Thursday, February 17, 2022

^{(“Cold Moon” phase is “Waning Gibbous”; March’s fullest, the “Worm Moon,” rises 3/18.)}

In yesterday’s early evening, I left my horses eating in their stalls, and after packing a few eats and cameras, drove east to the nearby community of Alfalfa. I parked in a spot offering a clear view toward the horizon and settled in with my faux dinner to wait for February’s fullest moon to rise.

As the moment neared, I found a place to stand, viewing the horizon through my cameras. I adjusted them, wishing to capture the darkened horizon’s earliest interruption by light from the about-to-rise “Cold Moon.”

The moon didn’t rise precisely where I anticipated, but the corner of my eye caught its light. I shifted my camera and began snapping the shutter.

The instant of breaking light warms and excites uniquely. That earliest light is stunning, too brief. One must prepare for it.

A rising moon quickly brightens begins escaping what initially seems an almost-hold to Earth.

Just then, a passing driver stopped his car and, smiling big gave me a thumbs-up. He said, “Like you, I saw it, stopped, had to take a picture!”

Perfect strangers sharing a moment of spontaneous joy and warmth.

That’s an example of how much moons can trigger human imaginations and emotions. An easy example is Shakespeare’s works, filled with references to moons and feelings. I can’t help wondering if we’d have equal urges and abilities to write meaningful poetry and fiction without at least being somewhat compelled by our lighted little planet.

On upward, it goes.

In last evening’s clear sky, the moonrise was straightforward, and the uninterrupted full moon above farmers’ fields was stunning. Seeing and capturing were breathtaking.

On a February evening, as if a full moon weren’t delightful enough, a nearby farmhouse strung with Christmas lights glittered cherrfully, giving me second thoughts about having disconnected mine.

I drove back west toward town while seeing structures and mountains highlighted by the setting sun’s alpenglow.

T’was a lovely evening.

It’s a distant sight, but that’s Cold Moon way high above my shoulder. It’s escaped Earth’s “hold.”

Dear Friends: The monthly fullest moonrises beckon all to look, feel, enjoy. Diana

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

^{(Moon phase is “full,” and this evening the complete February “Snow Moon” will rise.)}

Last night’s moon, not yet quite full, was gorgeous. I might not capture a more pleasing image tonight, although the moon will be in full phase or entirely lit by sunlight. A moon in full phase equates to a one-night wonder. That’s because the very next night’s still-visually full moon actually won’t be full but reflecting less sunlight and beginning the waning phase.

My moon-chasing buddy over months past has another commitment, so this evening I’ll be out east and on my own to capture this moon. Its rise above a dark horizon (if the clouds cooperate) could be dramatic and powerful. Photos of tonight’s moonrise will complete a year’s worth of such images. They’re to become fodder for a separate public interest article.

Thoughts of writing a standalone article expand my writing goals. I’ve enjoyed blogging as a way of processing activities and ideas. It’s a platform that enables communicating with specificity (after forcing me to learn writing with clarity). Besides that planned moon article, I’ve begun to draft another utterly separate article.

It will be more of the story behind that amazing aviary I wrote about recently. Its creator, Lisa, and I will meet soon, and I’ll learn some whys and hows doing with creating her wonderful space. The aviary story will include photos, and a logical publisher for it might be “Sunset Magazine” or AARP’s magazine. Maybe, but because Lisa’s story and achievements are remarkable, the article will be submitted to various publications.

My ideas go on and on, but this morning is short with time running out. Other needs await.

Dear Friends: Hoping for accommodating skies tonight and new writings ahead. Diana

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

^{(Moon phase is Waxing Gibbous; February’s “Snow Moon” rises fullest tomorrow evening.)}

The common names of Earth’s fullest monthly moons trigger my energy and imagination. My mind playing with February’s ” Snow Moon” ups visions of landscapes. Those mind-lands are country-like, stretched-out, and Snow Moon is tinting everything bluish-white. I yearn to don warm boots and go roaming. I want to fall into blue-like snow and roll. My joy is absolutely primitive; it’s a human response to the first light penetrating a dark sky from time immemorial.

My vision isn’t entirely from imagination. Over the past year and monthly, I’ve felt these emotions in real-time after waiting beyond city lights and in darkness, and seeing fullest moons rise above nearly invisible horizons. Those breakings of night-times make me joyous, make me wish to dance. The considerable significance of natural light on our human senses is that it reduces caution. Elevating hope triggers sheer joy.

Tomorrow’s weather might be cloudy when Snow Moon breaks the horizon. I’ll be waiting for the moment of rising with a camera, and hoping for unobstructed viewing. Beautiful new light will appear, regardless of the weather, and revive that intense delight shared by humans for millions of years.

