00.001-08:002011-12-11T07:28:28.316-08:00Operation Chicken Drop or Chickens Can Be Real A#@holes!I wanted to increase the number of chickens in our flock because my 17 chickens have not been producing enough eggs for us or for my egg business at work. On a good day lately I would consider myself lucky if I got 4 eggs. The eggs usually vary from day to day so I know that many of the chickens are laying but too few and far between to keep up with demand. Supply was low. I can't blame it on the cold either because this had been going on since the summer when a good number then was 7-9 eggs/day with that number slowly decreasing. In the spring most of our chickens will be 2 years old which is arguably approaching the end of good egg laying days for the girls.<br />
When we initially bought our chicks in the spring of 2010 we picked a variety mostly for looks and not necessarily all heavy layers. We get many big eggs and many small eggs from the smaller, but unique looking chickens; variety in chicken and variety in egg is nice but I really want consistency now that I've gotten the unique chicken thing out of my system. Chicken feed certainly isn't getting any cheaper and the girls need to earn their keep. Periodically in every flock chickens die and over the past almost 2 years we went from 20 or 21 down to 17. Time to get more chickens.<br />
There are several means to get chickens: buy as chicks on-line or at a local feed store (not possible this time of year), friends of friends that raise them, craigslist, or rescue. I opted for the last, well thought I would look into it anyway. Within the last couple weeks I contacted the Erie County SPCA (where we adopted our pot-bellied pig in January 2010) to see if they had any hens that might be looking for homes. At the time they did not but a few days ago I got an email from the barn manager to tell me that some hens became available. <br />
There were 5 in all: 4 white chickens (possibly White Orpingtons or White Rocks) that were found as strays in Elma (Elmanian chickens-since my parents live in Elma my mom and I will periodically discuss whether or not they are Elmanians (read terrorist sounding) or Elmanites (Amish sounding) as my mom prefers) and a Red Star that came from somewhere else. They all seem to be laying eggs quite nicely so I decided to go check them out. Drove out to the SPCA yesterday and the place was a hive of activity as they were in the middle of their annual Radiothon to raise money. I was happy that most of the dog kennels their had signs on them saying "Adopted: going home soon" or "Adoption Pending." I didn't get to see the cats because the place was full of people waiting to get processed and take their forever pets home. We have plenty of those furry types for now so I was the guy adopting chickens. Yep, I like what I saw so they came home with me. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4fPt7T-5rJmXM4l1qzBCfEkDVUkEzahyphenhyphenDWLYwKNzSzawDo71rJINbIsIsaTq0s5wI3HkKe8kzC5w34Yrxc-0IqzMZpz0CUT3gwOyfI76obTM3nqZksJDHhxQsRumZAiBumY-OUx7e8Q/s1600/IMG_0078+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4fPt7T-5rJmXM4l1qzBCfEkDVUkEzahyphenhyphenDWLYwKNzSzawDo71rJINbIsIsaTq0s5wI3HkKe8kzC5w34Yrxc-0IqzMZpz0CUT3gwOyfI76obTM3nqZksJDHhxQsRumZAiBumY-OUx7e8Q/s320/IMG_0078+-+Version+2.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGe4AkcHZtX60fXJqpSLabVtMYm7VbuOznx8jhG80_5k1pBf7NG3LXpfl1y6x_zGUr8laPYOOzs0FWWVfo32IUhDrDCAfFp6Ey1lBi17x6d3s-s2b51Dh-FhanfdKQL3qkTsGrGQlQb0/s1600/IMG_0082+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGe4AkcHZtX60fXJqpSLabVtMYm7VbuOznx8jhG80_5k1pBf7NG3LXpfl1y6x_zGUr8laPYOOzs0FWWVfo32IUhDrDCAfFp6Ey1lBi17x6d3s-s2b51Dh-FhanfdKQL3qkTsGrGQlQb0/s320/IMG_0082+-+Version+2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
2 hens in one dog crate and 3 in the other. 2 of the white hens had some feather loss; who knows why since they were strays. Could be normal molting or weather related.<br />
<br />
The chickens remained in the crates until nightfall at which point I added them to the flock of "sleeping" chickens. Flocks are much more likely to accept new members if added at night because they are in a way tricked into thinking that they were there all along. Chickens are not the brightest...or always the nicest. <br />
First thing this morning I checked on how things were going and if the new girls were assimilating, being allowed to is more like it, into the flock. The coop was very loud as the girls were trying to figure out what happened overnight. For the most part things were going well but of course the chickens were picking, literally, on the one that had the most feather loss. Not sure how long this will go on but once chickens lock in on something they tend to not give up on it. It can take months for them to accept a chicken, and will beat up on it in the meanwhile. Not all chickens survive the hazing process. I hope that is not the case here. Chickens CAN be a#@holes!<br />
<br />
The 4 chickens on the ground are 4 of the 5 new ones.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYxmUT3RwxO1yFg7icMC-RoAw-QNYx99aE4Wd7aV0gHzsi9yrcGGPKdb2trYRTwsm-fKOu9EzI_H2x0x3uGR9NqVJ5FCgXB_ZgxUdAozN2LTIJs7N7HwkGCsN46ScQO2tVYy5gGjqjdw/s1600/IMG_0103+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYxmUT3RwxO1yFg7icMC-RoAw-QNYx99aE4Wd7aV0gHzsi9yrcGGPKdb2trYRTwsm-fKOu9EzI_H2x0x3uGR9NqVJ5FCgXB_ZgxUdAozN2LTIJs7N7HwkGCsN46ScQO2tVYy5gGjqjdw/s400/IMG_0103+-+Version+2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
And the 2 white ones to the right are new...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcipMIVJ69oS8bZsphW2XxwLfeS-zHs6f7fN2aw8p6UmzrO2h5Eua1Rb0k9T3gwmSj7yjNBWbzRbspKcH0df421iszw07I_G-05iH_hAdFhFV7M43DAcqRZSGUAUs7pbNWqg4Ztzw6DhA/s1600/IMG_0105+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcipMIVJ69oS8bZsphW2XxwLfeS-zHs6f7fN2aw8p6UmzrO2h5Eua1Rb0k9T3gwmSj7yjNBWbzRbspKcH0df421iszw07I_G-05iH_hAdFhFV7M43DAcqRZSGUAUs7pbNWqg4Ztzw6DhA/s400/IMG_0105+-+Version+2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
Breakfast in the coop is always fun to watch!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTP0DgDBaozUDoR-_eyP7e_TPzhxtJe_3PwK4ZHHextmM4xfSX_SO7MvXVYmqicBSfac7VynUZD9LA0wd2Fm5hnUKaW7mtTbKIO1VnVI4_scoXZnF0Ff1rinbmZueEqHFsYVZVV3YYU4/s1600/IMG_0107+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTP0DgDBaozUDoR-_eyP7e_TPzhxtJe_3PwK4ZHHextmM4xfSX_SO7MvXVYmqicBSfac7VynUZD9LA0wd2Fm5hnUKaW7mtTbKIO1VnVI4_scoXZnF0Ff1rinbmZueEqHFsYVZVV3YYU4/s400/IMG_0107+-+Version+2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KYYYaIfIKwvvLXWmet2vO9qpHzVfRInZkrK9HJL5w4hks2jxEnQm8tcCG0-aOpIaW3iivhMvjWnZ7zTm5D6iUYpA8MmTCM9qvdixDmIX8ERgSrXHQiz-dOjfXaXh8fpO-0yXd-UAO_M/s1600/IMG_0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KYYYaIfIKwvvLXWmet2vO9qpHzVfRInZkrK9HJL5w4hks2jxEnQm8tcCG0-aOpIaW3iivhMvjWnZ7zTm5D6iUYpA8MmTCM9qvdixDmIX8ERgSrXHQiz-dOjfXaXh8fpO-0yXd-UAO_M/s400/IMG_0113.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And Czar, backlit by the morning sun coming through his window eats his breakfast and wants to know what all the ruckus is about.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMSCTYhLQrflZge0b6NI7oSGVOnQFSDKNAmEuuzWmP5JoN3luCj_yFA-joEfmZBpJQkRIIHULyJ1oNM3ztzzXA9b0p98R9VqYe7ZiTtRwzzcZ97JcxjNsLxkNsL0YbZ_qkR9AwpVla7Q/s1600/IMG_0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMSCTYhLQrflZge0b6NI7oSGVOnQFSDKNAmEuuzWmP5JoN3luCj_yFA-joEfmZBpJQkRIIHULyJ1oNM3ztzzXA9b0p98R9VqYe7ZiTtRwzzcZ97JcxjNsLxkNsL0YbZ_qkR9AwpVla7Q/s400/IMG_0120.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
