View Full Version : Our Farm Walk, 2 months later; photo heavy
Freedom
06-03-2010, 04:32 PM
Hey everyone! We have been going to the “farm walk,” as I call it, quite a bit. There have been many changes since I first took you on this walk in March! (You can see the introduction to this walk here:
http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=160044&highlight=walkies
We start at the bottom, follow the red line, then switch to the blue line on the way back to the car.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/Mar%2020%20Brigham%20Farm%20walk/IMG_2873SmallRoutemap.jpg
You may recall that the field is planted, and the conservation group has an arrangement with a local farmer, he will use it for hay for his farm animals. Last time around, the grasses were just that: grass to walk on. NO LONGER!
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_2971Small.jpg
The grasses are now shoulder high on a human. For a fluff? The grass makes a wall! Marlin isn’t sure which way to go! LOL
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_2972Small.jpg
My diva dog, Sugar, sits and waits for instructions.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_2973Small.jpg
While Lacey gives a hop over a little grass clump.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_2974Small.jpg
The entry way always has lots of good smells; most dogs get out of their car and “go” right at the start, lol.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_2975Small.jpg
“I don’t think this is the right way, Mum!” - Marlin
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_2976Small.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_2977Small.jpg
Stand by, more photos coming!
Freedom
06-03-2010, 04:33 PM
Volunteers from the conservation group come through and maintain the paths for public use.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_2983Small.jpg
It is mostly single file walking. On occasion, I do stop and pick up each one, let them take a look around and get their bearings. I will turn in a complete circle - slowly, so they can see every which way.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_2984Small.jpg
There are still good smells on either side, and not just from other dogs!
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_2985Small.jpg
But even adventurous Tasha doesn’t go in too deep before backing out and coming after me.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_2986Small.jpg
We had to stop and wait for Lacey to catch up, she found a REALLY good smell to sniff!
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_2987Small.jpg
Looking across to the houses, their backyards are much more private now.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_2988Small.jpg
There was a nice breeze, and the grasses were flowing.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_2989Small.jpg
Here, you can see them moving in the breeze.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miSa7wbuicU
The farmer has already been through and harvested one section. We didn’t see him at all, boo hoo. That area is all reseeded!
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_2990Small.jpg
Lots more to come!
Freedom
06-03-2010, 04:33 PM
Tasha (front to back), Sugar, Marlin, Lacey.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_2991Small.jpg
They don’t normally walk single file, so Sugar tries a pass.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_2992Small.jpg
Adventurous Tasha is not interested in giving up the lead, so she veers off into grass . . .
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_2993Small.jpg
And finds the open field, lol!
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_2994Small.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_2995Small.jpg
Tasha cuts back in – ahead of ME as well!
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_2996Small.jpg
You can see the results of the deluge of rain we had in April, when there was all the flooding. The grasses are much shorter in the flooded area, and spring right up in the back.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_2997Small.jpg
It is not really ALL grass! There are clumps of clover as well.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_2999Small.jpg
Marlin and Lacey emerge from the path with walls of grass, into the area with short grass due to the prior flood.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3000Small.jpg
More walkies pics on the way.
Freedom
06-03-2010, 04:34 PM
We have a space with short grass so we can spread out. Whew! And see the white wild roses on the left? They are highly fragrant, so this entire stretch smells LOVELY! (To me, not to the dogs, he hee).
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3001Small.jpg
Smiley face Tasha shows you large purple clover, smaller white clover, and a yellow flower.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3003Small.jpg
The flooded area didn’t recover well; the farmer will need to reseed it.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3004Small.jpg
Another shot of the wild roses; I have some in my backyard at home as well.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3006Small.jpg
The little yellow flowers grow low to the ground.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3007Small.jpg
Tasha and Marlin head back into an overgrown area.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3009Small.jpg
I think these are called Michealmas Daisies.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3010Small.jpg
There are buttercups all mixed in as well. Do you see the honey bee? Big problem here, as over 1/3 of the honey bee hives died over the winter. Not clear how the farmers are going to manage to get their crops pollinated!
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3011Small.jpg
A close up of the wild roses.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3012Small.jpg
Isn't this walk fun? Stand by, will show you some more.
Freedom
06-03-2010, 04:35 PM
Now we are at the end of the fields and entering the wooded area. Lots of changes here as well. It is all overhanging with trees, vines, leaves, and ground cover!
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3013Small.jpg
Marlin and Tasha pause to cool down in the shade.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3014Small.jpg
The canopy is so dense, my camera turned on the automatic flash for this photo!
