So last night the coyotes were close. My new Great Pyrenees, Izzy stayed out barking at the darkness until about 3 am or so. I stayed up as well. Just in case she needed some back-up. I have a nice loaded shotgun ready.
I guess they moved on. We live just up the mountain from the river, and in the hollow there is a path. You can follow it any time of year. It is made and maintained by wild life. It is a natural wildlife corridor. It truly makes me very happy to see that there is all sorts of wildlife, alive and thriving here. It takes the sting out of my guilt for leaving an imprint here in these beautiful mountains.
I love the wildlife, but I do not want to feed them my livestock. My chickens and ducks, geese, goats, pigs, rabbits, et al, are part of my livelihood and I have a duty to protect them.
That is why I have Earl the donkey and Izzy the Great Pyrenees on the night shift. I seem to be on the night shift as well. As I stood out facing the woods at 3 am looking for movement. Izzy, at my side barking deep. I love her bark. It is not a woof sound, more like a WOOF sound. It makes me feel protected. I make her feel protected. She becomes even more brave when I am standing with her, looking into the darkness.
I posted on my neighbor's (our properties connect) facebook page, just to either A. let her know coyotes were around last night, and B. let her know that if she woke from a deep barking sound that traveled up the mountain, it was only our Izzy doing her job.
So my neighbor in turn, posted the following two picture for me:
I think he is a bobcat. Pretty muscular and healthy.
Black Bear
Aren't the just gorgeous? I know that there are all sorts of animals here. They are just so good at staying away from people. For the most part. I worry more about coyotes, raccoons and hawks, then I would a bobcat or bear. Bobcats need miles and miles to hunt. They are usually near bodies of water, because that is where the food is. Rabbits. They love rabbits. It is possible we had a bear come get our berries this Summer. I went out to pick, and it looked like somebody had drove a four wheeler through the patch. It was either a bear, or deer. In any case, I learned not to worry about losing crops to wildlife.It happens.
I watched a program on Public TV a while ago, about the American Shakers. I was fascinated by their lifestyle and way of living. Yes, it did at first get my attention because Women, played a large part in that religious movement. Also, I loved the community spirit, the art of building items with superior craftsmanship (relating work ethic to their faith) and of course the movements they made in worship and prayer. Who wants to sit still in church? I have jumpy legs. I would want to shake and shimmy. All fascinating. But what I really learned from the program, was this: The Shakers would have outsiders come and join the community, timed right about now in the year, at the second harvest. These people, would come and live out the harsh Winters, protected by the Shaker community. In the Spring, they would leave. The Shakers knew what they were up too. But I think they referred to them as Winter Worshipers, or something kind, but still truthful. Lastly what struck me and stuck to me was this lesson: Thieves from outside of their community would come and steal from their gardens. The Shakers, knowing this, just simply planted more crops the next year, to rectify the situation. Simply huh? Peaceful, giving, simple, hard working people, who were a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll. PBS - The Shakers
So, when wildlife comes and eats my carrot crop, or my peas. I think of the shakers, and am glad that they have been consumed, but keep in mind, next year, I will have to plant more.
If you watch that documentary, then look at how the Industrial Revolution negatively impacted not only the Shakers, but farming and craftsmanship in general, You will understand this wonderful little video to the played to the voice of the Great Willie Nelson. Please watch.
If you live in America. I would urge you to invest in America's oldest Seed House, simply by ordering one of their beautiful 2012 Seed Catalogs. Only $5.00. Just a Starbuck's coffee to keep our seeds free from Giant GMO Companies and in the hands of small farmers, like me.
Here is an article talking about it: Could $5.00 Save America's Oldest Seed House? I have a widget posted to on the right hand side of my blog. You can grab the code and pass the word, by blog or facebook or any outlet. This is the time when the meek actually do inherit the earth. Don't give up on Locally grown food. Farmer's Markets, and Local Farmers are very close and would love your business. Speaking of which...
Have a look at this:
