A Walk Through My Woods

Little Pib and I took a walk across the back 40 this afternoon. The wind has been howling the past few days bringing a few neighborly visitors with it. Two stray goats from my neighbors bordering on the West. They don't blend well with my wildlife maintenance plan so we're always chasing them back to where they belong.

Now if you have never had the pleasure of chasing a goat or trying to catch one don't think for a moment it's an easy chore. My neighbor has each of his little babies named and pampered yet they are stubborn as a mule when it comes time to go back through the gate to go home. I learned early on in my farming days if you're going to have goats the only way to keep them in is to have a goat proof fence. To check your fence and find out if a goat can get through pick up a handful of dirt toss it at the fence and if any gets through then that darn goat is going to as well!

All the goat chasing this past week led to my afternoon of fence checking today. Pib and I found some interesting things along the way. The majestic tree that marked the beginning of the bluebonnet fields has died through the winter. I captured it in its austere beauty so that I might possibly paint it later.

This tender little shoot is one of hundreds in five bluebonnet fields that color this place blue come Easter time. We have a spot to sit and enjoy the flowers and wildlife through the seasons.

Pib discovered the deer trail then hurried on to an armadillo den.

It seems there was plenty to be found today for her little nose.

 She had no sooner sniffed out one den before she discovered another.

For a 17-year-old pup, she certainly enjoys her romp through the woods. While Pib was busy exploring everything close to the ground, I was looking at everything slightly higher.

I came across another tree that will have to be removed that had a huge bird nest close to the top. It appeared to be abandoned when I heard a chirp from high above.

 Pib decided she had enough for the day.

As we came around the back, we caught Marmalade taking a nap in one of the flower boxes. Exhausted, my little partner hurried in to rest in her favorite spot.