tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post4022200222679002145..comments2024-03-14T05:55:13.709-05:00Comments on Farmgirl Fare: Wild Kingdom: A Big Sunday Feast & A Mysterious Little OwlFarmgirl Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851855517852917202noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-82023276715971672152012-12-20T04:41:12.162-06:002012-12-20T04:41:12.162-06:00Susan, found you via Zoe's blog (and Illustrat...Susan, found you via Zoe's blog (and Illustration Friday)as I wanted to know more about Screech Owls, which were unknown to me. I love owls. I very much enjoyed reading your brave account of farm life, sitting all snug and safe here in my flat in London. Missing the hell out of the wilderness of South Africa where I'm from originally. I am full of admiration for the challenges you face(d?) and the honesty of your writing.tanjawilmothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02355892257663343417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-60885885828350216912012-11-20T06:04:27.882-06:002012-11-20T06:04:27.882-06:00Susan, thanks for leaving a link to your pictures ...Susan, thanks for leaving a link to your pictures at my blog. I'm sorry about your poor sheep - hope this is no longer a problem. Your pictures of that owl are beautiful. I recently spent a long time looking for a shot of a screech owl's back, and never found anything good, but here one is! I'll come back to your blog for reference material:)Zoehttp://pearledearth.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-59830813790464968462012-02-18T06:00:26.572-06:002012-02-18T06:00:26.572-06:00wow! What a great story about your wild kingdom (...wow! What a great story about your wild kingdom (btw I LOVED that program when I was little). Thank you for sharing the trials and tribulations of life on the great "frontier" (hehe)! <br />Also, your pictures of the owl are AMAZING!!! And what a treat and beautiful confirmation of why you live the way you do. I enjoy your blog very much. I grew up on a farm but now live in a city - your stories and pictures take me back to my happy place ;) yay!shannaiganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09704314158576105399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-56439297699615001062010-04-29T14:26:21.068-05:002010-04-29T14:26:21.068-05:00Wow, that was a terrific, if sad, story. It shows...Wow, that was a terrific, if sad, story. It shows what real life is like. It's too bad things worked out that way with the cayotes, but there's not much you could have done about it. I'm surprised, but relieved, that some zealous animal rights person didn't give you a hard time for posting that.<br /><br />The owl was really cool. Sounds like he was enjoying the sunny day too.Eleanorhttp://myhomestdfantasy.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-80264192546622545282010-04-28T16:00:17.946-05:002010-04-28T16:00:17.946-05:00Yes, farm life can be so very sad and hard at time...Yes, farm life can be so very sad and hard at times. Coyotes killed one of my favorite sheep a few years ago. Wild dogs came and killed even more. We have to try to kill the coyotes to keep the population down on our place or none of our anmimals will be safe. The only other thing I kill are the rattlesnakes. For those who think we should not kill coyotes then I say they have not had to watch loved animals be torn apart or have never nursed a baby who lost mom or mom who lost baby. When you farm and ranch there are things that have to happen even if unpleasant... sorry for your loss. I know I mourn every single animal we lose on our place...<br />I LOVE your owl!Weekend Cowgirlhttp://weekendcowgirl.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-77178152778190385602008-05-16T22:37:00.000-05:002008-05-16T22:37:00.000-05:00sorry about the loss of your sheep. you are corre...sorry about the loss of your sheep. you are correct though, when you are in the business of raising animals on a farm, loss is enevitable. Alpacas are good for protecting sheep. Also, a note about your screetch owl, many say that staring at them directly is a forshadow of death in your life. Seems his timing was appropriate. Keep your head up.Amanda Sahahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10010981810822643916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-69784241090568956222008-05-02T23:27:00.000-05:002008-05-02T23:27:00.000-05:00It's so sad when humans and wild animals cross pat...It's so sad when humans and wild animals cross paths. The fact that the coyotes were reluctant to leave their meal only proves how hungry they were.<BR/><BR/>However, I understand how you feel. How horrible it must've been for you. My aunt owns a farm here in Australia with some sheep and they have problems with wild dogs. <BR/><BR/>There is a huge pack and they seem to just kill for fun. Only eating one but killing five or six.<BR/><BR/>I only wish there were more humane ways of dealing with these situations.<BR/><BR/>Good luck. *hugs*Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03212723817693682304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-54226642694160472312008-05-02T16:03:00.000-05:002008-05-02T16:03:00.000-05:00I'm very glad you did write the story. You're rig...I'm very glad you did write the story. You're right, life isn't always fair, for us or the other animals on the planet. It would be nice if we could all get along and not hurt one another, but it won't be happening anytime soon. You have written about it in a very honest and brave fashion, and I thank you for that...Trishymousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10448388630980259659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-88522331650187845632008-05-01T14:41:00.000-05:002008-05-01T14:41:00.000-05:00You're a rockstar farm girl. Because clearly there...You're a rockstar farm girl. <BR/><BR/>Because clearly there's more to farming than cuddling baby sheep and picking veggies from the garden - and the fact that you're doing it all is what makes you a farm girl, indeed.