FOWL VOGUE
LET’S look at that picture again. I knew these birds would be photogenic but they are beautiful.
This image reminds me of an old vogue cover I once saw, all the models in a tableaux with soft light and perfect expressions of disdainful distance from the proceedings.
I have to be careful though, as they take fright at my appearance unless I move very carefully and slowly. But yesterday when I was taking to my guests on our farm tour, we were all standing next to their tub, I noticed that after a while they began to respond when they heard my voice taking its turn in the conversation. Their black bird eyes would lift in unison, their heads would tip on the side to look up with one eye then they would all lean into the sounds of my voice. Like the bubble of a cockle as a small wave recedes across the beach. The intention of a surge. When I stopped making words they would tuck their heads back in again.
The Khaki Campbell ducks are not known to be over friendly, I think they are more of a working duck, but I found this recognition from these little birds really uplifting. This connection across species.
These pigs spent most of yesterday sleeping. Not being used to having so much space, they kept to their little house. They came out to eat though and have established a toilet on the other side of their field which must be a relief. Later in the evening I could hear them playing with one of their old barrel toys so that was a good sign.
Poppy started throwing her bowls around yesterday so I got her playground semi-baby-proof, blocked all the holes I could find and let her and the piglets out to play. (Now we get ready for escapees). Within minutes of the big gate opening they were all out there digging in the soil. Then she lay down and fed them in the sun. It is such good soil out there too but never gets long enough to grow a decent pig pasture. This year I will plant trees along the border.
I will get going early this morning. Yesterday I ran out of time in the afternoon. I blame egg deliveries and having to drive out to buy the seed. Anytime I leave the property I feel like I lose hours.
We will sow the new field this morning. Hay grasses and oats. Two acres.
I hope you have a lovely day.
celi
WEATHER: Cloudy but warmer.
Saturday 04/21 0% / 0 in
Generally cloudy. High 57F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph.
Saturday Night 04/21 0% / 0 in
Cloudy skies. Low 39F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
Sun
6:04 AM 7:39 PM
Moon
Waxing Crescent, 34% visible 10:44 AM 12:49 AM
54 Comments on “FOWL VOGUE”
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thekitchensgarden 
Are the ducks for food, sale or eggs?
Eggs- I am hoping to build a market for duck eggs.
I love ducks, they are really fun entertainment, their behaviors so cute to watch…but the foxes were too persistent so I had to give them up. I am sure with Boo & Ton you will have better luck.
Bad luck with the foxes. The only good thing about the cleared fields out here – these terrible open spaces is there are less predators – nowhere for them to hide.
They are beautiful! And you’re right, they are as elegant and aloof as supermodels, and that splash of red on the tips of their beaks is like a tiny dab of lippy 🙂
Yes! I had not thought of that
My parents’ ducklings were inquisitive and became quite tame with human contact. I could pick them up and they’d come to the bars to be fed lettuce and nibble my fingers.
That sounds so sweet. This will be an interesting time – seeing what they do.
You may not have time, but if you do, I think sitting in there with them, like you do with the pigs might do it. I found them to be more inquisitive and personable than chicken (though chicken have their friendly moments).
Yes. You are right about the time thing – I try to pause and talk a lot when I am in there
All of these photos are lovely. I laid on the front yard Bermuda grass the other day and just soaked up the sun while I had the dogs out to play. It was glorious.
Oh yes! That sounds wonderful
Damnit, you don’t have any snow on the ground. 🙂 What’s this about sowing seeds, will the pain never stop 😉
Sorry. Are you still deep in snow?
Hang in there Pete! Those drifts of damnable ice pellets are going down fast and by the looks of it we’ve – all of us from Lake Ontario right on up to Apsley have double-digit temps for the foreseeable future, AND full sun for four days in a row… Can you believe it?
Like flowers, the animals and people turn their faces to the sun and soak it up.
‘Twas a beautiful day for Float Your Fanny, Lisa; )
The sun is a game changer!