As does Divo.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYzOwVffPsADkIB24TM5iTluwca4EZxj5KJNoieU3Y_z_j9E4shMWuNPDGt7iLu4fFyWUVddoYHXfSL-SooOewWYBMkIIWXQu0rfiQyDvlaZbse3g1o6DgAWcyKSZ13WksjLipM1NEVc/s1600/IMG_0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYzOwVffPsADkIB24TM5iTluwca4EZxj5KJNoieU3Y_z_j9E4shMWuNPDGt7iLu4fFyWUVddoYHXfSL-SooOewWYBMkIIWXQu0rfiQyDvlaZbse3g1o6DgAWcyKSZ13WksjLipM1NEVc/s400/IMG_0122.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-4080675197840044322011-12-05T15:36:00.000-08:002011-12-05T22:06:11.759-08:00Plus One/Minus One: the Birth of Our Son, Henrik; the Loss of TravelerOn October 10th, 2011 Sarah and I welcomed our first son, Henrik Finn, into the world and he arrived epicly, to say the least. To give you the brief version: 27 hours of labor, followed by an unplanned c-section, followed by Sarah hemorrhaging and needing a blood transfusion due to losing half her blood volume (had it been a different era she would have died during childbirth and if not then, from the hemorrhage for sure). I am lucky that she is still here. That was scary beyond words. All in all we stayed in the hospital for a total of 6 days (we were camping at the hospital in Fort Henrik as we deemed it). I have never seen anything like the labor that Sarah went through; it was mindblowing! She could have easily moved a mountain with the amount of energy that she put into it but for some reason our little 6# 13 oz son wouldn't budge. I have never seen anything like it. The word does not exist to describe just what it was. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWbiISzXT1B9ihQI3BC0pSzyPc-xtWh-Hs71P2SMoHFNMyRLGoA43J24yq71jlQerF9v4_RsrC1JL06KVaEqN8ZBxHXvE94XfDHX_RWz6q28vRIHC-FM2LQUx3xqZpAcbPDYUT_l7EtYH/s1600/IMG_9356A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWbiISzXT1B9ihQI3BC0pSzyPc-xtWh-Hs71P2SMoHFNMyRLGoA43J24yq71jlQerF9v4_RsrC1JL06KVaEqN8ZBxHXvE94XfDHX_RWz6q28vRIHC-FM2LQUx3xqZpAcbPDYUT_l7EtYH/s320/IMG_9356A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGhXvfj4KEMzzEM3p0DWYvF2hjuSfGCKoV76LSUoE3sngChw2hNXuOPVG03uX12Nu7lq9SBm99UKd9MOsRrPaJ3iNKkiPfuQ7-3gLMqBqjqzl3TPst7gaw3wS8dp8sWBCdsCQMiN8LExD/s1600/IMG_9368A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGhXvfj4KEMzzEM3p0DWYvF2hjuSfGCKoV76LSUoE3sngChw2hNXuOPVG03uX12Nu7lq9SBm99UKd9MOsRrPaJ3iNKkiPfuQ7-3gLMqBqjqzl3TPst7gaw3wS8dp8sWBCdsCQMiN8LExD/s320/IMG_9368A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCtEaFY6J0cBihmKG-3Qs4alyMfnfKTS9JCMisb4XoUrnYYhy453iHiAjZ8Yd7XWLX66QoRmzDEjP800q8DRZdwz4f-0E-u7zSg-0DkQ8BdLL-p71Tcx0xcpRxjCz1GEzAYXgob1SChrl/s1600/IMG_9397A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCtEaFY6J0cBihmKG-3Qs4alyMfnfKTS9JCMisb4XoUrnYYhy453iHiAjZ8Yd7XWLX66QoRmzDEjP800q8DRZdwz4f-0E-u7zSg-0DkQ8BdLL-p71Tcx0xcpRxjCz1GEzAYXgob1SChrl/s320/IMG_9397A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9o_RhY9eY-wPEyoPR1SCxYu9EEjYYU1DuTruXeD0NJk2di3zaE0o-KGqXJwZUrj1KVJdSwECMmgme52Hy09D3ge4hzjC0oDcYlOZKstsPQ1_IEm2Wm_qyryorAbkmtT-gPHgFn65_6RFv/s1600/IMG_9392A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9o_RhY9eY-wPEyoPR1SCxYu9EEjYYU1DuTruXeD0NJk2di3zaE0o-KGqXJwZUrj1KVJdSwECMmgme52Hy09D3ge4hzjC0oDcYlOZKstsPQ1_IEm2Wm_qyryorAbkmtT-gPHgFn65_6RFv/s320/IMG_9392A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJT8dwUw3GiPULNm_KNkwzujLjdsAwKba4I0dzkYXrR3o1cVbmUmtj91kvXFRa92xqwg_THRWfllxJ-IywQ5UTeBIFfPRLzsIlyAAsvNlvdI_Z9yQnCZOSPKYZ9Bwu72_4i_jPIUNmeLK/s1600/IMG_9479A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJT8dwUw3GiPULNm_KNkwzujLjdsAwKba4I0dzkYXrR3o1cVbmUmtj91kvXFRa92xqwg_THRWfllxJ-IywQ5UTeBIFfPRLzsIlyAAsvNlvdI_Z9yQnCZOSPKYZ9Bwu72_4i_jPIUNmeLK/s320/IMG_9479A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxdb4BSQt1txDZHUjR8thYoeLL5mZorpRmQqGB8XGPx3z-i-OVyvPy3z6y_XUwoj2V2qI24HOSTIz1j6_XGu4YpCZvZx8K3fWxomS2xayAg8ixnR51p2OrjTi8m1-N3y4ToeecS90zxeM/s1600/IMG_9786A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxdb4BSQt1txDZHUjR8thYoeLL5mZorpRmQqGB8XGPx3z-i-OVyvPy3z6y_XUwoj2V2qI24HOSTIz1j6_XGu4YpCZvZx8K3fWxomS2xayAg8ixnR51p2OrjTi8m1-N3y4ToeecS90zxeM/s320/IMG_9786A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUoQF8X9Ri4y4m0J3UhShz34KlUOIa5JS5G0M5Hy3bVJPJmlcT14_1FfODgXpoB8RU7xmr8yEWMPDkUnkVvW9-yJlTLyPTjVcLOjhVX_1lOhmF2o89wAH4DpzuMJPK5kXRIyMDID-VQDf/s1600/IMG_9579A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUoQF8X9Ri4y4m0J3UhShz34KlUOIa5JS5G0M5Hy3bVJPJmlcT14_1FfODgXpoB8RU7xmr8yEWMPDkUnkVvW9-yJlTLyPTjVcLOjhVX_1lOhmF2o89wAH4DpzuMJPK5kXRIyMDID-VQDf/s320/IMG_9579A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUMG03p6jjryHx5Z7PnS7qqTInnLhLujiyZrDmP3DoR5IF978gwqj_Q0p2dx5JJc7wGQLp80ECFLYVJT9iQFCd2M4lG_H8KaReFnWxYjZcNry5dB3y0fVILzyHogfxLQmnyxPFzcRjkKH/s1600/IMG_9794A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUMG03p6jjryHx5Z7PnS7qqTInnLhLujiyZrDmP3DoR5IF978gwqj_Q0p2dx5JJc7wGQLp80ECFLYVJT9iQFCd2M4lG_H8KaReFnWxYjZcNry5dB3y0fVILzyHogfxLQmnyxPFzcRjkKH/s320/IMG_9794A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrcJbdsUH83CxNumO6IpBd_g6Gnamk6DtdFA1T4iNFDCoVEdIDONMLYs9o7vQ2Lw5xjORxTKL2S-UKqWgxHXnmChwBPXNObuSc0yzE4MzlV-wTzOxU0sh9a3_Cpix3UFnhUouy_QspBaR/s1600/IMG_7345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrcJbdsUH83CxNumO6IpBd_g6Gnamk6DtdFA1T4iNFDCoVEdIDONMLYs9o7vQ2Lw5xjORxTKL2S-UKqWgxHXnmChwBPXNObuSc0yzE4MzlV-wTzOxU0sh9a3_Cpix3UFnhUouy_QspBaR/s320/IMG_7345.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6JgzZTOw7P1s3hMXDFzZSdtYG2Qk8511BgZLIFLnLZgFKQhrO2q-H7BOS3a39D7eTYFoWkEr-rgPUc362kv_bdqbgMcvZAi1G23yQdN_J6gaOPjX1idCYe_s8UocUpdSg7Lmz1eiCG1E/s1600/IMG_7379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6JgzZTOw7P1s3hMXDFzZSdtYG2Qk8511BgZLIFLnLZgFKQhrO2q-H7BOS3a39D7eTYFoWkEr-rgPUc362kv_bdqbgMcvZAi1G23yQdN_J6gaOPjX1idCYe_s8UocUpdSg7Lmz1eiCG1E/s320/IMG_7379.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and mother of the year...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdosbBUzyGvLkOdGFQ71AEW07HyQMRgvmFl4tSzHmcD49MecCLjRkYrzj0pl_fWOrzjhbSdIPNfxBX0S8ODciJkVcwvKBWBcZRxHUsR-IsxQGMUejoVMnBK_ANvvXtVYRMGEFIof8Le12f/s1600/IMG_9354A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdosbBUzyGvLkOdGFQ71AEW07HyQMRgvmFl4tSzHmcD49MecCLjRkYrzj0pl_fWOrzjhbSdIPNfxBX0S8ODciJkVcwvKBWBcZRxHUsR-IsxQGMUejoVMnBK_ANvvXtVYRMGEFIof8Le12f/s320/IMG_9354A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
A few days after returning home Sarah just was not recovering like she should have been and on top of being sleep deprived, recovering from major surgery and producing milk she was still anemic. Really anemic, needing a second transfusion and a second, this time 2 day stay, in the hospital. This same day we had made the difficult yet right decision to euthanize our beloved, rescued Alaskan Malamute, Traveler, after a battle with neurologic degeneration in his spine that caused him to have difficulty walking but did not affect his brain one bit. For those of you that knew him, I don't need to say much. For those that didn't I could go on and on as I have never met another dog like him. I will be brief and use what the author Jon Katz calls the "lifetime dog" that he describes as "a lifetime dog is the one that enters your life at a particular, critical point and changes or affects you in ways no other animal can or will.” He made our life better and his love of his family, or pack if you will, was paramount to him. To say that this love was human like sells it short. Words cannot describe him. Our life will never be the same without him and we are so happy that he stuck it out to meet Henrik. A friend of mine told me that animals have that amazing ability to know when it is time to move on or out of the way to make room for the new arrival so that we can focus on what needs to be focused on. I have talked to so many people who have lost pets just as they had a baby. To describe it in human terms it isn't to say that they don't want to be around anymore because of the baby or are jealous and can't possibly compete but rather that they love us so much that they move out of the way so as to allow us to focus on the baby. I wish this was not the case but it certainly is a beautiful perspective. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPV49qWqDI3HReLHTUm9W8V_MteOiF7KdG89tdP5G8iBfKeMHV1EPnNIF_V4jZYDpsjXqd5Pfc7Qz_0mJDK-A9DnI62uw9vtLi6lIZUimk7fcudpNdOiPT4meF2PXCr5-5bqTUDjKplDqj/s1600/IMG_9524A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPV49qWqDI3HReLHTUm9W8V_MteOiF7KdG89tdP5G8iBfKeMHV1EPnNIF_V4jZYDpsjXqd5Pfc7Qz_0mJDK-A9DnI62uw9vtLi6lIZUimk7fcudpNdOiPT4meF2PXCr5-5bqTUDjKplDqj/s320/IMG_9524A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-leevQ1p7I76o2Hvqe_D8rjypfggVgJtKVrGLHWhovRcwuog7lAA7SBvSmfPP8vNkl9XfAwJAOxmFMEbQT-ya_hpstNkq-jL_7n1YSVmwGqKUJR8Pl3IF3AdMgxkKyjZkd0O2U7McsdS/s1600/IMG_8967A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-leevQ1p7I76o2Hvqe_D8rjypfggVgJtKVrGLHWhovRcwuog7lAA7SBvSmfPP8vNkl9XfAwJAOxmFMEbQT-ya_hpstNkq-jL_7n1YSVmwGqKUJR8Pl3IF3AdMgxkKyjZkd0O2U7McsdS/s320/IMG_8967A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The timing of losing Traveler could not have been worse because we were torn between sheer joy in Henrik, and sheer, and ripping loss in Traveler. It was odd to be so distracted from losing him that it made it easier. I still haven't fully realized that he is never coming back. Maybe I never will and perhaps there is something to be said for that. He doesn't feel gone, but rather in the other room, outside or at my parents house visiting with them and gram. If every day feels like this her will never be fully gone. It does wash over us periodically and to say that we miss him does not do the feeling justice.<br />
