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Part 2: A blast from the past and the answer to our mystery from history...

Saturday, March 26, 2011

It must have been spring cleaning time at the barn, because it wasn't just Sampson and Jackie who were washing up the day we visited (see this post if you missed it). Sandy also raises rabbits, and what I found fascinating was that she said the bunnies roamed loose around the barn.She told me she started out keeping them in hutches, but they kept getting sick and just looked miserable. Somewhere along the line, she got a wild hare (I'm sorry; I just had to do it *grin*) and decided to try turning them out. Everyone's health improved dramatically and they are quite content to stay around the yard; isn't that cool? Needless to say, there are bunnies everywhere. She does sell some as pets - pretty sure she'd be up to her eyeballs in them if she didn't (isn't he just adorable?) Love that floppy little ear ;o) Here's a picture of another bunny who was hanging out inside the barn with Fiona and one of the hens:
Chickens, on the other hand, are not into bunny-style bathing. Nope, they take dirt baths  (really). Has something to do with debugging themselves or some such thing. These chickens are called Dominiques or Domineckers (depending on the vernacular). Seems their official name is Dominique, but like a lot of other words has slowly morphed into something slightly different than where it started :o) In any case, I thought they were kinda cool looking with the hens more black than white and the rooster more white than black. Put 'em together and you have yourself a super-sized pair of salt-n-pepper shakers *laugh*. Mrs. D. scratched a shallow pit in the barn floor, then proceeded to flip herself around in it (and lemme tell you, she sure was fast!) I did notice that the dirt and dust didn't really seem to stick to her; too bad the horses can't do that (ha). Here's a photo of Mr. D. for you:
Of course I loved the little Bantams too; they look like little toy chickens (kind of like going from black-n-white to technicolor, isn't it? ;o) This particular Bantam is called a "BB Red". Isn't he pretty? Oh excuse me SIR, handsome.
Speaking of color, isn't this interesting? These different-colored eggs belong to a pair of Muscovy Ducks (although I'm wondering if that little tiny one in there could be a stowaway - he's quite a bit smaller than the others, don't you think?) Mom and Dad [photo below] apparently decided to go out for a bit of a stroll (guess they figured the kids were old enough to stay by themselves without a babysitter; either that or Fiona was keeping an eye on things while they were out).
The weird brown shapes infringing upon the photo below [left side] are part of a saddle and stirrup leather on Freckles, the horse I was riding. Disclaimer from Sandy: "I did NOT name these horses, they came with lame names but I didn't think it was fair to change it when they already knew their names". I try to adhere to this policy as well, that's why we have a "Lady", a "Champ" and a "Shadow". The only one I have changed, was Maximus, a.k.a. [Mad] Max and that's because he came with the seriously lame name of Bumper, and are you kidding me?? (I mean honestly. It rhymes with "Thumper" the bunny whose best friend was a skunk named "Flower" that...Ugh. Well, nevermind). We'll just say that as our token Quarter Horse, he would never have been able to hold his head up around his herd mates with that name - quite mortifying really ;o)

We didn't do much riding, just some leisurely laps in the round pen before wandering about the yard a bit. I debated whether or not to post any pictures of us, as we are sans headgear (making us not very good role models) and there IS a war going on over the use of helmets. Maybe I won't get blasted out of the blogosphere *wince*. Hopefully, between now and the next time I go back for an actual trail ride I'll be able to get my hands on a decent helmet that actually fits, doesn't weigh a million pounds, and won't cause a heat stroke during the summer in the South (oh, and doesn't cost a fortune either...Yeesh, anything else? ;o)
We stopped to smile at the little bunnies in the hutch that would soon be going to new homes. DD announced that if she goes trail riding with us, it needed to be on something a little bigger than what she got this time (as the smallest and lightest of us, she got pony detail. Rosie was an awesome pony though. If I were six inches shorter I would have ridden her myself).
I've never seen a two-toned bunny rabbit before. Isn't he neat looking? Milk chocolate AND special dark all in one; perfect for an Easter basket *grin*.

Speaking of bunnies, would you believe that's what our mystery photo was? They were less than 24 hours old, and covered up by Mom for protection and warmth. Sandy carefully moved the fur so I could see them. They are so tiny - not to mention all pink. If she had not told me they were rabbits, I would have assumed some sort of rodent (they're blind and bald to boot - wow). I shot a short video clip for you and although it was very dark in the stall where they were, I really did not want to turn on the flash. That's what the green blip is in the video; my camera asking for more light (I said nope, sorry).
It's kind of grainy, but I think you can see them well enough. I was fascinated by the way their wiggling and popping around had such purpose (if you watch carefully, you'll notice that they basically covered themselves right back up). I sort of slapped together a few photos with the clip (shall we call it a bunny blip?) Here you go...Annoying music is optional (hadn't heard Little Bunny Foo-Foo in years *giggle* ;o)

Bunny Blips from Jen on Vimeo.

I'd have to say though, this last little bunny cracked me up; the other rabbits were a little squiggly, but not too bad. This little gal, however, was having none of it. She planted her paws and squealed in righteous indignation at Sandy to put her down RIGHT NOW! This bunch was older (about three weeks I think) and hopping and popping all over one of the other stalls in the barn. Not my best shot, certainly, but don't you just love that furry little face and the teeny tiny teeth? (even if she is seriously peeved ;o)
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

7 comments:

  1. So many adorable animals here today! Honestly.... I could sit among the critters there and be the happiest girl in the world. Those baby bunnies... they are just too much sweetness so close to bedtime!!!! I am going on sugar overload ~ cute cute cute!!!

    xo Catherine

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  2. Catherine: Me too, me too, me too! I took a gazillion pictures and had a hard time deciding which ones to post. I could not believe how long my post got either - eek! :o)

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  3. If I were in charge of my world I'd have bunnies running around, too. Wait, what am I saying? I have bunnies all over - wild ones. They don't seem to be quite as cute!

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  4. Bunnies and roosters and hens oh my :) Just a blog post full of awesomness today. I've often thought about how great it would be to live with that all around me every day. My little fantasy world doesn't show the fact that someone has to take care of all those critters.

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  5. Dreaming: *Laugh* I'd have to agree with that; must be all those unique little faces and variety of colors that just makes them cuter :o)
    Ann: Oh thank you! Your comment says it all too; particularly the last sentence. I keep running into that same little road block every time I see a critter I'd like to have or keep (and do I really have time to take care of anything else? Um...Nope ;o)

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  6. Those bunnies are all adorable but I love the first floppy eared one best.

    I liked those spotty horses you were riding, very pretty. I got a helmet from Troxel that fits pretty well and is so much cooler in the summer than the black velvet ones. I think it's called the Dakota something or other and it's tan with vent holes to let the steam escape and it's comfy. Check it out in the Dover catalog or wherever you buy stuff, see if you like it.

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  7. GreyHorse: Me too; he was just adorable ;o)
    I'll have to check out the Troxels at Jeffers (they're less than a mile up the road, which is a good news bad news kinda thing, you know? *grin*). I've had getting another helmet on my "list" forever; it just kept getting shuffled to the bottom of the pile.

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