Our Farm Walk, 2 months later; photo heavy

[Freedom]

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/showthre...hlight=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/q...llRoutemap.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!



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


My diva dog, Sugar, sits and waits for instructions.


While Lacey gives a hop over a little grass clump.


The entry way always has lots of good smells; most dogs get out of their car and “go” right at the start, lol.


“I don’t think this is the right way, Mum!” - Marlin




Stand by, more photos coming!

[Freedom]

Volunteers from the conservation group come through and maintain the paths for public use.


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.


There are still good smells on either side, and not just from other dogs!


But even adventurous Tasha doesn’t go in too deep before backing out and coming after me.


We had to stop and wait for Lacey to catch up, she found a REALLY good smell to sniff!


Looking across to the houses, their backyards are much more private now.


There was a nice breeze, and the grasses were flowing.


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!


Lots more to come!

[Freedom]

Tasha (front to back), Sugar, Marlin, Lacey.


They don’t normally walk single file, so Sugar tries a pass.


Adventurous Tasha is not interested in giving up the lead, so she veers off into grass . . .


And finds the open field, lol!




Tasha cuts back in – ahead of ME as well!


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.


It is not really ALL grass! There are clumps of clover as well.


Marlin and Lacey emerge from the path with walls of grass, into the area with short grass due to the prior flood.


More walkies pics on the way.

[Freedom]

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).


Smiley face Tasha shows you large purple clover, smaller white clover, and a yellow flower.


The flooded area didn’t recover well; the farmer will need to reseed it.


Another shot of the wild roses; I have some in my backyard at home as well.


The little yellow flowers grow low to the ground.


Tasha and Marlin head back into an overgrown area.


I think these are called Michealmas Daisies.


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!


A close up of the wild roses.


Isn't this walk fun? Stand by, will show you some more.

[Freedom]

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!


Marlin and Tasha pause to cool down in the shade.


The canopy is so dense, my camera turned on the automatic flash for this photo!


So I shut off the flash for this one.


Tasha, Sugar, Marlin and Lacey.


Beautiful ferns have sprouted in the undergrowth!




Tasha: “something has been through here!” (She missed the rabbit, te hee)


“What IS that smell from?” (Tasha has not yet seen a rabbit, so the scent it unfamiliar to her.)


There is still more to see, coming right up.

[Freedom]

Cool path through the woods, under dense canopy.


The leaves cut the sight lines down a lot compared to what we could see in March.


And you can’t see the reservoir as easily now, either!


I had to find a gap in the trees.


See the ripples? Those are from the breeze, as the current is actually in the opposite direction.


Water lilies have appeared along the edge.


Back out into the open (and the hot sun!) along the reservoir.