<br />
Welcome home Henrik Finn!<br />
Goodbye Traveler. Thank you for making our life better while you shared it with us.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gtsG9QWYWaR8ygSyJy_rAZvCL6Bc8m8-gXSEvKawnWkKrv2DB_1jyv60kH8xrJBUGLB_oatpnuGx4vTDd2zSLcZweEdCiGKDXArPtTnywFV-mC3z9N4puiTW9nF75n8vj0HvqvYb_Ixd/s1600/IMG_9504A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gtsG9QWYWaR8ygSyJy_rAZvCL6Bc8m8-gXSEvKawnWkKrv2DB_1jyv60kH8xrJBUGLB_oatpnuGx4vTDd2zSLcZweEdCiGKDXArPtTnywFV-mC3z9N4puiTW9nF75n8vj0HvqvYb_Ixd/s320/IMG_9504A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
How things balance out don't they. Plus one. Minus one.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtsOy71uhD3kyvBzb1Kzk5hIivWfyw2fSzRVGcLxvIVLtimuSdtsiVm9kA8yuS_to9HCYvO9pURzm22U3_M8a2gr3wACq-qwbhx-OuWUqlxgpp_Y8NJ6qUrnBIxwno6Kwq2ph5qmFXI8L/s1600/IMG_9726A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtsOy71uhD3kyvBzb1Kzk5hIivWfyw2fSzRVGcLxvIVLtimuSdtsiVm9kA8yuS_to9HCYvO9pURzm22U3_M8a2gr3wACq-qwbhx-OuWUqlxgpp_Y8NJ6qUrnBIxwno6Kwq2ph5qmFXI8L/s320/IMG_9726A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Traveler's final resting place in a park like setting in our front yard, amongst a grove of maple trees. Every morning and night I say good morning and goodnight to him.<br />
<br />
ps-this arrival has TWO legs...and the chickens don't count! Below, Henrik in a carrier meets our pig, Morgan Sophia Beasley for the first time!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkRg28UNwOkx4DhxZ_LIhhzjUTWnQEDdZp3VzCoXGXNPd_quCcD_GOWNRGDOpsT90XbaSkYJx_fwnGwDkVENFOnjxIhvn9hkKve2_z5HSSbOPEgp5j-lEpnJIC17IHd946rvc8jyw1TpY/s1600/IMG_9731A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkRg28UNwOkx4DhxZ_LIhhzjUTWnQEDdZp3VzCoXGXNPd_quCcD_GOWNRGDOpsT90XbaSkYJx_fwnGwDkVENFOnjxIhvn9hkKve2_z5HSSbOPEgp5j-lEpnJIC17IHd946rvc8jyw1TpY/s320/IMG_9731A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-85307008762835311402011-12-04T17:42:00.000-08:002012-02-24T23:07:00.970-08:00You Put the Turtles Where?!?!For the winter we are hibernating our rescued box turtles. How does one do this one might ask? Well, in the fridge (in the garage) of course. Yep, it's true! Turtles, in the wild, do this naturally and it is actually quite good for them, helping them to live longer. Read about their arrival at the farm here: <a href="http://czarofthewoodsfarm.blogspot.com/2011/07/turtles-arrive-at-czar-of-woods-farm-or.html">http://czarofthewoodsfarm.blogspot.com/2011/07/turtles-arrive-at-czar-of-woods-farm-or.html</a><br />
<br />
Shortly before Henrik was born I stopped feeding the turtles any fruits or veggies. While they had access to wild food in the form of bugs and plants by withholding anything else, coupled with a few warm water soaks prior to hibernation, would allow their gut to remain relatively empty for their long winter's nap. Had I not done this any food that they had left in their gut could rot, making them sick. I then got 3 clear rubbermaid containers, drilled holes in the top and filled them with moist but not wet peat moss and some straw. I placed the turtles in them, one in each, then simply placed them in the fridge. Have to make sure that the fridge temp remains between 35-45 degrees F and does not freeze. This is the necessary temp to hibernate them at. I must admit that it goes against one's nature to place a living animal in a fridge and it does take some getting used to. You must then wake them up every 4-6 weeks by putting them in a room temp setting. Simply check them out for health and start the process over minus the soaks. Basically just put them back in the fridge. The fridge must be opened periodically to get oxygen available to them otherwise you have to run an aquarium air pump and tube into the fridge to supply air. Cold blooded animals are quite amazing creatures.<br />
<br />
Here is a photo of the containers in the fridge. Once the temp hits freezing I will move the containers to the barn where the heat that the horses produce keep the barn at about 40 degrees F all winter long, even at its coldest point. The reason I can't keep them in the garage fridge all winter is that the ambient temp in th garage will affect the fridge temp dropping it too low.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0-X8byE8dcubAsaAFKA0ysajDjuAu-rzrGsEXHCysj0Gavb-0jeithoH74iH8qaArbUIHR9vEx3RamYTHHO3LP7B68v_EhASgb_QWo185zFSLnmA9SwQnX9Rka5YilDiHgN8OPs5E84w/s1600/IMG_9539A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0-X8byE8dcubAsaAFKA0ysajDjuAu-rzrGsEXHCysj0Gavb-0jeithoH74iH8qaArbUIHR9vEx3RamYTHHO3LP7B68v_EhASgb_QWo185zFSLnmA9SwQnX9Rka5YilDiHgN8OPs5E84w/s320/IMG_9539A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
And you can barely see the turtle mixed amongst the substrate...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjKqTU6ZbXVAMz73O6_Yg7Ef2EcNXdGYFbjORMFpzDme1-xw0DcOvR-4D_seYVow_aQcxVe48onErOK2FzKeVvCj0b_6cQaj8ROiY6VVoC-13sxVhwGEGbUIxPBNkfGNdbTAbg1q3_Po7/s1600/IMG_9541A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjKqTU6ZbXVAMz73O6_Yg7Ef2EcNXdGYFbjORMFpzDme1-xw0DcOvR-4D_seYVow_aQcxVe48onErOK2FzKeVvCj0b_6cQaj8ROiY6VVoC-13sxVhwGEGbUIxPBNkfGNdbTAbg1q3_Po7/s320/IMG_9541A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-27306582391745878242011-12-03T16:18:00.000-08:002012-02-24T23:07:35.886-08:00Project Update: Back Pasture Fence and Drainage Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2M1Ph8k7hoMn7wdnmaKg5ATXYbfU55BWXLsX1IVzOLnKl8IL-xeWTCAmmwxrdwTu0rtOn_yYdb8wDWEKmOp6rGIkgkPeH9UULI6xnRqTZH0-kjt68XF_GZJEfqFUoXPyYWbzXxLW7rCOX/s1600/IMG_9232A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2M1Ph8k7hoMn7wdnmaKg5ATXYbfU55BWXLsX1IVzOLnKl8IL-xeWTCAmmwxrdwTu0rtOn_yYdb8wDWEKmOp6rGIkgkPeH9UULI6xnRqTZH0-kjt68XF_GZJEfqFUoXPyYWbzXxLW7rCOX/s320/IMG_9232A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My Dad and I have been in the process of laying out and installing a new pasture fence in the back pasture. I have had this pasture "closed" to horses for almost 2 years now in order to give it a chance to re-grow and re-establish itself after re-seeding; having been over-grazed previously and decimated. It is doing beautifully well and the fence is coming along nicely. <br />
We have had over one hundred holes to dig and my bit of advice is DO NOT EVER use a 2 man post hole digger to do so. They are awful and I'm pretty sure they made the job more difficult. Digging with a shovel and manual post hole digger has been easier. Unfortunately it rained way too much this October to be able to use a tractor back there. It simply would have done too much damage.<br />
We have a natural gas distribution line that runs diagonally across our property and the fence crosses it twice. The day that we dug the posts around them we had to have National Fuel on site in order to know where the line is and standing by in case we hit it. This is the day that we rented the 2 man digger and it was a waste of time for sure.<br />
At the end of summer I installed a culvert pipe to help drainage in a low spot that will get a lot of traffic and also ordered 15 tons of bank run gravel to cover it, in effect making a small bridge ove it to get to the pasture. It turned out amazingly well and with the serious amount of rain we had in October it tested quite well and actually works. And next time if someone wants to buy we a tractor with a front end loader we won't have to use a wheelbarrow and shovel next time to move 30, 000 pounds of stone. ;)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NXNqEe_jPua6RlRkTDA83li23GCVYDUi7Fa3F2q0ADAJV3XLzM5UiHWYoYL7xuw6OIZVkaO_jNaDXum6FCAqG284Eg-QB4B9D3CZ_enhNkzNst90Rlg8H4QGfIf0HiV21Ja1L1T_gbKx/s1600/IMG_9511A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NXNqEe_jPua6RlRkTDA83li23GCVYDUi7Fa3F2q0ADAJV3XLzM5UiHWYoYL7xuw6OIZVkaO_jNaDXum6FCAqG284Eg-QB4B9D3CZ_enhNkzNst90Rlg8H4QGfIf0HiV21Ja1L1T_gbKx/s320/IMG_9511A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpiOYAutkBnlv2k_cuOly2nt3xFcxbX0B6nk0KynvRUd23fPTW2ubVl7yetaoDeSM-jsqe-s3BPfokBjUyQHAj8h5o-hWsMRdpAnimrnP1TbXSHStt8q010zXH5ZTUkFBgDJzhCe-S0_K/s1600/IMG_9510A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpiOYAutkBnlv2k_cuOly2nt3xFcxbX0B6nk0KynvRUd23fPTW2ubVl7yetaoDeSM-jsqe-s3BPfokBjUyQHAj8h5o-hWsMRdpAnimrnP1TbXSHStt8q010zXH5ZTUkFBgDJzhCe-S0_K/s320/IMG_9510A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyk-HVuDof-FuZXQl4sr4EKIXxmqbcUvmJ0hZF9iJ23Z1lUsiS03qNROkCyJ-Vsyy0zM4RgfwWaf5ID5aganVmvjUS-I6fpKqz5U-3xjXaVPm3w3TySN27-WC7tfEwlmrb5yrhVIYEI0So/s1600/IMG_9513A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyk-HVuDof-FuZXQl4sr4EKIXxmqbcUvmJ0hZF9iJ23Z1lUsiS03qNROkCyJ-Vsyy0zM4RgfwWaf5ID5aganVmvjUS-I6fpKqz5U-3xjXaVPm3w3TySN27-WC7tfEwlmrb5yrhVIYEI0So/s320/IMG_9513A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUnARW4pTYe6a3ED0_0NtPmvbgOlm3jm4J7Et-dlazNAekEgfqT-NX4bfkuqFyvjjnUD37PHGaWT0oUCY9aDiPAO_oqeSc6wXgd_lI0vNPHbUHS_Zf9J2uNyVAQbu7xPk3QHNqDAr3jOhyphenhyphen/s1600/IMG_9514A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUnARW4pTYe6a3ED0_0NtPmvbgOlm3jm4J7Et-dlazNAekEgfqT-NX4bfkuqFyvjjnUD37PHGaWT0oUCY9aDiPAO_oqeSc6wXgd_lI0vNPHbUHS_Zf9J2uNyVAQbu7xPk3QHNqDAr3jOhyphenhyphen/s320/IMG_9514A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Thanks to my Dad for all his help on this project.<br />