<BR/><BR/>Even the owl knows. He's like, "Check this chick out - she means business and I intend to sit here and watch."FinnyKnitshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08813175777047535103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-2253131515555186442008-05-01T14:19:00.000-05:002008-05-01T14:19:00.000-05:00So sorry for your loss....so thankful for your pos...So sorry for your loss....so thankful for your post.<BR/><BR/>Brilliantly saidlittlemikemackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13957237894182413164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-7628469269544842812008-05-01T10:42:00.000-05:002008-05-01T10:42:00.000-05:00I am sorry about your loss of lamb. I've been deal...I am sorry about your loss of lamb. I've been dealing with lions over the last few years and got to witness one "in action" three weeks ago when he killed my favorite goat...while it was still light out! I didn't pen them up until dusk before, but now, well, I look around me a little bit more carefully and pen them up while I can see more clearly. There are things that have to be done on a farm, whether or not they are pleasant and dealing approprietly with predators is one of them. Some people don't understand this and never will, but those of us who deal with farm life on a daily basis...well, it's just common sense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-10265317513266088592008-04-29T16:17:00.000-05:002008-04-29T16:17:00.000-05:00Growing up on a ranch in Montana I learned a lot o...Growing up on a ranch in Montana I learned a lot of things. One thing that I always remember is that nature is not always cute and nice. The world is a food chain, something is going to die, always.<BR/><BR/>We make a decision daily (usually in the grocery store) about what it is that will die. Sometimes you choose to let a predator live, and by making that choice you have almost certainly sealed the fate of the prey. <BR/><BR/>I just wish the predators would stick to chasing deer!Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15301821696895686537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-72401715776690495632008-04-29T08:38:00.000-05:002008-04-29T08:38:00.000-05:00Sorry about the loss of your sheep....that owl, is...Sorry about the loss of your sheep....that owl, is BY FAR the cutest thing ive seen in a long time...wish i had one!CatHerderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15933478666953462356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-61525080230670096382008-04-28T16:09:00.000-05:002008-04-28T16:09:00.000-05:00Dearest Farmgirl -The difference between your farm...Dearest Farmgirl -<BR/>The difference between your farm and the Wild Kingdom is that on a daily basis, all of your flock (donkeys, sheep, chicks, cats, dogs) are happy, healthy, and safe. And they undoubtedly know and feel that. Anyone who blames you for being "stupid" by not shooting the coyotes right off would probably be the same ones who would have told you to kill Cary. Or snorted when you wanted Dan. I think you should be proud and hold your head high. You've saved many a critter, physically and emotionally, and I don't think there is anything shameful or ignorant about that.myteemingeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04014182700234108961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-10929938608772817302008-04-28T13:39:00.001-05:002008-04-28T13:39:00.001-05:00One winter while feeding the animals I watched a f...One winter while feeding the animals I watched a fox pounching on moles tunneling under the snow. I would actually look for him when on that side of the barn, a rare look into his life. That spring I bought roaster chicks which I free ranged with the other animals. One day the dogs started barking on the porch and I ran out to see what was the matter...the fox was chasing the chickens. I went running toward it screaming and it ran away. I found six almost full grown chickens dead and one so injured we had to kill it. It would have been one thing if he killed one and ate it but he killed six and left them all, it was like it was for sport instead of hunger. I called my brother and he was able to find the fox and dispense of it. I have started to let people with furtaking licenses on my property to trap what they can trap. I learned my lesson...in the Wild Kingdom it is survival of the fitest and that is what they made me be. Good luck to you.Judyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00647798372172407775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-42825697400853717572008-04-28T13:39:00.000-05:002008-04-28T13:39:00.000-05:00It's never easy to lose what you care for. Unfortu...It's never easy to lose what you care for. Unfortunatly it is a battle all country people face. I would have wanted those coyotes too. We live amongst other houses but do have a pack of coyotes living here. We have had to take extra measures to protect our birds and our dogs. I have woken several times in the night to find the coyotes fighting with our dogs through the fence. Where we live we can't shoot them. (too many houses) I have stood at the back door drinking my coffee and watching the coyotes run through the empty fields and back yards hunting rabbits. Just at the crack of daylight they hunt and take their kill home to their den. Then the neighborhood comes to life with people. It is like clockwork. <BR/><BR/>I am glad to see you left the lamb to nature. It would have been a shame to waste the meat. When it did make a lovely meal to many of mother natures creatures. I know that doesn't make it eaiser but it should help. <BR/><BR/>Also the owl is beautiful! You can check out a picture of an owl we have residing here. I think it was posted in November '07. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for posting...I cried and smiled right along with you!Jeanettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06376698548803160530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-12433931878806107162008-04-28T13:15:00.000-05:002008-04-28T13:15:00.000-05:00A difficult story, beautifully told. I love hearin...A difficult story, beautifully told. I love hearing the real stories of life in the wild, I miss my 'in the wild' while I am staying here on the edge of theOtherCity.<BR/><BR/>And if you could just get a photo with the owl and the pups in the same frame, the world will implode from the cute!kitchenmagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992982861785057694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-29302809708899477852008-04-28T12:39:00.000-05:002008-04-28T12:39:00.000-05:00hi susan...spent a little time this weekend on a f...hi susan...<BR/>spent a little time this weekend on a friend's sheep farm in new jersey--about 5 miles from where george washington crossed the delaware...they've had 40 lambs this season--and all but 8 of them--along with their mothers...rushed--and i mean RUSHED to the gate when we got back to their pasture..all of them running full speed and bleating away...<BR/>it was almost as cute a site as the 2 mini donkeys pulling up the rear...one named VICTOR--and his pregnant wife CHOCOLATE...<BR/>talk about a daily dose of "in person" cute...<BR/>so sorry to hear about you losing one of the sheep..feel like they are all part of my cyber-flock...<BR/><BR/>and WOW--what a HOOT (sorry--someone HAD to say it) your owl encounter was! <BR/><BR/>I just love coming to your place everyday and catching up...<BR/>you're the best..<BR/><BR/>love,<BR/>rene.reneshayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10106263112999104499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-81718392964582246142008-04-28T11:27:00.000-05:002008-04-28T11:27:00.000-05:00Thank you so much for sharing your ordeal with us....Thank you so much for sharing your ordeal with us. I had just discovered your site a couple of months ago and have been very much enjoying farm life vicariously through you. Your writing is personable and witty and you make your readers feel like friends. It is good to hear about the challenges as well as the rewards of country life. I look forward to each installment and applaud your bravery and hard work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-91709184247548365942008-04-28T11:19:00.000-05:002008-04-28T11:19:00.000-05:00P.S. I just remembered the story is linked under '...P.S. I just remembered the story is linked under 'Sold! To the little lady in the overalls!' And they are Llamas not Alpacas - Oh bless my ignorant socks. <BR/><BR/>While I am here, I think you mis-filed Wild Kingdom post under Blog Her links.BettyWesternhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13012076141080314281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-28878822364678807282008-04-28T10:35:00.000-05:002008-04-28T10:35:00.000-05:00I loved your post. I am always worring about other...I loved your post. I am always worring about other animals getting to our sheep. Even though we are in Maryland we live in a rural area. So far we have been very lucky. We have only had one death but it was pneumonia. It was hard for me and my Daughters.<BR/>I LOVED the owl pictures. We have a pair here on our farm but I have never gotten a picture!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-48242163145800448452008-04-28T10:25:00.000-05:002008-04-28T10:25:00.000-05:00This story has touched my heart, I will hold you a...This story has touched my heart, I will hold you and your wonderful farm family in the Light. Thank you for sharing! There is beauty and light, even in the darkest times. Peacemindy1221https://www.blogger.com/profile/14712497914867045661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-7761278708068743922008-04-28T10:04:00.000-05:002008-04-28T10:04:00.000-05:00I hate to hear of the loss. The bright side is th...I hate to hear of the loss. The bright side is that lots of mother nature were able to be nurtured through the carcass. I'm glad that nothing went to waste. That would have been a waste on so many levels.<BR/><BR/>Good luck getting the coyotes! I hated hearing the the killing hadn't stopped. How many have they gotten)if you don't mind sharing? <BR/><BR/>Remember the line from the movie The Patriot, "Aim small, miss small".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-27303421084962398972008-04-28T09:09:00.000-05:002008-04-28T09:09:00.000-05:00A Farmgirl's gotta do what a Farmgirl's gotta do.S...A Farmgirl's gotta do what a Farmgirl's gotta do.<BR/><BR/>Somebody mentioned Alpaca's - whatever happened to those cuties from the infamous day at the auction? Please tell the story again. :-)BettyWesternhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13012076141080314281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12997259.post-30608634221905638022008-04-28T08:19:00.000-05:002008-04-28T08:19:00.000-05:00FG, I completely understand. I remember coming ho...FG, I completely understand. I remember coming home from school one day and headed out to feed my sheep (I was 15 yrs old), finding all but one slaughtered, yes in broad daylight, not by coyotes, but by some one's dogs they had some how trained to hunt down deer. Well they turned on my flock.<BR/><BR/>I am almost 30 now and that site burns me to the core. My Lily (like your Cary) was mutilated the worst. <BR/><BR/>Unlike your roving coyotes, the gamewarden game to the barn after he had reports of the sheep bellows and tranq'ed the dogs, who were later put down. <BR/><BR/>you are right, not wrong or bad. I would want them dead too. I hope those pups help out in your cause. <BR/><BR/>Am lifting you up with my thoughts for you and sheep familyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com