Dear Friends: So much available to be experienced invites us all! Diana

Monday, February 14, 2022

^{(Moon phase is Waxing Gibbous; February’s “Snow Moon” rises fullest on 16th.)}

I recently adopted two heritage turkey hens. They’re in a coop mingling among goats and chickens and follow me everywhere when I’m visiting there. I enjoy hearing their constant turkey chatters in tones soothing and often punctuated by gentle whistling. They’re cautious, alert, and make sounds signaling an alarm when frightened.

Their constant following me has raised musings about whether they’re imprinted on humans. I’ve begun wondering if they’d follow me with the same dedication even outside the coop. It’s too early to test that notion. First, because they’re newly introduced to this property, and second, because I’ve no failproof way of recapturing both if my experiment fails.

I enjoy the notion that these two might be imprinted on humans. That occurs the instant an infant sees its first living being after hatching. If it sights a human, perhaps also handling and speaking to the newborn, a fowl assumes that’s the parent, immediately becomes attached, and imprints on humans.

This turkey’s adoring expression suggests she might follow me anywhere. On a very summerlike day, I’ll test my theory by inviting her and her sister out for a stroll beyond the coop. Naturally, that’ll be impossible if I’m incapable of rounding them up in open spaces. For unless they’re imprinted to follow a human, they quickly might scatter.

Dear Friends: They’re reminders of the old days and classroom psychology studies. Diana

Saturday, February 12, 2022

^{(Moon phase is Waxing Gibbous; February’s “Snow Moon” rises fullest on 16th.)}

Early yesterday morning, bright light from a beautiful, nearly-full, setting moon awakened me. I arose and, once on my feet, whistled for the dogs. They were ready, followed me to the door, and I followed them outside. Oh, that lopsided moon!

This moon is waxing gibbous. Waxing means “getting bigger” as the moon’s lit-up part grows from 50% to 100%. The root word of gibbous means humped-back and refers to a waxing moon’s oval-to-round shape. This phase always makes me want to stretch and reach way up to hug that moon.

Notions of waxing and growing are reminders of yesterday in Lisa’s aviary. Several perfect photos from my secondary zoom camera refer to waxing and growing. Think of all the potential captured in this close-up of Lisa’s infant hours-old canaries.

More about potential, in this very close-up of a tiny mom-to-be in her brooding phase.

For fun, here’s a couple of adorable Japanese quail. They grow to about the size of a human hand!

And more fun from my zoom camera in this excellent image of one of Lisa’s purchased chicken feeders. Hanging in the air, it’s transformed into an aviary feeder.

Dear Friends: Waxing and getting bigger is also about growing, learning, loving. Diana

Saturday, February 12, 2022

^{(Moon phase is Waxing Crescent; February’s “Snow Moon” rises fullest on 16th.)}

Lisa and I met as I checked her out in my work of cashiering. She spoke of having a large aviary that houses many finches and canaries, some of which are exotic. She invited me to visit, and yesterday on a beautiful morning, I grabbed a camera, revved my vintage Jeep, and headed to Bear Creek Road. I had to drive way east to find her acreage and even farther than I imagined Bear Creek to stretch.

The country out there is beautiful. So is Lisa’s aviary. Almost indescribable were my surprise and joy upon accepting her invitation to enter a stand-alone wooden structure. I’ve been aware of spatial arrangements and orientations relative to energy flow, known as Feng Shui, and in Lisa’s aviary, found myself precisely in such an environment.

The spacious, gorgeous interior has colorful plants and creative lighting.

Each side of a center walkway features several large aviaries. Flitting around in some are colorful busy finches and in others bright and equally-busy singing canaries.

These birds are feeding from a chicken-feeder trough which Lisa purchases from our store. I like this capture lots.

She can open windows in each aviary in warm weather to allow birds outside freedom. The external aviaries receive lots of natural light and are populated with feeders, plants, and trees. She opened some windows, and birds happily took flight and resettled outside.

If indeed those small birds do much settling. They’re busy, hopping, feeding, bathing, and delightfully picturing health and wellness. Here are some of the adorable tiny Japanese Quail that populate the aviary floors.

Lisa is an avid horseperson. After losing a beloved horse, she began creating her aviary. Over about three years, she turned loss and sadness into creativity. Inside her structure, she loves watching birds and hearing canaries sing. She works on a center table and has a sink.

The comfortable seating allows relaxation among the birds. A pellet stove offsets cold weather, and if she wishes, a sound system lets her listen to music.

My photos don’t do justice to this unique environment. We discussed my returning and learning more about the aviary’s back story and development. I’d enjoy writing an article detailing more and better Lisa’s outstanding achievement.

By the way, and equally important, she’s working with an adopted young dog, Mitzi. She and this energetic pup are being schooled in agility. Mitzi arrived to Lisa from Mexico via the wonderful Street Dog Rescue organization.

I want to add that none of these photos have been edited or trimmed at all. There’s simply not a spot unworthy of capture and enjoyment in Lisa’s Zen Aviary.