Tractor? Anyone? Anyone? 55 holes left out of well over 100!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-12738106212464786772011-12-02T19:41:00.000-08:002011-12-05T20:03:15.553-08:00Summer Blends Into Fall or BEES!I fell in love with tens of thousands of insects this evening. It wasn't just the bees though, it was the melding of perfect weather with my fascination with the honeybees that I keep. It created a moment in which time stood still and I was the same as a beekeeper was thousands of years ago, the time between those two moments did not exist and it might as well have been one in the same. I sat mesmerized for an hour watching and learning.<br />
Today was one of those days, those perfect late summer days that blend into fall. It was full of warm sunshine yet there was that chill in the air, and the changing light, that made one feel cozy and long for wearing a sweater. It was a perfect day for football, GO BILLS!, and apple picking I suppose. And watching bees. This is really a perfect time of year. I suppose that if I had to choose one weather all the time, it would be this. Not too cold, not too warm. Autumn's here summer, say your goodbyes. It's okay if you want hang on for a bit. We're not quite ready to let go but that sweater that is fall, sure is cozy.<br />
As summer nears its end our honeybees have never been busier. You see this is the first time, that this young hive (started it in April of this year) has been drunk on Goldenrod. This time of year, for honeybees in the Northeast, is the equivalent of not just one buffet but a buffet consisting of all your favorite restaurants all in one place (bees having a 3 mile radius territory) serving exactly what you most crave, all the time, for weeks on end. It's the equivalent of a billionaire having so much money that they don't know wuite what to do with all of it. In a honeybee hive's territory there is so much goldenrod that they could never use it all. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYmDZJCJXj6JdeLg3BNysKWoiPX3nsVK3cUZsHilnhiW1oBKvtuZzkokNhXk7OuyiLtqR6uTbCszjKvc41OaeNdkWAOv2jSDZuS2shJpxFm4yOv0XeVEMxY_fVQF9EzsNnMTFjOCLGmHu/s1600/IMG_9157A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYmDZJCJXj6JdeLg3BNysKWoiPX3nsVK3cUZsHilnhiW1oBKvtuZzkokNhXk7OuyiLtqR6uTbCszjKvc41OaeNdkWAOv2jSDZuS2shJpxFm4yOv0XeVEMxY_fVQF9EzsNnMTFjOCLGmHu/s320/IMG_9157A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Goldenrod is the first flower (see photo above), of such hefty quantity, that is producing nectar since July. There has been no honey being produced in this area until now. Clover honey I believe is more of a spring/early summer honey. Bees need nectar in order to produce honey, in the process of getting the nectar they also collect pollin to help cross pollinate flowers and also to bring back to the hive. I have said it before and I'll say it again, without bees humans would not exist. They are that important. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2X83kxuWenmEFwWuxkhMk13yLBQWOGk-3PMBsKiobGeA4IL26E3QBVgTf4XLKS6gdyw8WPm-1gvfYww1W9ZftqNcj9yejTcym66keFwraW0YChYskK-I1hvAKNtg3ATwUxgEwOFS69UWV/s1600/IMG_9202A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2X83kxuWenmEFwWuxkhMk13yLBQWOGk-3PMBsKiobGeA4IL26E3QBVgTf4XLKS6gdyw8WPm-1gvfYww1W9ZftqNcj9yejTcym66keFwraW0YChYskK-I1hvAKNtg3ATwUxgEwOFS69UWV/s400/IMG_9202A.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxFWSELx92NAFEZ7ZSPO56osQTihwSazbwZg1LWpai_HyUZ-g1tBV8csD61q0Rio5RVhFnl7eTELnunfW-Yo2ix1zThmp7C4BMC9dnwom8U9wZnp6pkSWnE4XdFtZtnadIPSeJk3DBeDg/s1600/IMG_9207A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxFWSELx92NAFEZ7ZSPO56osQTihwSazbwZg1LWpai_HyUZ-g1tBV8csD61q0Rio5RVhFnl7eTELnunfW-Yo2ix1zThmp7C4BMC9dnwom8U9wZnp6pkSWnE4XdFtZtnadIPSeJk3DBeDg/s400/IMG_9207A.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The bees ingest the nectar and take it back to the hive where they chew on it for a bit and then 'spit' it out into the comb. The nectar is 75-80% water and 20-25% sugar. The bees then fan the nectar with their wings within the hive to dry it out until the percentages swap so that the sugar content is then 75-80% of the product and only 20-25% water....this my friend's is honey. As one approaches the hive it reeks of the sweet smell of nectar turning into honey. It is intoxicating.<br />
I took advantage of the sublime weather today and sat next to the hive for a good hour, just watching. I opened it briefly to inspect the production and status of the hive. They have only just begun to use the top "super" where honey is produced but they are working hard. While I didn't open the lower "brood" boxes where new bees are made I am quite certain that they are making honey in there as well which will feed them for the winter. This is for sure where that rich smell is coming from. All looked good so I decided to watch the activity in and out of the hive and directly on what I like to call the "front porch."<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
It was mindblowing and mesmerizing to say the least. I can only describe the amount of bee air traffic in and out of the hive as all airport plane traffic at all airports at given time, combined into one. I love changing my focus from looking at the hive entrance up close to the air surrounding the front of the hive. It is then that you really get to appreciate the amount of traffic. It is never ending as bees come and go arriving with their payload. It appears to be non stop. Busy is an understatement. Hardworking doesn't quite cut it. Each bee knows exactly what needs to be done with each having a unique job that is a small part of the whole. I couldn't stop watching it. I was in a way falling in love with this amazing and tiny creatures. What sealed the deal is when I saw one bee in particular pick up a dead bumblebee that was probably ten times its size and carried it off the front porch and up a blade of grass to get this intruder out. WOW! I had to pry myself away because there was other stuff to do.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATxw_qTegT9UtTcIjqkZjUVVXb7dXp5cNidVL9JWfBLj2e4VJDnAtSQkxUiHv670aZ9e5bVGSPGBmxJJcYNw_7MviNJHZUi_8iMuL7nG1sebeyegOarYM7vs76dR4z91A6UE_Xx5bzq7L/s1600/IMG_9213A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATxw_qTegT9UtTcIjqkZjUVVXb7dXp5cNidVL9JWfBLj2e4VJDnAtSQkxUiHv670aZ9e5bVGSPGBmxJJcYNw_7MviNJHZUi_8iMuL7nG1sebeyegOarYM7vs76dR4z91A6UE_Xx5bzq7L/s320/IMG_9213A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfbL7UDzxblCPXaphgwxXlHnerilVIORrkAGAYOsydrQAcOi2E8FEpHCPd9ESWngWLG-8iUKPvHk64nB_MN96GbLjLyoyJFTaOrlWb4Kmbx6DHNpxGGG_lOTKsVkztLqjKC0K-r0lWCCh/s1600/IMG_8971A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfbL7UDzxblCPXaphgwxXlHnerilVIORrkAGAYOsydrQAcOi2E8FEpHCPd9ESWngWLG-8iUKPvHk64nB_MN96GbLjLyoyJFTaOrlWb4Kmbx6DHNpxGGG_lOTKsVkztLqjKC0K-r0lWCCh/s1600/IMG_8971A.