Spring is in the air

The snow is melting,
the sun is shining
and, the warmth of spring is in the air.

Along with spring, things around the ranch get a little more hectic.
Calving has started.
lambing has started,
chicks are hatching,
pups are leaving,
 geese are returning,
the eagles are back,
the roads are muddy,
the horses are shedding
and, the days are now extending  into the evening.

The cows are also calving, we did not need to do too much preparations for them, as they are calving out in the bush and pasture.
They are under the watchful eyes of the guardian dogs.

It is always nice to see the cows finding a good spot to calve, and nothing is nicer than having a baby up and drinking before you even get to it.

The last few days most of the pups have moved on to their new owners, homes and jobs.
It is always a little sad to see them leave.
It is wonderful to see updates of the pups in their new homes and to see them grow.
Some pups got to fly, others had long road trips. Those who were flying got treated to a bath, so that they smell of sheep barn would not be too overpowering.

We have two pups staying a little longer, both these pups are heading to the USA. I get to enjoy them a little while longer.

Green




Pup 8

Eric has been hatching out some baby chicks, adding to the spring feeling.




Lambing has just started.
but, before all those fun and games could get going, we had to do some preparations.
The barn needed some adapting to house the bigger group, the January lambs have been weaned, the ewes are shorn, the ewe lambs sorted off, vaccinating and other routine sheep chores needed to be done.
The last feeder lambs left to market.

So, all in all things are chugging along here.