Dear Friends: This reawakening to beauty fueled my energy through the day. Diana

Friday, February 11, 2022

^{(Moon phase is Waxing Crescent; February’s “Snow Moon” rises fullest on 16th.)}

Recently, a customer checking out at my register bought a length of half-pipe made of lightweight metal. When I asked what it was designed for, she said it’s a long feeder for numerous chickens. She intended to hang it in her finch aviary.

She held up the scooped channel and showed me some hanging brackets. Hung correctly, it would allow her birds to feed collectively. Its depth would limit seed spilling.

How many finches? She said, “I have over eighty; some are exotic.”

Well, there it happens. A bird-person meets another bird-person.

Today, I’ll visit her place before going to work. I will see her aviary, meet her birds, and take pictures. If I capture a cool aviary showing the feeder and birds, I’ll request permission from the customer and my managers to submit the photo to our store’s home office.

Each company store has a lunchroom with a video setup. A wall shows a continuously rolling display of photos highlighting various stores and taken by employees. No photos are showing that represent Bend’s store. If I capture an image of the chicken trough purchased from our store, hung with finches perching and feeding, that might fit the bill.

Dear Friends: This morning, I’ll be perched and trying to see creatively. Diana

Thursday, February 10, 2022

^{(Moon phase is Waxing Crescent; February’s “Snow Moon” rises fullest on 16th.)}

Right now, temperatures in the sixties and seventies are creating wonderful warm days. We in the Northwest love this weather but worry about inadequate moisture. Our water bills are rising along with the ever-increasing prices and growing scarcity of agricultural products. I must locate enough grass hay this summer to feed my equines for another year and afford it, hopefully.

Worries aside, this is horseback riding weather. Friends who ride ask me to join them, but my work schedule interferes with a freedom to play, at least, playing outdoors. Otherwise, it’s fun working at the job of caring for and selling baby chickens.

Yesterday, a woman entered the store leading a hound dog. I stared at him, an exact duplicate of my hound, Ranger, even an identical spotted neck and legs. She said that her dog is eleven years old, and so is my Ranger. She said that someone in her family got him in trade as a pup for a six-pack of beer.

Ranger’s story is similar. He showed up on my street as a whimpering months’ old stray. In response to my advertisement of a lost puppy, a woman called. She said he was from a litter her husband had handed out in front of a local supermarket. Maybe, but I’d never return a found animal to such people. No one else called, and so “Ranger” became mine.

I chatted with the customer about our hound dogs. To me, besides looking precisely alike, it appears they’re also very similar in temperament, dependability, and devotion. We concluded that once upon a time, these two likely were littermates. Lucky pups, both.

Dear Friends: Last evening, I hugged my Ranger extra. Diana

Wednesday, February 09, 2022

^{(Moon phase is Waxing Crescent; February’s “Snow Moon” rises fullest on 16th.)}

My heritage turkey hens, finally released from confinement, are doing well. At first, both turkeys followed me closely, were curious about everything they saw, and stayed near. I roamed the coop as the original flock ignored us.

These are beautiful heritage turkeys, about seven months old, and very sweet. They tolerate being petted and picked up. Each probably weighs fifteen-to-twenty pounds. I couldn’t lift one unless assisted by an adrenaline rush.

Also newly released were the turkeys’ two buddy chickens. They’re Rhode Island Reds, eastern versions. Their colors vary from our western darker-Reds. This capture after release shows the newbies, one gray and the other a mottled-red.

I left the coop for several hours to attend zoom meetings at work and returned to find all birds getting along. There were periodic conflicts between my big Cuckoo-Maran Rooster and the gray Red he wanted to woo. Facing him and fighting mightily, she repeatedly deflected his attentions. Good going, Rhode Island Red!

As a note, while selling chicks at work, I’ve learned that Reds highly are popular. Many keeping them have opinions, saying they’re great layers of beautiful eggs, and often like me, seeing them as slightly stand-offish and a little too-smart.

It’s all fun!

Dear Friends: Our chick sales will continue through September! I’ll learn lots. Diana

Tuesday, February 08, 2022

_{(Moon phase is Waxing Crescent; February’s “Snow Moon” rises fullest on 16th.)}

Three weeks have passed since I adopted two hen turkeys and their two buddy chickens. They’ve been kenneled inside the larger chicken area to acquaint all the birds. My twin dwarf goats living among the chickens now also know the newbies. Today, I will release the turkeys and their chicken mates into the larger flock and goats.

I will observe the integration process, hoping all goes well. I’ll also enlarge a couple of the “in and out” openings to feed areas,” providing access for big turkeys while keeping them too small for goats.

I’ll leave the integration fencing and weather protection that have accommodated the new birds. The setup will house my brooder babies when they’re fully feathered and ready to join the outside flock. That way, they’ll meet the larger fowl and goat community over several weeks.

So, today’s a big one at Eight Pines Ranch. It’s about freeing the new birds and seeing if they’ve integrated well among the existing flock. It’s a teaching day, for reassurance that my little baby chicks can follow the same process.

Dear Friends: The babies are growing quickly and need a larger brooder. Diana