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickkTvtms_lJ5nGy1eTWAPDij3MnlDE-gx_lmyUYVTcfC_MfgZdrcVWl1cjmRd3_HHreTzVGawBoeZZf-zKek9UofrY7EM8S2xa4n8zf9wUvDNhBnbKTjN7FsbzTnj7vjgxs4kaIKKNDmS/s1600/IMG_8972A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickkTvtms_lJ5nGy1eTWAPDij3MnlDE-gx_lmyUYVTcfC_MfgZdrcVWl1cjmRd3_HHreTzVGawBoeZZf-zKek9UofrY7EM8S2xa4n8zf9wUvDNhBnbKTjN7FsbzTnj7vjgxs4kaIKKNDmS/s320/IMG_8972A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGRNoDCHeyut0Ms3dGQzsc9odth4-2rWCYUNuFhKY08eC3zZthX3GBlmwkiN89crp2R9_3jqMEhLXMM1qydTDbP0K23qe-O3k28Z9lBWI09SCg97gsBrJE-bGPmAPdU-vT1WnloGIIlJn/s1600/IMG_8970A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGRNoDCHeyut0Ms3dGQzsc9odth4-2rWCYUNuFhKY08eC3zZthX3GBlmwkiN89crp2R9_3jqMEhLXMM1qydTDbP0K23qe-O3k28Z9lBWI09SCg97gsBrJE-bGPmAPdU-vT1WnloGIIlJn/s320/IMG_8970A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVV8iSfV6prUsGcxAWfoO9n_V11unKywZJBvf_qWtJ7bWNIvjZTUdFsfI8Z1DAeBKT8vWVKz7LSz2buE_3TMzR7pITnDg1LLubEChDDx5Bmo3to0hzmKfydpgAO5_9KLanP3oUGm0DbNb/s1600/IMG_8974A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVV8iSfV6prUsGcxAWfoO9n_V11unKywZJBvf_qWtJ7bWNIvjZTUdFsfI8Z1DAeBKT8vWVKz7LSz2buE_3TMzR7pITnDg1LLubEChDDx5Bmo3to0hzmKfydpgAO5_9KLanP3oUGm0DbNb/s320/IMG_8974A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iHF8kiK3CexmsW88bP742Z6YlM6Xhz4s03LR_excszY1u8yjRSpYFPDPReDGo-lSxS6s8agNbFsP9ie93s01ngaR47SRL5AM3kSG3zKT3o0sd_bVyJ5m_qXHw3Pg9ew5ui8CQ_SaL4T9/s1600/IMG_8978A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iHF8kiK3CexmsW88bP742Z6YlM6Xhz4s03LR_excszY1u8yjRSpYFPDPReDGo-lSxS6s8agNbFsP9ie93s01ngaR47SRL5AM3kSG3zKT3o0sd_bVyJ5m_qXHw3Pg9ew5ui8CQ_SaL4T9/s320/IMG_8978A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kEE_FNltF1pPTt28z4MKBijyu_fauhpTrAn1FPzlQfC_EggFcPSB-Au1NQ9Elb8h19a_AbD5k_1LwTb6l90JIeS8vFZAjANUUCzpvgI7Drv97nddBGBojkqCwRhOKZ8w1S5PyBbsSd1h/s1600/IMG_8983A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kEE_FNltF1pPTt28z4MKBijyu_fauhpTrAn1FPzlQfC_EggFcPSB-Au1NQ9Elb8h19a_AbD5k_1LwTb6l90JIeS8vFZAjANUUCzpvgI7Drv97nddBGBojkqCwRhOKZ8w1S5PyBbsSd1h/s320/IMG_8983A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcYGYQtlGWVnRB-PeriJSB3ZUSGznwToO4AjekPCubOBr6bH5xzlxqpWLRvf2gtho7keVQGHxMAUu4-_tTbdnFUyP3vy2yGOjUC2ewDGyG3uRPQb2lUYpOpa6wah0yutsmqoK3cN91Slz/s1600/IMG_9158A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcYGYQtlGWVnRB-PeriJSB3ZUSGznwToO4AjekPCubOBr6bH5xzlxqpWLRvf2gtho7keVQGHxMAUu4-_tTbdnFUyP3vy2yGOjUC2ewDGyG3uRPQb2lUYpOpa6wah0yutsmqoK3cN91Slz/s320/IMG_9158A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVVdp3HI8cfmLayPzdVheC966NOPJrrJKImsrCdFvOZPYV-qNeJRGyhRt3GhsQZnaZbFQ4mYtxn0QCk2HMAhsrXISfFJAX0e01B9iKChQZrFbqAOlMBJRNHf26U07n0Q8otRhkmGv2Leo/s1600/IMG_9164A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVVdp3HI8cfmLayPzdVheC966NOPJrrJKImsrCdFvOZPYV-qNeJRGyhRt3GhsQZnaZbFQ4mYtxn0QCk2HMAhsrXISfFJAX0e01B9iKChQZrFbqAOlMBJRNHf26U07n0Q8otRhkmGv2Leo/s320/IMG_9164A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8wZ006bpuXwNCalmJwW8uE6bhyphenhyphentGf5K28YD6II-yS0PYK5Z0ndqgTIlm_Z7Mx7-AbNxpoyoHe7iJFhVdAtVDgj9MTpoZ59m4DPje8kgCLwiBHLUWDahcS5hpi7VhoFoXLQotqx4J22D0/s1600/IMG_9171A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8wZ006bpuXwNCalmJwW8uE6bhyphenhyphentGf5K28YD6II-yS0PYK5Z0ndqgTIlm_Z7Mx7-AbNxpoyoHe7iJFhVdAtVDgj9MTpoZ59m4DPje8kgCLwiBHLUWDahcS5hpi7VhoFoXLQotqx4J22D0/s320/IMG_9171A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6x7i3kpLgNenmwdkgf-EoHqMFUg89Fg4uzZCEtrnaW3BobbFoJVP0jHS-5hCfKqDwW3oyk7N_BSpR8Ib9Hw0B9zwGOPdoiueuLXX-SmoBGPjyAqCh10x4xuT937D4V_AHOAZJcShFpDWh/s1600/IMG_9172A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6x7i3kpLgNenmwdkgf-EoHqMFUg89Fg4uzZCEtrnaW3BobbFoJVP0jHS-5hCfKqDwW3oyk7N_BSpR8Ib9Hw0B9zwGOPdoiueuLXX-SmoBGPjyAqCh10x4xuT937D4V_AHOAZJcShFpDWh/s320/IMG_9172A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vHNF8O6sqzNhtRbLCZwl-PUPT9kA90i3L72LfHPnuOQJFG5pa1MboIUWAo1Ju30foP5NTmV3iYVkqM25GQZ3adLtHQZLQgFwz_lI3VFF_QZWLU-3SJYbq8OokI8Yr5qKefnrYAZYLKg6/s1600/IMG_9186A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vHNF8O6sqzNhtRbLCZwl-PUPT9kA90i3L72LfHPnuOQJFG5pa1MboIUWAo1Ju30foP5NTmV3iYVkqM25GQZ3adLtHQZLQgFwz_lI3VFF_QZWLU-3SJYbq8OokI8Yr5qKefnrYAZYLKg6/s320/IMG_9186A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAp9g1klbxi-YdrIElAahx24rbWeYKSlVyKKhi_PqvKdXf8882vkCK7BlczUlva_DNNe4dDxjWEXUUVpEQ4yR97i90pl38zhT_IqptEtDcISQ0lAj1jxpJiPj9jKgfUIS5FSCDbex-O2S/s1600/IMG_9187A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAp9g1klbxi-YdrIElAahx24rbWeYKSlVyKKhi_PqvKdXf8882vkCK7BlczUlva_DNNe4dDxjWEXUUVpEQ4yR97i90pl38zhT_IqptEtDcISQ0lAj1jxpJiPj9jKgfUIS5FSCDbex-O2S/s320/IMG_9187A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigP7uWUXbuYOID-4FmH7nuUxnI8jYKbl21XtxRS5XozIOIS_cIOmMRQ1gt3AjdpZkZkx27GO6A95YPaA0jk3oOTMyqIe_s_ydzGzu5bCpC6mqRWyKBz1JE4FsGvUddlj_YcMcHnTMv2-hN/s1600/IMG_9192A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigP7uWUXbuYOID-4FmH7nuUxnI8jYKbl21XtxRS5XozIOIS_cIOmMRQ1gt3AjdpZkZkx27GO6A95YPaA0jk3oOTMyqIe_s_ydzGzu5bCpC6mqRWyKBz1JE4FsGvUddlj_YcMcHnTMv2-hN/s320/IMG_9192A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurUYI_OQgT6SG30C3tLvDyo9k7UCo-wycpv-M_iP7gvEsJR_AO-Ki6f1JyN83rRiHyJvLxzK0fKDmKergmquYLyg0qHt9f_ibY9hhPH88by-XcBhd00Gv-7ilGDgXI4EO5OUgcaqML2i6/s1600/IMG_9199A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurUYI_OQgT6SG30C3tLvDyo9k7UCo-wycpv-M_iP7gvEsJR_AO-Ki6f1JyN83rRiHyJvLxzK0fKDmKergmquYLyg0qHt9f_ibY9hhPH88by-XcBhd00Gv-7ilGDgXI4EO5OUgcaqML2i6/s320/IMG_9199A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2X83kxuWenmEFwWuxkhMk13yLBQWOGk-3PMBsKiobGeA4IL26E3QBVgTf4XLKS6gdyw8WPm-1gvfYww1W9ZftqNcj9yejTcym66keFwraW0YChYskK-I1hvAKNtg3ATwUxgEwOFS69UWV/s1600/IMG_9202A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2X83kxuWenmEFwWuxkhMk13yLBQWOGk-3PMBsKiobGeA4IL26E3QBVgTf4XLKS6gdyw8WPm-1gvfYww1W9ZftqNcj9yejTcym66keFwraW0YChYskK-I1hvAKNtg3ATwUxgEwOFS69UWV/s320/IMG_9202A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDZRic-OTqXuqicsiJnYYgkW3asTHyzxHKr8HVdLAExv1uHyEwCBKxuLjNI8LPwDX7dnVqXmrZ9JBZHIYHFTwr98lRgHWKDYgzeqi0bpKwapN7ayIS8x_MPb1y66mskC75wLt067GJ4r3/s1600/IMG_9206A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDZRic-OTqXuqicsiJnYYgkW3asTHyzxHKr8HVdLAExv1uHyEwCBKxuLjNI8LPwDX7dnVqXmrZ9JBZHIYHFTwr98lRgHWKDYgzeqi0bpKwapN7ayIS8x_MPb1y66mskC75wLt067GJ4r3/s320/IMG_9206A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKrnhvrVX3IIGRYWnA6knwpLx2yGqJWdKb2IbKVWZ2tcqx2GUsrcyZuYpLl_jaTZBSThRVSte9hZamiEKJ7akInvqIely_i9zyWgH3yKaEQP57wWnpZmysvNzqZEajWBn8Ks5YKm0I4YP/s1600/IMG_9218A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKrnhvrVX3IIGRYWnA6knwpLx2yGqJWdKb2IbKVWZ2tcqx2GUsrcyZuYpLl_jaTZBSThRVSte9hZamiEKJ7akInvqIely_i9zyWgH3yKaEQP57wWnpZmysvNzqZEajWBn8Ks5YKm0I4YP/s320/IMG_9218A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdgAFAQBX2xojRDrcAJNCf6JEit4uLhiH6h5Wt8diRm1wZ3WoCOdgwZAhPeQhbwA5dpLIwufmXKMcass-eLAA3btFKeFwqSY7or1NDyjm-yperMvm59W6jomqywrPm-0aUnT1adtpzC2L/s1600/IMG_9221A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdgAFAQBX2xojRDrcAJNCf6JEit4uLhiH6h5Wt8diRm1wZ3WoCOdgwZAhPeQhbwA5dpLIwufmXKMcass-eLAA3btFKeFwqSY7or1NDyjm-yperMvm59W6jomqywrPm-0aUnT1adtpzC2L/s320/IMG_9221A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDaO1CkdGKAuW_4Z-kx7RfcWjCyH4lix2_nICkeRBb7tnZQbzwoc2c5mZCSKUX8PB22gPFbrit1sSPavxQsGaQQ2lK-pOMIYm56ShNqJpFH7H92YpHRcSPej3FxBBDKXzQgwH7kO_IWwH/s1600/IMG_9224A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDaO1CkdGKAuW_4Z-kx7RfcWjCyH4lix2_nICkeRBb7tnZQbzwoc2c5mZCSKUX8PB22gPFbrit1sSPavxQsGaQQ2lK-pOMIYm56ShNqJpFH7H92YpHRcSPej3FxBBDKXzQgwH7kO_IWwH/s320/IMG_9224A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0r3vRpUHsJ8f6AOM08l7U0gDyOdvmvHIeuKHh_zHbv0YUOiUBpMpbdeR71d8LRoGo8plL5P3hYMuChLyWX3eDCzbVkwAV-hQvpBC-gs6cwrGquod1LeNcWfDvx55UmZwV2O0EN929o_x0/s1600/IMG_9278A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0r3vRpUHsJ8f6AOM08l7U0gDyOdvmvHIeuKHh_zHbv0YUOiUBpMpbdeR71d8LRoGo8plL5P3hYMuChLyWX3eDCzbVkwAV-hQvpBC-gs6cwrGquod1LeNcWfDvx55UmZwV2O0EN929o_x0/s320/IMG_9278A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPYUtjGHm5QRcPphRrozi0zU2xVecp6p1iKSdGxkqJc83Zbebxpq_Io_eNnMYm2zCvOf2ciH847hGgYxLuc3AJ-H_3gc522Dlanal-QRZpPj69nqdGgT67KhzEmtpjU_fBYvQvUNPXg-n/s1600/IMG_9281A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPYUtjGHm5QRcPphRrozi0zU2xVecp6p1iKSdGxkqJc83Zbebxpq_Io_eNnMYm2zCvOf2ciH847hGgYxLuc3AJ-H_3gc522Dlanal-QRZpPj69nqdGgT67KhzEmtpjU_fBYvQvUNPXg-n/s320/IMG_9281A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaK4Da3D_h-mC9XYqk6xTEOR4c7LZlS_1ybLQGrOL5J7orvCNb9KlrIO4ggWgyIs49Vp7QqzYf6ZJsRW9jH40ex542FjnNNgkmhYbRFg55t3gWr7_mzVy2FgzxJAllJX15Fa-yEv2ZS_my/s1600/IMG_9285A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaK4Da3D_h-mC9XYqk6xTEOR4c7LZlS_1ybLQGrOL5J7orvCNb9KlrIO4ggWgyIs49Vp7QqzYf6ZJsRW9jH40ex542FjnNNgkmhYbRFg55t3gWr7_mzVy2FgzxJAllJX15Fa-yEv2ZS_my/s320/IMG_9285A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdQG9FENlzV77CgxhMt4znkmOW1dgl5hVOj0tbeLpUuQgVZp6ZpPE8jKNub0mTMiqOzFjgPC3YF1V1evxgUjhn1sMwEKLyRDeAyEpM68ChNFPH7uGnSS46sIUsnAck54eCuztt6ZHYC47/s1600/IMG_9288A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdQG9FENlzV77CgxhMt4znkmOW1dgl5hVOj0tbeLpUuQgVZp6ZpPE8jKNub0mTMiqOzFjgPC3YF1V1evxgUjhn1sMwEKLyRDeAyEpM68ChNFPH7uGnSS46sIUsnAck54eCuztt6ZHYC47/s320/IMG_9288A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AKY1hcVFCGi9Glngxkong_izvywByvsrs3sxHzoiSkl_WJw_w9mn4_n5CuGPuVtNAKQA8cFTn5gdF59GLaQS6bnbHv0umXfNuZnl0UIQtAi3eyZt9qV0r7u2lsDXVbXRKk4sbUl7bthi/s1600/IMG_9289A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AKY1hcVFCGi9Glngxkong_izvywByvsrs3sxHzoiSkl_WJw_w9mn4_n5CuGPuVtNAKQA8cFTn5gdF59GLaQS6bnbHv0umXfNuZnl0UIQtAi3eyZt9qV0r7u2lsDXVbXRKk4sbUl7bthi/s320/IMG_9289A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknWd5e-09wptwIS8EoS59NtAXsUvi9WdLrwbmL3it-vrd4JjPZmfh3PuLwySy36ahavMzcp4ifzHuPIoLzkN1exnwY7jKO_mh_Z24LaZKWeoTq_fjoHppEsdYVokTolKjI8rSuQFj042U/s1600/IMG_9293A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknWd5e-09wptwIS8EoS59NtAXsUvi9WdLrwbmL3it-vrd4JjPZmfh3PuLwySy36ahavMzcp4ifzHuPIoLzkN1exnwY7jKO_mh_Z24LaZKWeoTq_fjoHppEsdYVokTolKjI8rSuQFj042U/s320/IMG_9293A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUC5Ripttq9TH3e7OPn_Lgg4oQ4a4Wt1etryL9ZCwzGl1JyUgYuGjY_J70Rn-JkRvr0s8XgD6ihUuwnocY2493VERpkH6K8zG5G508-dQpp5PyvhxqOJTDxU4s7WVwzUU3Tml5SwgjT3Wu/s1600/IMG_9297A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUC5Ripttq9TH3e7OPn_Lgg4oQ4a4Wt1etryL9ZCwzGl1JyUgYuGjY_J70Rn-JkRvr0s8XgD6ihUuwnocY2493VERpkH6K8zG5G508-dQpp5PyvhxqOJTDxU4s7WVwzUU3Tml5SwgjT3Wu/s320/IMG_9297A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
PS: As I write this I have stopped quite a few times to put my hand on Sarah's ever growing belly where she too, much like the hard working bees, has been hard at work tenderly growing our son. We have 4 weeks left until his arrival and boy was he active tonight. It may have had something to do with the vanilla ice cream, strawberries and yes, ironically or coincidentally, honey on top. Not <em>our</em> honey yet, but he was diggin' it!eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-89660671680033917222011-12-02T15:33:00.000-08:002011-12-05T19:47:09.037-08:00End of Summer ImagesHere are a collection of images that speak for themselves really. Simply look at the light. It makes you feel warm while at the same time realizing that that fall chill in the air is just around the corner. See my previous post for more thoughts on the end of summer, specifically the bees.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHCdIse0jT9INt2J5yiLyvS0CIpqKv85t-rJx4Sv0VdE1PJ6A6FOjSkEHQ3besgm5HiVzXAb2_QXAeOS-3Oogc51dcg1qlGhktg7OA2d1Hz76weKiWHovhGPfXU8wFYyONQZCzw0eLoRo/s1600/IMG_8956A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHCdIse0jT9INt2J5yiLyvS0CIpqKv85t-rJx4Sv0VdE1PJ6A6FOjSkEHQ3besgm5HiVzXAb2_QXAeOS-3Oogc51dcg1qlGhktg7OA2d1Hz76weKiWHovhGPfXU8wFYyONQZCzw0eLoRo/s320/IMG_8956A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWyfdT1njKlLn66c065i15hst6BFnHKq_hprb0BPGR5Gf2-AV17S8ihbrKmGzcEzjYGCDgK44iEfuriBSfVJdVrDSKPgG0QW6uMdByk-8Fj7GH0m-jaSfpcqU6249XUD2l_PlXM0H6T_n/s1600/IMG_8957A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWyfdT1njKlLn66c065i15hst6BFnHKq_hprb0BPGR5Gf2-AV17S8ihbrKmGzcEzjYGCDgK44iEfuriBSfVJdVrDSKPgG0QW6uMdByk-8Fj7GH0m-jaSfpcqU6249XUD2l_PlXM0H6T_n/s320/IMG_8957A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSs_NkY6cVzyQe6botzU_3pyiJSCAEU5_sH2bRam5x8AL0MtYlOwzalnSSovtdeN5KWdVIKnu61zfjP1hfAjSv0yVRu6G7N-oO2H7Y_JGZpqe9wVnaEfRRtvHH5-6GT86qWRcxfOyYBA5r/s1600/IMG_8958A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSs_NkY6cVzyQe6botzU_3pyiJSCAEU5_sH2bRam5x8AL0MtYlOwzalnSSovtdeN5KWdVIKnu61zfjP1hfAjSv0yVRu6G7N-oO2H7Y_JGZpqe9wVnaEfRRtvHH5-6GT86qWRcxfOyYBA5r/s320/IMG_8958A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bad Blake, our barn cat and one of the nicest animals you'll ever meet.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6BtdxEmi2P_IDk9C2fTAhilTF90E-x15DveXGdoI9pfhPK3SM9-_fr3mISPP0LW5zOGUh3TyxxoS1exTRI2Iis0Iqh9YTbr3t_9tskh2Y9IjdnvgQI3FU6j4uS2yRlBPB6HDZsxMpD5K/s1600/IMG_8996A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6BtdxEmi2P_IDk9C2fTAhilTF90E-x15DveXGdoI9pfhPK3SM9-_fr3mISPP0LW5zOGUh3TyxxoS1exTRI2Iis0Iqh9YTbr3t_9tskh2Y9IjdnvgQI3FU6j4uS2yRlBPB6HDZsxMpD5K/s320/IMG_8996A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTb8pYld47_1q_SN3A8KVkC_w9QBJDAYPA9V-i7rSB5phsxweRlBa__S81CUa8xGNgHjl3RFYARZO1i1ubbpiR70IMlh74YGiHSoAmab-HNgv2x6ItiZzGJ3JMnSHpG7CFyYbx5rNeneN/s1600/IMG_9017A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTb8pYld47_1q_SN3A8KVkC_w9QBJDAYPA9V-i7rSB5phsxweRlBa__S81CUa8xGNgHjl3RFYARZO1i1ubbpiR70IMlh74YGiHSoAmab-HNgv2x6ItiZzGJ3JMnSHpG7CFyYbx5rNeneN/s320/IMG_9017A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TCMNorpyqbv4nS_1fHxj1J80A5TFQmnoeTLj8RqY043kCNd4FaD7E12dxfN8OaPIBmTkNllsJb7d-4MSDcicpvGojmUtFypx3wdzZT2Kex4DGhmT4Y92Tm_zgzmzWGUyBLErNXt_Epjs/s1600/IMG_9261A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TCMNorpyqbv4nS_1fHxj1J80A5TFQmnoeTLj8RqY043kCNd4FaD7E12dxfN8OaPIBmTkNllsJb7d-4MSDcicpvGojmUtFypx3wdzZT2Kex4DGhmT4Y92Tm_zgzmzWGUyBLErNXt_Epjs/s320/IMG_9261A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtC_MDCw4wC3hDUoqR14G5XxNlx_oXnUEUay-i4ZeTOLR3vSpY5QP4lIM-YjDTyQzA7dV1SPtNm2FLPahciBeE5U7GXdbE8T2EiyJWEZfenRyxoCz7JXRMEwly7OiQgklibH0-JSBzmlD/s1600/IMG_9262A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtC_MDCw4wC3hDUoqR14G5XxNlx_oXnUEUay-i4ZeTOLR3vSpY5QP4lIM-YjDTyQzA7dV1SPtNm2FLPahciBeE5U7GXdbE8T2EiyJWEZfenRyxoCz7JXRMEwly7OiQgklibH0-JSBzmlD/s320/IMG_9262A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This occurred at the end of August when straight line winds took down 2 huge willow trees on my neighbor's property. Weird because the rest of the street was untouched. My dad is dwarfed next to the roots! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIKNu4dEOAGLhWZ-trgCUYOhXpD5_zvYFzky-Eg4d5LlhONQXZg3PmS8hFOBTugaDu0RAJkzZ54L-TX1dpdVR_1aclvTNDL3qVk-oXwSeVjFRghPHw_reqTmXWuYtjYmlh96m4idSlX_j/s1600/IMG_8951A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIKNu4dEOAGLhWZ-trgCUYOhXpD5_zvYFzky-Eg4d5LlhONQXZg3PmS8hFOBTugaDu0RAJkzZ54L-TX1dpdVR_1aclvTNDL3qVk-oXwSeVjFRghPHw_reqTmXWuYtjYmlh96m4idSlX_j/s320/IMG_8951A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4_ZkhnpsGHl2O8mUu2NaOIaA5yJvELIB80AOaBArtz5PXIJJeBbQ8QJRkv62tWkxJOwNz9B70GMR6qti3ju2CGWGMNvcDR51CF4hmpjgjfecVFic2afJPeMnt1gtqDI0FvcQRroX-v7V/s1600/IMG_8952A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4_ZkhnpsGHl2O8mUu2NaOIaA5yJvELIB80AOaBArtz5PXIJJeBbQ8QJRkv62tWkxJOwNz9B70GMR6qti3ju2CGWGMNvcDR51CF4hmpjgjfecVFic2afJPeMnt1gtqDI0FvcQRroX-v7V/s320/IMG_8952A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
Knowing that she won't get out much once winter sets in Morgan makes the most of her time eating up the grass...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6CO16O6JdqTsWN2lsgbWlXJ1w5UwSF2XmmVHuN1IAUYHhZpVhVXPcaCeuwPL4RD4ktelA9tFvXvTKQA-Cfw2o6usfDlsBIfcw0qBfBP-yrzL5AbOsY3sbweUJVj0IGqsGes6RKpm-7DK/s1600/IMG_9328A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6CO16O6JdqTsWN2lsgbWlXJ1w5UwSF2XmmVHuN1IAUYHhZpVhVXPcaCeuwPL4RD4ktelA9tFvXvTKQA-Cfw2o6usfDlsBIfcw0qBfBP-yrzL5AbOsY3sbweUJVj0IGqsGes6RKpm-7DK/s320/IMG_9328A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ97RVB7z4Ve58nMcW3nh9KgxPiuQpSarV4zgnU9xB3aFcLWbzSxobh4m23m4OSL7TFi_Z9ewkq5t6Qd5lT8Gy3Up0e_Rs92dMTn0AW0KuPsLO4DeIYbACtPF-uud-O2qIAPmKB8qDqNQZ/s1600/IMG_8987A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ97RVB7z4Ve58nMcW3nh9KgxPiuQpSarV4zgnU9xB3aFcLWbzSxobh4m23m4OSL7TFi_Z9ewkq5t6Qd5lT8Gy3Up0e_Rs92dMTn0AW0KuPsLO4DeIYbACtPF-uud-O2qIAPmKB8qDqNQZ/s320/IMG_8987A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
...getting belly rubs...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24GTyi5JmUe6yzxVAJgiZ8JH_7GSJLJHaNSK4ypGYv9PndSzwRxwxrdDEWYWoNAYcOiXOgzkBh_tfNQc6w1Rt_lCHc1KmUIsLPLect-inYSluHCHVcFhHjB8NsCfe2KK_r9Rsd6MlzAoj/s1600/IMG_9001A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24GTyi5JmUe6yzxVAJgiZ8JH_7GSJLJHaNSK4ypGYv9PndSzwRxwxrdDEWYWoNAYcOiXOgzkBh_tfNQc6w1Rt_lCHc1KmUIsLPLect-inYSluHCHVcFhHjB8NsCfe2KK_r9Rsd6MlzAoj/s320/IMG_9001A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
