Snowstorm slideshow

Join us now for a tour around Busy Solitude Farm as we wake up to the results of the year's first blizzard.

Morning has Broken, 7

Blizzardy Solitude

White roosters -- or are they?

This is White Rooster #3.  You'll remember that first we had Spot, then White Rooster #2, and now a third.  None of the white birds is a girl, drat.  I think they're just beautiful and I really wanted a sweet white girl.  But no such luck, and they're kind of skittery, not cuddly at all.

I was watching them this morning and realized an interesting thing about their color.  They're not actually white!

This is #2.  Look at the feathers on his neck and back.

You can see it here even better.  And if I make these photos a bit larger...

You can see that he's got dilute stripes!  The pattern of a Cuckoo Marans (see below photo of Chick-Chuck and Eggy Jr.), but with the color diluted.  In the right light, the stripes glow golden on top of the white background.

I am enchanted!  But there are still too many roosters.

The end.

New Year's Contest!

 

SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM WHERE I ANNOUNCE THE WINNER!

The new year is beginning, and what better way to enjoy it than to follow it with "A Year at Busy Solitude Farm"?!  I made these calendars for family and friends, and now I invite any reader interested in having one to participate in our Calendar Contest.  Entries close at 11:59 pm on Friday, January 7, and I'll give one away on January 8.  Come back here to find out who won!

Enter now by commenting on this blog entry (no, don't post on Facebook, it won't count!).  Tell me what story this past year you remember most, or who your favorite Busy Solitude critter is.  Or just say "I want to win a calendar"!  **Don't forget to sign your post, or I won't know how to tell you you've won!!**  To be honest, I'm not sure how I'll pick the winner.  Other blogs do it randomly, but sometimes when I enter I think "my entry is the best, what does a random picker know?"  But I'll definitely be mailing a calendar out to some lucky reader in a week or so!

Here are just a few months to whet your appetite!  Good luck, and happy new year!

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

I broke down and used a random number generator.  You all are too nice, and I liked everyone's comments and enjoyed seeing what you remember from 2010 at Busy Solitude Farm.

So without further ado, comment number 18, TONY is the winner!  Please e-mail me privately at johanna119@sbcglobal.net to give me your mailing address.  Congratulations!