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3015Small.jpg
So I shut off the flash for this one.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3016Small.jpg
Tasha, Sugar, Marlin and Lacey.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3017Small.jpg
Beautiful ferns have sprouted in the undergrowth!
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3019Small.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3020Small.jpg
Tasha: “something has been through here!” (She missed the rabbit, te hee)
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3021Small.jpg
“What IS that smell from?” (Tasha has not yet seen a rabbit, so the scent it unfamiliar to her.)
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3022Small.jpg
There is still more to see, coming right up.
Freedom
06-03-2010, 04:35 PM
Cool path through the woods, under dense canopy.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3023Small.jpg
The leaves cut the sight lines down a lot compared to what we could see in March.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3024Small.jpg
And you can’t see the reservoir as easily now, either!
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3025Small.jpg
I had to find a gap in the trees.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3026Small.jpg
See the ripples? Those are from the breeze, as the current is actually in the opposite direction.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3027Small.jpg
Water lilies have appeared along the edge.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3028Small.jpg
Back out into the open (and the hot sun!) along the reservoir.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3030Small.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3031Small.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3032Small.jpg
Freedom
06-03-2010, 04:36 PM
This is where the Canadian geese hang out.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3033Small-1.jpg
Tasha loves to burst out of the woods and race along the open grass, flushing any geese there may be (there were not any the day I took the camera).
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3034Small.jpg
Reed grasses have also appeared since March.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3035Small.jpg
I’ve never seen these yellow flowers before. There are many on a branch, they aren’t petals but more like oblong balls! Very tiny.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3036Small.jpg
Since this is where the geese hang out, they poop their green “tootsie rolls” all over the area. This is what is looks like after it is smushed:
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3037Small.jpg
By Tasha! (the photos of her I took on the walk, I still had the zoom on, you couldn’t see a thing, just blurs. So I had to take her photos again at home before her bath.)
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3055Small.jpg
It is necessary to get some under your ears.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3058Small.jpg
She missed one side, and wants to return. NO!
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3057Small.jpg
Going to return to the car soon . . . .
Freedom
06-03-2010, 04:36 PM
We cut back to the field to return to the car. Marlin knows the way now!
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3043Small.jpg
Back into the wall of grasses.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3044Small.jpg
Sugar: “Which way, Mum?”
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3046Small.jpg
There is a main path on the right. We took that regularly for over a month. Then one day I took the less used left path. Marlin is very rigid in his routines; HE went on the right hand path! I kept calling to him and eventually he came bounding THROUGH THE GRASSES! He he heee. I pulled that a second time a few days later. Marlin just kept on going on HIS path, and met us up at the car.
Marlin knows the way and strides out:
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3048Small.jpg
Sugar goes ahead as well.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3049Small.jpg
Purple flower
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3052Small.jpg
I just get such a kick out of watching fluffs “bounce” as they walk!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83DtAgKO4-I
Off they go, around the final turn and to the car.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q57/sfsamm/2010/June%203%20farm%20walk%20late%20spring/IMG_3054Small.jpg
Thank you for joining us yet again on our walkies!
MonicanHonda
06-03-2010, 05:38 PM
Wow, everything got so green! I just love summer time. Everything is so much more prettier. It really looks like a lot of fun! What an awesome walking place. :)
Freedom
06-03-2010, 09:41 PM
Thanks, Monica! We are enjoying it.
Funny thing. We see other folk and thir dogs are running here, sniin there, dashin through the grass. My crew stay fairly close to . . . ME! Everyone we meet there comments on it, he hee. They are surprised, as they get closer, to see I have all off leash.
chocolatepuppy
06-03-2010, 09:55 PM
What a nice place to walk your dogs!:D
Freedom
06-04-2010, 01:54 PM
Yes, it really is. I can't believe it took me THREE YEARS to find this, and it is less than 3 miles from home, he hee.
Karen
06-04-2010, 02:07 PM
The "little yellow flowers" in the first picture you labeled as such are cinq foil - "five petal" in French. The purple flowers are vetch, which is poisonous to cows. What an adventure for the fluffs!
Freedom
06-04-2010, 02:27 PM
Hey, thank you Karen!
Wow, I know there was one field, I haven't included a photo of it, they said they had something "bad" in there and had to harvest and burn and entire crop. Perhaps that was the vetch. The one plant I saw and photographed was close to the area mentioned.
I find I "observe" Nature so much more since having dogs in my life (again).
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