...and soaking up the last bit of warm sun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhge8NXxxsf883XpezSnjfZ2jl_OOwv_R6qklFRarggVkNlwzzRQWbod9xy1YGWVmHVXZvJlBj5YwX0Z81HbOo-cuRu6YgVWcZ6_UQWBvHdIAPmwsLpWY1x_YnTeLJQ2Cuq5ya9gCvag1M7/s1600/IMG_9013A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhge8NXxxsf883XpezSnjfZ2jl_OOwv_R6qklFRarggVkNlwzzRQWbod9xy1YGWVmHVXZvJlBj5YwX0Z81HbOo-cuRu6YgVWcZ6_UQWBvHdIAPmwsLpWY1x_YnTeLJQ2Cuq5ya9gCvag1M7/s320/IMG_9013A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Divo...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpKpjvqlPOq5fDVy5d-Prnr350znq7jIgwN_InqjlPoz8WAZvTLMB2VKotMOTmnfxKVByJzlvizIfUYMczrErXDO2N6iaPyl_WarBAMIIYHsTdX_enHjlLinYZb9DJIfJ6h1oAn-w4qo9/s1600/IMG_9005A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpKpjvqlPOq5fDVy5d-Prnr350znq7jIgwN_InqjlPoz8WAZvTLMB2VKotMOTmnfxKVByJzlvizIfUYMczrErXDO2N6iaPyl_WarBAMIIYHsTdX_enHjlLinYZb9DJIfJ6h1oAn-w4qo9/s320/IMG_9005A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Czar and Divo make the most of the last bit of warmth and green, enjoying each other's company.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NeZC9Cyi7JaI8R17i-j_O8PvdzI7GMqJHEHkK2aoRJJBG1crW4Rwp5S5MOACqI-fWZy7WjdcoSvDPkJgmAXG56mz799O6xnlqbOnwK4fPK2tp5NUs1WbNHdhcGf_N6l05foRFnaZIoZh/s1600/IMG_9021A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NeZC9Cyi7JaI8R17i-j_O8PvdzI7GMqJHEHkK2aoRJJBG1crW4Rwp5S5MOACqI-fWZy7WjdcoSvDPkJgmAXG56mz799O6xnlqbOnwK4fPK2tp5NUs1WbNHdhcGf_N6l05foRFnaZIoZh/s320/IMG_9021A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And lastly a freshly cut pasture as we prepare for winter...it will grow back even better next spring.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqqMwewl8Vx0wHo9qB1GhUH-g9LIrUvpe95PTimMOskQEwRNbj9Z3lD9lqWrBDoIP7MPLCOP92b_FD8sHEZB5woIk2HfdK8YeBqf4yuv088B8gqRwxxRupMCEBsRYztAvTlOmbBu-pmtF/s1600/IMG_9733A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqqMwewl8Vx0wHo9qB1GhUH-g9LIrUvpe95PTimMOskQEwRNbj9Z3lD9lqWrBDoIP7MPLCOP92b_FD8sHEZB5woIk2HfdK8YeBqf4yuv088B8gqRwxxRupMCEBsRYztAvTlOmbBu-pmtF/s320/IMG_9733A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-62138738362685685932011-11-30T19:11:00.000-08:002011-12-05T19:47:52.687-08:00Mama Deer and Twin Fawns Then and Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBM9hu_21ENcQyt5PjrnzG2D2PEShSMqmVlaNHex9c-n5kf1FNgMbFSu3i-NsSxrgVZMzY1uybF5O_DdB7GFF4AsfuROERblT7oRLp4nxrBaiYa6Y8nL_3-RHnVrjTwmSRfekU_8SXP8/s1600/IMG_8746A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBM9hu_21ENcQyt5PjrnzG2D2PEShSMqmVlaNHex9c-n5kf1FNgMbFSu3i-NsSxrgVZMzY1uybF5O_DdB7GFF4AsfuROERblT7oRLp4nxrBaiYa6Y8nL_3-RHnVrjTwmSRfekU_8SXP8/s320/IMG_8746A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Since springtime we have been seeing a mama deer and a single fawn quite frequently frolicking in the backyard. One lucky morning I happened to spot a mother and 2 very active twins only about 30 yards from the back of the barn. They were so cute. The one baby stuck close to mom while the other kept running back and forth along the mown path as if to say "look at me, I have legs!" The mom kept a watchful eye on me as I was able to snap these photos. Beyond sweet! I think there actually were two moms and their respective 2 sets of twins. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MkNs1caHk2GizAGBVAXZ4mR7gG5KvAWiQY4FQJ3KS-qvWW0Jh9gPM9J-XLk34K6KSUEabepvPHFkkJGOJ2XC5OClrK5w6FlPlo00ZHmOD2CwzlzAKNyRxJTz1dXnB6nHmBM39qB_WnU/s1600/IMG_8757A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MkNs1caHk2GizAGBVAXZ4mR7gG5KvAWiQY4FQJ3KS-qvWW0Jh9gPM9J-XLk34K6KSUEabepvPHFkkJGOJ2XC5OClrK5w6FlPlo00ZHmOD2CwzlzAKNyRxJTz1dXnB6nHmBM39qB_WnU/s320/IMG_8757A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXLqmscGdBn8DXITLeXkKqd6sKqgsFILUlDvLRy7Aq441sM_vi2iVHW59KHC1lZb4z5fWzpn0ovr6uMbxF0UqegtIersfU6y2eL-5nMeFF32QTqSMx8YiMWrbDm6lWMPYDkFL3LXH3ac/s1600/IMG_8760A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXLqmscGdBn8DXITLeXkKqd6sKqgsFILUlDvLRy7Aq441sM_vi2iVHW59KHC1lZb4z5fWzpn0ovr6uMbxF0UqegtIersfU6y2eL-5nMeFF32QTqSMx8YiMWrbDm6lWMPYDkFL3LXH3ac/s320/IMG_8760A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31rzChh899ZIi3hjCfrP01ZQIHqdquutGoliDsNNenr-E1YvuhWe_JaeKX2kqZcQp-3igl_IzF8x8bFp8cN1SHVxtVvPV0QOCPTPMi4zg6JoIqVaOn72xxweOSy3qWs1p83X5qkUifzo/s1600/IMG_8765A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31rzChh899ZIi3hjCfrP01ZQIHqdquutGoliDsNNenr-E1YvuhWe_JaeKX2kqZcQp-3igl_IzF8x8bFp8cN1SHVxtVvPV0QOCPTPMi4zg6JoIqVaOn72xxweOSy3qWs1p83X5qkUifzo/s320/IMG_8765A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now that it is fall is here the families are still very much around and often travel together. Seeing the fawns all grown up is quite nice. Kind of hard to see so click on it to blow it up if you can.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAk2V8csD4sbU9t6R2_NW2eLbBhM-ILXkTvld9uH-BiCwdZJF0MKzW3ruT0C2IRGB4W26a7dN_Rml7Iz7cmlJpnZ1ryXCJWZAPcGxVXOaG3iPEp8wHRtFwX6Bt4CP0SM4zWPQcFQ3KzVl/s1600/IMG_9271A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAk2V8csD4sbU9t6R2_NW2eLbBhM-ILXkTvld9uH-BiCwdZJF0MKzW3ruT0C2IRGB4W26a7dN_Rml7Iz7cmlJpnZ1ryXCJWZAPcGxVXOaG3iPEp8wHRtFwX6Bt4CP0SM4zWPQcFQ3KzVl/s640/IMG_9271A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
All I ask is stay away from my baby trees (hence the burlap wraps for the winter...learned my lesson last year)! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EVwvBLIagsZPZzXSXFw0rf_wMfCIeDr62GsBrauo4iNa2v1go-HzNyLVGlkNPueT2xGg6krduuwvB3xfn7VuZZyOWYmgmpu9mSSUvGpzk0F3_ggNdBhFs9KJLR1hO0y4ur7RmloOXwgi/s1600/IMG_9721A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EVwvBLIagsZPZzXSXFw0rf_wMfCIeDr62GsBrauo4iNa2v1go-HzNyLVGlkNPueT2xGg6krduuwvB3xfn7VuZZyOWYmgmpu9mSSUvGpzk0F3_ggNdBhFs9KJLR1hO0y4ur7RmloOXwgi/s320/IMG_9721A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyJ-Eo58xMcUuGyWHyEUb_NAe6bxt6btTz742wPc_lHXvHvnHPS7afwZp-hMsIGI-y8P6zpkBl06p-jOpkRvOOm1xGQ7uhVOdmKNUXB22P-6knijQvswHHr3DtlzDerwcIhGC1CFg_w7i/s1600/IMG_9723A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyJ-Eo58xMcUuGyWHyEUb_NAe6bxt6btTz742wPc_lHXvHvnHPS7afwZp-hMsIGI-y8P6zpkBl06p-jOpkRvOOm1xGQ7uhVOdmKNUXB22P-6knijQvswHHr3DtlzDerwcIhGC1CFg_w7i/s320/IMG_9723A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJkpf_4i8bYgmI6V6kfBJKXmK5Pp_3qzApaYW266mt18sMPXbpYo_l9CTDdHR457bh-yxHbiG6kiqQ_zUUQqGzl4Tjv0WoyGiEuNgSz9z2tLQeLYbI5QF7aoAayKTCMlFPw6hY05Ncvgy/s1600/IMG_9732A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJkpf_4i8bYgmI6V6kfBJKXmK5Pp_3qzApaYW266mt18sMPXbpYo_l9CTDdHR457bh-yxHbiG6kiqQ_zUUQqGzl4Tjv0WoyGiEuNgSz9z2tLQeLYbI5QF7aoAayKTCMlFPw6hY05Ncvgy/s320/IMG_9732A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-17034879409930370212011-11-07T21:45:00.000-08:002011-11-07T21:45:27.320-08:00New Posts Coming Soon...I PROMISE!It's been a while and I do apologize to my faithful followers...lots has been going on here since the end of summer. Most importantly my wife, Sarah, and I had a baby, Henrik Finn born October 10.2011<br />
We also lost a member of the Czar of the Woods Farm family, our beloved malamute, Traveler. This less than 2 weeks after our son arrived. It has been an exciting time and a sad time, and always busy hence the lack of time I have spent on the blog. I assure you though that I have taken photos of all of it and I am in the process of prepping the photos for upload to the web. Stay tuned as I hope to have new posts up within the next week.<br />
Thanks for your patience and understanding and I truly hope that I haven't lost any of you due to ennui.<br />
ericeric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893595525235055636.post-86442075309107816612011-07-21T05:25:00.000-07:002011-07-21T20:14:13.548-07:00Turtles Arrive at Czar of the Woods Farm or And Then There Were More!Last year I had spoken to my good friend Eric about possibly adopting a few box turtles from a turtle rescue group that he worked with. Knowing that this was going to be a possibility, last fall I had started to build an enclosure on our property. The enclosure is located under a beautiful grove of willow trees, next to the back pasture. When I first envisioned the enclosure I wanted to include the giant fallen limb of the willow tree that runs along the ground for at least 50 feet and has several baby willows growing out of it. My Dad and I were able to do just that and I'm very happy with the results; all 144 sq feet of it. What was started last fall was completed earlier this week, just in time for the arrival of the turtles.<br />
Eric and his family are now moving to Iowa from Colorado and needed to find homes for 3 of their box turtles that they cannot keep, specifically Western Box turtles. We would be adopting Tito, Esteban and Emmett. Also, because they have 9 other turtles but still need time to build an enclosure at their new home in Iowa we would also be temporarily housing them as well, for a total of 12 turtles. Their 9 will be leaving in August and we will keep the 3. Here is my previous post from when I started to work on the enclosure last October: <a href="http://czarofthewoodsfarm.blogspot.com/2010/11/turtle-enclosure-progress.html">http://czarofthewoodsfarm.blogspot.com/2010/11/turtle-enclosure-progress.html</a><br />
Eric and his family visited the farm yesterday and brought the turtles with them. We let them free in their enclosure, which I am proud to say that Eric told me it is the nicest turtle enclosure that he has ever seen, and within seconds they were off and exploring. Each of them finding many new cozy places to explore. Several of the turtles took time to snack on the fruits and veggies that we had provided for them.<br />
