Lessons from the farm

Well, we wanted to get out of the city and experience living closer to nature.   At the end of our month on the little farm in rural Nambe, here’s a few of our lessons learned.   

Pay SERIOUS attention to weather reports.   

Watch the weather

Warnings of severe thunder storms and golf ball size hail flashed across the football games on tv, last night.  Sure enough, we watched the most dramatic lightning display we had ever seen.   Huge bolts of light, vertical and horizontal, sometimes several at a time lit up the night sky, for several hours.  Rain poured, and hail came down.    This morning, Terry shows me the new fallen snow on the mountain tops. 

Owning a farm is hard work.  Terry had a chat about the storm last night with our host, Leonardo.  Leonardo confirmed it was the worst lightning display he had seen in 40 years.   Leonardo told him the tree next to their house took a direct hit of lightning.  He also found the electrical to the barn had gone out.  Leonardo discovered the remains of an unfortunate squirrel lying next to the chewed and severed electrical wire which he is now trying to repair. 

I always enjoyed the TV news showing bears in someone else’s backyard.  Well, we move into the house in the foothills tomorrow.  Terry spoke with John, the owner, today and learned a 6’ metal fence post had been pushed over along with a good portion of the backyard fence.   John said nonchalantly that a very large bear just wanted to get to the cantaloupes and strawberries.   To reassure us, he said they don’t come down in the winter.  (Note to self:  Bella will not be going into the yard unattended!)

Learn to not be afraid of snakes.  John has asked us to remove any BULLSNAKES found in their koi pond.  

 

On the lookout for bullsnakes

As you can see, they are very large and sport the same color and pattern as rattlesnakes I’ve seen. Good thing Terry and I visited the Wildlife Center last week and actually saw a few live bullsnakes.  We spoke to a staff member who said, “oh, they’re harmless, nothing to be concerned about”.   Good news, staff said we can call the Wildlife Center to come and remove them.   Better yet, she suggested, we can join the snake group nearby and learn how to deal with them, and overcome our fear.  Or, there’s always Terry’s proposal of catching them with a rake and flinging them over the fence!   

Hummer at the farm

Hummingbird feeders attract more than hummers.  While at the Wildlife Center we learned about the many species of hawks in the area.  Peregrine falcons are the fastest animal on the planet, timed in excess of 220 mph in a dive.  I was stunned to learn that local falcons prey on smaller birds that are attracted to the feeders attached to your window.  They have learned a clever way to hunt.  Several people shared they have seen hawks wait for the smaller bird to come to the feeder.  Hawk then zooms in and forcefully strikes the smaller bird, knocking it into the window, stunning the prey.  Hawks sometimes recover the prey on its fall before it even hits the ground.  Gives a whole new meaning to watching the hummers feed.     

Well, farm life can be harsh, but it is fun, too.  This is Miss Daisy.  The more time you spend with her, the more you appreciate her.  She is very smart.

Miss Daisy

This is Blanca, resident goat, who we've come to enjoy.  This look means she wants treats.  If she's annoyed, i.e. if Bella gets too close, she'll head butt the fence.   We have enjoyed our lessons!  Until next time....

Blanca