Enjoying the early summer greenery

There is always lots to do at LP, especially in Spring, such as gardening and mowing.

And it’s also time to make the cabin inhabitable, the main project for the coming months (now that the ducks & geese have a snug home). We’ll be finishing up the outside, putting in a septic field, installing electrical wiring & plumbing, and doing the interior over the next few months. Due to various constraints, we can’t say when it will be ready; only that we will keep working steadily.

one of the new doors (bathroom)

The cabin now has proper doors. One in front off of the porch and two in back, out of the bathroom and kitchen. Installing them is one of the easier jobs, as they come pre-hung. Still, it took Santi some time & experiment to figure it out (with help from Dallas & Pam).

While the view from the porch promises to be a joy in all seasons, the views out the other doors aren’t at all shabby.

Looking up the hill from bathroom

From the bathroom door, looking north, we can see up into the hickory and oak woods above, with sky peeping though underneath.

view west from the kitchen door

From the kitchen, looking west, there’s more of the hickory and oak woods, plus raspberries and many other natural riches.

woods in green glory

The site is well protected from winter wind, gets good sunlight, and benefits from some natural cooling effects. Further, it nestles into the trees pretty well, so doesn’t stick out like a banged thumb.

Entertaining the neighbors

Our little flock is happy by the barns. They enjoy waddling back and forth browsing the grass. The horses, both our and neighbors, seem to enjoy them too. When the birds are being vocal, various equine faces turn for a gander.

Up by the shed

They turn out to be quite the troopers, too, clambering up the hill — at which most humans pause to catch their breath at least once — to return to the shed each evening. Perhaps they will need more time to realize that their new home is down the hill, near the creek, next to the horse barn.

The calm steady leader

Plenty of water down there, especially with all the rain we’ve been getting. The birds appear to thrive on the fresh grass and the seed heads coming out on some of the grasses. For some reason making mud puddles is extremely appealing.

Herding them into the coop at night, however, has become our latest evening sporting event. Do you know how many times a little flock of ducks can run around their coop in 20 minutes? Or scurry into the brambles to hide?

Framed up

We’re in the process of finishing up the home of our little flock.

Once we had the coop framed, Jo’s dad arrived to help put on the roof. Sun was very hot that week. (Unfortunately, can’t find images of that.)

Putting on siding

Then Santi put in the doors and windows. Now Jo is finishing up with siding and other last touches.

Junebug considers the aesthetics of this little barn

The horses come by occasionally to offer advice.

Not camera shy

As the ducklings & goslings grew, to give them more room, we had to separate them into two groups.

The two bigger sisters

After getting too big for the apartment, and a bit stinky, the ducks & geese moved out to the land 10 days ago.

Since, they’ve been spending their days in the garden and nights in the shed. They seem much happier outside and enjoy the grass.

In the garden

Now, we’re beginning to let them free range around the shed. Feathers are getting pretty and their quacks are deeper throated.

We hope to move them into their little barn soon.