Their habitat that we created for them is a natural mix of dirt, rocks, vegetation and the willow tree limb that provides a nice place for them to climb on and under. It is pretty amazing what turtles can do and where they can go! The enclosure is a bit like turtle prison with a buried cinder block perimeter and 12 inch wide boards that are buried almost half way up, and right up against the blocks. They will not be digging out.<br />
Our menagerie has grown yet again but these little guys are pretty low maintenance. Perhaps we should start charging admission to our zoo! Enjoy the photos and thanks to Eric and his family for trusting us to care for part of their family, and for letting us adopt 3 of them.<br />
<br />
In this photo you can see how the turtles are transported. The two in the center are wood turtles.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkk0rqzny_KjrYaS09HPdivSaAMY7yFdsqf_UBfDtOBsMAh_vgiPaNFZZHPQvSOfgr1ObHgjpoPOxB6iqhnuwGADmGkKEkol39nL_xXTdGM0Q-OjXXQ29GMOjpGRGxXEv9_cJrEBfMviM/s1600/IMG_8866web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkk0rqzny_KjrYaS09HPdivSaAMY7yFdsqf_UBfDtOBsMAh_vgiPaNFZZHPQvSOfgr1ObHgjpoPOxB6iqhnuwGADmGkKEkol39nL_xXTdGM0Q-OjXXQ29GMOjpGRGxXEv9_cJrEBfMviM/s320/IMG_8866web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This photo was taken within seconds of release into the enclosure. There are 6 turtles in this photo. Can you spot them? (click on photo to enlarge). It is amazing to me how well their natural camouflage blends in no matter what the surrounding is. As you can see the downed willow limb (but still alive and growing baby trees from it) is an incredibly important aspect of the habitat as it allows them to climb on it and under it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pPGvsl-e2Vyqnfv4YF0W1JhPHMk-FrqOcOE0dOCQK5oNWfDanJJiI3UHLA_3TyF8VMA42jfvtm2RzEsuNRNU9f-l6TBnrxIUEjIVTbIOAqNQQU20kHNMgOBRa2MRKDMLq4ztw47QZvg/s1600/IMG_8867web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pPGvsl-e2Vyqnfv4YF0W1JhPHMk-FrqOcOE0dOCQK5oNWfDanJJiI3UHLA_3TyF8VMA42jfvtm2RzEsuNRNU9f-l6TBnrxIUEjIVTbIOAqNQQU20kHNMgOBRa2MRKDMLq4ztw47QZvg/s320/IMG_8867web.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqe-q3wo3HTkjHw-a8j5oWjNB-24T_CENP9SKAj5FwSnIzM_UU0e_Wa5yEHL4lwzOl1TQJurY6t-qaz6uyDUsDTSn-EOD5UBsNpykTNGKg35GxGmTT3JyeGZdVUsvuQCARRL0J6Qo8jj8/s1600/IMG_8870web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqe-q3wo3HTkjHw-a8j5oWjNB-24T_CENP9SKAj5FwSnIzM_UU0e_Wa5yEHL4lwzOl1TQJurY6t-qaz6uyDUsDTSn-EOD5UBsNpykTNGKg35GxGmTT3JyeGZdVUsvuQCARRL0J6Qo8jj8/s320/IMG_8870web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyl3AnCQV2gmycl45bLYr669RwLTZKVpqu1izxPaLb8QtZBNG9Y2QBBWc-7p1e3ONx9qoibuSk17A206Uc1303Q2-CIJwEHoyTz6uJH3r34C1_TFUZcUpYH6OjdnHhxXC83aVGbM1he0/s1600/IMG_8874web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyl3AnCQV2gmycl45bLYr669RwLTZKVpqu1izxPaLb8QtZBNG9Y2QBBWc-7p1e3ONx9qoibuSk17A206Uc1303Q2-CIJwEHoyTz6uJH3r34C1_TFUZcUpYH6OjdnHhxXC83aVGbM1he0/s320/IMG_8874web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUKuL3AVxp-71JNHEanGwaG90K9zh6ujXSY0gJ4cKLc-VLIG0fQH1kC9rXiHPwulm26QEAsXUEWKYcp0HDPG5WtMKnlVIoPnMJWgXh2OoWolgasrOICyHh_2Nwzu8dYA391pT4uT_Qe8/s1600/IMG_8879web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUKuL3AVxp-71JNHEanGwaG90K9zh6ujXSY0gJ4cKLc-VLIG0fQH1kC9rXiHPwulm26QEAsXUEWKYcp0HDPG5WtMKnlVIoPnMJWgXh2OoWolgasrOICyHh_2Nwzu8dYA391pT4uT_Qe8/s1600/IMG_8879web.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mn1U7kmXqgJpwUZ_omCpS8gPpVT6oSyy7_hL1trA9_hSCR9GqHHZcpgDo5ZSAzV2KvmUBRXoHu4cUkNXaoMwoSNxJaOAa5I8ORi53_ahQg7oPF2m__jbHzw7Bt1Du66sxQSy_u4VvDo/s1600/IMG_8881web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mn1U7kmXqgJpwUZ_omCpS8gPpVT6oSyy7_hL1trA9_hSCR9GqHHZcpgDo5ZSAzV2KvmUBRXoHu4cUkNXaoMwoSNxJaOAa5I8ORi53_ahQg7oPF2m__jbHzw7Bt1Du66sxQSy_u4VvDo/s1600/IMG_8881web.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgji-UF4RqPrZHytV9QHclntFYcWGrRJbtX2qZYSH-qNL8CHXrmguNhmRzJHwamX7VyOS0-DpFa-EHidklc-cgzRJcPWMD4B3HUqkgMrfzpwQj3gRx3eVB_wC3FOfYkxt_3i-8TLPieZAo/s1600/IMG_8885web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgji-UF4RqPrZHytV9QHclntFYcWGrRJbtX2qZYSH-qNL8CHXrmguNhmRzJHwamX7VyOS0-DpFa-EHidklc-cgzRJcPWMD4B3HUqkgMrfzpwQj3gRx3eVB_wC3FOfYkxt_3i-8TLPieZAo/s1600/IMG_8885web.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheaKmDBNZn310Cf4n03XHZMdryGH8dD6n6y7GGhTZHAp2nMZEsSOoMKP0AIgQp5myEsYY0djNpyOTI5aE4tOo_jApWvxsOhtcIShqE1xq3lCvgeSiERoCFqA6MsNv-XV0dnQl3J6N7_kQ/s1600/IMG_8891web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheaKmDBNZn310Cf4n03XHZMdryGH8dD6n6y7GGhTZHAp2nMZEsSOoMKP0AIgQp5myEsYY0djNpyOTI5aE4tOo_jApWvxsOhtcIShqE1xq3lCvgeSiERoCFqA6MsNv-XV0dnQl3J6N7_kQ/s1600/IMG_8891web.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
Here is a photo of the enclosure. Don't mind the leftover construction materials on the ground in front.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWT5hlhQMdysQ7QptPznHxAGS0AtIAINTKsREWnLUwwmwx_Qo7nyEpZHSUYQJSndvz7e17lW2wKG0cmQO-dTr5DyH88Pt5L8c3eoFR7D0EWML6WPVkKfk8PRZC-adnec3rcf_vX7fPSZ8/s1600/IMG_8898web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWT5hlhQMdysQ7QptPznHxAGS0AtIAINTKsREWnLUwwmwx_Qo7nyEpZHSUYQJSndvz7e17lW2wKG0cmQO-dTr5DyH88Pt5L8c3eoFR7D0EWML6WPVkKfk8PRZC-adnec3rcf_vX7fPSZ8/s1600/IMG_8898web.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Here is a nice photo of the willow tree limb running through the back of the enclosure.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvQ4O342OqgxHH5itHQMX9nVLiNDhNgIlLTEH6H3G80TzKRIPhKDoHpET_n5BVB2WzC2RWckAE3Tssiq4KsFkONSCIHSKrfAahRycNcXcBxnZ-VTtuAaVG47Sd95QscaBqhjH_W0yh5g/s1600/IMG_8899web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvQ4O342OqgxHH5itHQMX9nVLiNDhNgIlLTEH6H3G80TzKRIPhKDoHpET_n5BVB2WzC2RWckAE3Tssiq4KsFkONSCIHSKrfAahRycNcXcBxnZ-VTtuAaVG47Sd95QscaBqhjH_W0yh5g/s1600/IMG_8899web.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Look at how well he blends in...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdAt8mexbCsWyj_66b9Ks7L0VR83IJrNJLdUGwuJavvfIx75QKS-Zm4LBr3Db_L5z_iVFMm7Ujo2K4bi6VbZEb_JmOlIU1rvbe3PO6cqBsLuGRfvdQQcm6rStBdzkQYHLhGBYxCNLUyM/s1600/IMG_8903web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdAt8mexbCsWyj_66b9Ks7L0VR83IJrNJLdUGwuJavvfIx75QKS-Zm4LBr3Db_L5z_iVFMm7Ujo2K4bi6VbZEb_JmOlIU1rvbe3PO6cqBsLuGRfvdQQcm6rStBdzkQYHLhGBYxCNLUyM/s1600/IMG_8903web.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Dusty here was digging a hole to keep cool in less than 24 hrs after his arrival. A sure sign of happiness.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzQNgRv441YeJFTCqbPEFb9kFfpPk_0M1-fwDoT8dDjf3HmBV28kg8FQcJkchcOuE0mt0O2i-NerM0HTIwo9l8fDehZlijvZoUsxOdOWRkeCuTZy85EmlhcD2PR1msZ-oLMG7VeNQLtg/s1600/IMG_8905web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzQNgRv441YeJFTCqbPEFb9kFfpPk_0M1-fwDoT8dDjf3HmBV28kg8FQcJkchcOuE0mt0O2i-NerM0HTIwo9l8fDehZlijvZoUsxOdOWRkeCuTZy85EmlhcD2PR1msZ-oLMG7VeNQLtg/s320/IMG_8905web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXSQL0-qYj0FcqdiZs-WyNaZeohBzk-lZ7qm3UMDeUk_S66qSldekxRQPyv-5L3_0thYhWYyEYeg9sID9oEdQUI8jnDwscHVhNqF3pkpQTzhN7I0jdaJjjfS4u0rd7G5NM-FVr8gPQh8/s1600/IMG_8912web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXSQL0-qYj0FcqdiZs-WyNaZeohBzk-lZ7qm3UMDeUk_S66qSldekxRQPyv-5L3_0thYhWYyEYeg9sID9oEdQUI8jnDwscHVhNqF3pkpQTzhN7I0jdaJjjfS4u0rd7G5NM-FVr8gPQh8/s1600/IMG_8912web.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I believe this is Esteban. Still learning the subtle difference between our 3. I think I got it but they all look very similar.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvFensLmKz88QxENjgaWpJpnlDOd50lQtz0YyoHMWVFGS5txUcE-S5__01iGJMSRB2nhJMLjPBI_EKhecddbLy0GOtS-T7UJklpC2lo1UKnvlRSZ1bNqqGBN8cJEGF0bLccrE5-3a9fM/s1600/IMG_8913web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvFensLmKz88QxENjgaWpJpnlDOd50lQtz0YyoHMWVFGS5txUcE-S5__01iGJMSRB2nhJMLjPBI_EKhecddbLy0GOtS-T7UJklpC2lo1UKnvlRSZ1bNqqGBN8cJEGF0bLccrE5-3a9fM/s1600/IMG_8913web.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVotxxGixDQbAjKXtzW2zsERn0MnZRxnit1xTHwcKi75Wuz_hSqnzwoVAyPJwH3s3aEgwngZYGW-UOBluSHGt-girESPWZ-Id6lspGWumhiyFwyTpri4PrXm9Vv6lE9Kd_qugsgi1YxgA/s1600/IMG_8918web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVotxxGixDQbAjKXtzW2zsERn0MnZRxnit1xTHwcKi75Wuz_hSqnzwoVAyPJwH3s3aEgwngZYGW-UOBluSHGt-girESPWZ-Id6lspGWumhiyFwyTpri4PrXm9Vv6lE9Kd_qugsgi1YxgA/s320/IMG_8918web.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br class="webkit-block-placeholder" />eric kancarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16025374402370969134noreply@blogger.com1