The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutJanuary 29, 2004 - Finding fun when it's freezing The Suffolk Times • January 29, 2004 � � ln ln un . , . w en 1 s reezln �� ,, �„ ��,� _ � ��r�� "�� ,,�;' �^ � ,,� � ,� �� ,.��.�"�. *..q " ,- « / . . , � �^��,�� ' �� -. � • �" � �u�� ,, e�� IT wAs oNE oF•rHose bitter cold M "�'" �� days when Barbara and I had to go up � � � �;�� , �� ,,,�� "� back to break out a couple of bales of � ^� �` ��,� p�,,, �'';,j; ha for the cows.It had snowed about ��`�'� �� " �° ^�� Y �, , an inch so walking was easy,but that �'�� '�"� , �" �� %�� ;",, cold north wind was something else. �� ,y%,r� �� -'^ �; The cows had been calling mournfully � ��%��' �� for something to eat.They're well � � ��µ°� �' �;� x ""4�"""�% ;'�� ,�p1 ��' �'bd equipped for the cold but they,like � '� � , � � � ,�, �, � � you and I,need some energy food to � ° '� , ��' i�� "� : �� help get them througy these cold days ^ "�� ,"�� '" �� ;, �x ,j�N y �m'�''�F�l i �6' �W�'.dlNi ofwinter. �� , '��„ � :,�� ,,, �� a, �n�. .., We got our boots and heavy coats - ' OTl 111d StaI'tOC�t0 1 imcs/Heview phoLo by Paul Slou�onburyh head out but, Cedar waxwings are probably the trimmest birds we have. They usually fly in F�CV$ before we did, small flocks. At this time of the year they're hunting for berries such as you ON we couldn't help see here. noticing the NATU RE small birds on It's surprising how many different by Paul our patio enjoy- kinds of birds you can attract to your Stoutenburgh ing the seed we feeder,particularly if you live where had put out.It it's brushy and overgrown.A mani- was so cold that cured lawn with no trees doesn't offer the ground feeders like the sparrows birds much in the way of protection or and juncos squatted down so they food.My son lives in an area that has could pull their feet up underneath an abundance of thickets and trees them to keep them warm.So instead and he's able to attract a wide variety of seeing birds hopping about on their of birds to his feeder.The most excit- legs,we had these little bundles of ing one,which I hadn't seen in 20 feathers all squatted down,giving us years,was a dickcissel.It's sparrow the impression that they had no legs or feet at a1L They were busy stoking size and looks like a miniature mead- u their seed fires to kee warm. ow lark,for it has that yellow breast and black V on its chest,making it quite a handsome bird.It's a bird of the West and we very seldom see it here.The last one I saw was at Judd BennetYs house in East Marion many years a o. "Let's gct another bale just to We're eaught make sure.They need extra hay dur- between enjoying We were also able to see the tun- ing this cold weather." So back we the deer and being neled ridges left by voles or meadow cross�he snoh�er bale,dragged it mice.Because the snow was but a few v,cut the baling twine annoyed by the inches deep,we could see exactly and spread that one out on the snow. damage they do. where they had traveled in their One cow is always more aggressive search for fresh grass or a hibernating than the rest. It had to come over and insect.The other track that was so �� if the second bale tasted any bet- obvious as we walked along was that tcr than the first.We pulled the bal- of a feral cat.Few people realize how ��g twine out,walked back to the many of these wild cats we have barn,hung up the twine,swung back roaming the hedge rows and fields or the big door,worked on the latch My son also has rufous-sided sneaking into open with the hammer and then headed towhees,or chewinks,along with cedar buildings,always on the back.This time we'll swing by to waxwings,catbirds,swamp sparrows, lookout for the weak or check on the chickens.We'll feed Carolina wrens (birds that we associ- uneducated mouse,vole, them and collect any eggs that are ate with summertime) and,of course, bird or whatever they there. all the regulars that commonly come might come across. As we leave I look over my shoul- to our feeders in the winter.IYs inter- It was in the orchard der at the towering windmill,now fast esting to see how this cold weather we saw the tracks of the asleep.It's waiting for spring when it draws the unusual birds to our feed- deer.They do quite a job can once again turn with the wind and ers.Remember,it's important to give of pruning our fruit trees.Everything pump water.It's 50 feet high and your birds water in the winter.You'll has been nibbled up to about five feet, makes a great perch for the red-tailed have to have a heater in the water to as far as they can reach.They are such hawk who comes and uses it for an keep it from freezing.We have one (a good jumpers that none of my fences observation platform. nice Christmas gift) and it works hold them back.We're caught As we near the chicken coop,the great. between enjoying seeing them and clucking of the hens tells us they're We had brought hay to the barn being annoyed by the damage they do anxious for their feed.Into the little during the warmer months and now to our evergreens around the house stable we go,bring out a scoop of lay- all we have to do is drag it out,cut and to the garden. ing mash and dump it open the bale and spread it around. The last track we noticed before we into their container.In The cows will spend the rest of the went into the barn was that of a large no time they're in their day munching on the dry,sometimes bird.It could only be a crow.There's a own world of eating.We not too exciting,hay.Seeing there's family of them that visits our pasture go in to check and see if nothing else to eat,they'r�mighty each day.They usually can find some- there are any eggs and, glad to get it.The walk up back leads thing to eat,some leftover we throw sure enough,there are us first through the garden,then out or whatever.They're always curi- two,but the cold weath- through the little orchard.It was here ous,and so in their walking around er has gotten to them. we first noticed animal tracks in the they leave their big,three-toed foot- �ey're rozen solid.As you know, snow. prints. anything that freezes expands,and so The familiar rabbit tracks,along We reached the barn and found the our eggs are cracked.No matter,we'll with the little round balls of waste,can only way to open the latch was with a take them in and use them. always be found in the garden.Since hammer.I've got to fix this.I don't As we stepped into the chicken we have lots of squirrels because of know why this latch gets more diffi- house we could see tracks all around the hickory trees all around,squirrel cult to open each time we come up the entrance.Dogs? Cats?No,we tracks outnumber all others.They'll here;.Cold fingers and clumsy gloves think they were the tracks of a fox try- find a buried nut under the snow. I'm don't work exactly the way they ing hard to find a good meal,but he told they find them by smell.Once should.Finally we got the door open found the door secure and so he went one is found they take it and sit on and the mound of baled hay faced us. on his way. their favorite perch,which is usually We hooked into one and dragged it Our trip up back had been interest- elevated,like a stump or limb,where out into the field across the snow. ing,and isn't that what life is all they'll go about husking the nut and Barbara cut open the bale and I about?At least it is for Barbara and gnawing into it with those sharp teeth threw the slices of hay around for the me.When we do something or go to et at the nourishin meat. waiting cows.In no time they're somewhere we try to look for little chewing away,looking much more �nteresting events,even if it's just content. go►ng out to feed the animals.Our world is one of,"Did you see this?" "Come over here and look at this." "Wow.Look at that!"Yes,that's the key to getting along in life,and believe it or not,a little snow helps.