After a long days work, we will often sit on the stone patio overlooking the pond. The patio is to the left, amongst the trees, gardens and lawns. We are periodically joined by a couple of Mallard Ducks or other ducks passing through taking a break on the sheltered tranquil pond.

White-Tailed Deer watching as they jog out of our way

Hummingbird taking a break sitting under the eve of the house

We have deer feed on the fields once in while alongside the horses, and we have even seen the odd moose grazing near the herd.

Swallow at its nest in the eve of a shed

It is relaxing to sit at the dinner table and watch the hummingbirds feed. We also keep a feeder on the back porch, where we will sit and the brave little gaffers will fly around us. Periodically we even get a fly by, which can startle a person if they are not expecting it.

We encourage swallows and other birds to share our existance as they help keep the insect population down.

A squirrel hiding in a birdhouse

Eight month old female Lynx wandering past while we were haying

A squirrel hiding in a birdhouse (left) and a female lynx, which was watching us loading the trucks during haying season (right).

We managed to get within eight feet of the feline before she pinned her ears and hissed. The person holding camera decided it was time to get out of there.

The Lynx is often seen passing near the house or even within a short distance away from the horses, while they are grazing or relaxing in the fields or paddocks. The animals living on the ranch calmly watch the Lynx's passage, while we watch with placid interest. The Lynx has never disturbed the animals or livestock.

Hay crew loading the trucks while the tractor and baler push out more bales to be stacked

The 'Hay Crew' unloading the trucks in 30º weather

Hiring a crew of teens, they work hard at getting all the hay in within 2 days. Loading the trucks while the tractor is baling one of the fields ensures the hay is taken off the fields while the weather is still holding.

The 'Hay Crew' finishing unloading the trucks in above 30º weather. We usually haul in over 2000 bales off the property. We acquire the remaining hay needed from neighbors to guarantee the horses are well fed during the cold winter months.

Overlooking the back hay field from the back porch of the house after a long day of haying

After many years of handling the hay by hand, we have reaped the benefits of dealing with round bales when maintaining a herd of horses. Now we deal mainly with round bales and only bale enough square bales for traveling with the horses. This means we are able to get all the hay off the fields in one day.

Merling pulling the sleigh while Keno pulls the Cutter

In the winter we run the horses either in the sleigh or more often with the sleds or tobaggans. Merlin and Keno are pulling the sleigh and cutter during one of our New Years Eve gatherings.

We often invite friends over for sleighing parties and after a day of fun in the snow with the horses we retire to the house for an entertaining evening where we all eat altogether way to much, but then again, what is the Christmas season for?

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Created on December 8, 2003
Most recent update October 22, 2006

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