Sorry Celi, here’s a little back-story on my comment to Lisa in Port Hope (home of the Float Your Fanny River Race: http://www.floatyourfanny.ca/latest-news/)
Khaki has never been so pretty 🤗 Laura
They are getting darker by the day! So wooly looking today.
All the babies doing baby things. Great way to start my day. Glad you had a bit of sun. I’m with you on leaving the house. It’s like the whole day is shot to hell if I have to go out so I try to do everything in one go and not do it again until absolutely necessary. Exhausting too, more than the work at home. I’d bet those ducklings would bond with you like you were a mama duck. 😉
I also HATE spending money on STUFF. So shopping makes me anxious.
Such beautiful fine babies, Miss C. And such excellent mothers. Animal and human.
Oh I wish you were round the corner- I think the girls might like the little animals.
I feel the same way whenever I have to leave the farm. Whole hours seems like they disappear. It’s so weird.
It is like we enter a different time zone all together.
Trees by the edge of the pig’s playpen-field sounds dreamy! Those ducklings sure are sweet looking. I do so love my daily visits to the farmy, Celi, so thank you again for blogging!
You are very welcome- it is my pleasure.
You are the Farmy Whisperer and that photo proves it!
It is a great shot – I might print it and frame it!
So good that the little darlings are already responding to your voice… They all recognise the Animal Whisperer in you, Celi: )
I wish I could spend more time raising them but I think they will be alright – they just need to be herdable for putting to bed in the evenings
Knowing how much time you spend with all of your animals, I have no doubt. Heck, they’d already bonded to the sound of your voice in what, 24 hours? No worries, with you it’ll happen by osmosis; )
My late father would have loved living on your farm … the ducklings would get snuggled, the piggies petted and the hens greeted with friendly comments on the weather, the shine on their feathers and queries on the location of newly laid eggs. My mother, would have done most of the actual work in egg gathering, feeding etc so she’d be more efficient in dealing with the animals while she had a ton of things to do in the house. Eventually my dad would have gotten around to the tree planting etc. 🙂
That does sound like he would have loved it. Beautifully written comment too! Thank you.
OOOH! AWWWW! What a joyous place to be!
Lots going on now!
Why have those hogs never been outside???
Most show hogs are raised in special hog buildings in small pens.
Well that’s a shame, I’m glad they found you!
Lifting my glass to the new field. Cheers!
“… Despite popular misconceptions of skittish or flightly behavior Campbells are a very gentle, passive and friendly breed when raised by hand until maturity… ” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khaki_Campbell
They’re like a brown variation of Mallards, Celi? I can barely wait to see them all grown up… (Meanwhile these sweet little fuzzies are SO darn cute!: )
Yes- I have spent time on the internet researching them too.
I know next to nothing about “domestic” duck breeds; but we had Mallards when I was a kid and they hold many sweet memories: )
Beautiful pictures of the ducks. When you described the ducks reactions when you spoke I was reminded of the Bible verse from John 10: “My sheep know my voice, and I know them. They follow me” All your animals know your voice.
That is a lovely verse – thank you.
your voice is imprinted and soon your face will be also!
Hopefully they stay with me – I would hate them to scatter and fly away when they finally come out into the fields
I am rather fond of ducks. I would enjoy seeing them hatch and grow so.
My three KCs come when I call them. You will find the ducks identify strongly with you as their care giver. As you have discovered, they already recognize you. KCs actually love company but…no touching! They are very skittish and will dart away when approached, even by their caregiver. At the same time, they will follow you around the yard like puppies, especially if you are turning over rocks so they can look for bugs! KCs are a mixed breed, a combo of mallards, Indian runners and Rouen. I’ve always felt their stand-offishness was largely due to a remainder of wild protective instinct.
Those soft browns are so lovely. I hadn’t remembered the orange beans, though. I think it will be fun if you get at least one male. It’s so interesting to see how they develop differently and change colors.
I shared some duck eggs the other day with our Vietnamese neighbors. I wonder if they liked them.
Wonderful images Celi .. and you are so right, those ducklings are beautiful