Alayne got this shot the other day of another set of morning visitors -- deer that wander through early, before we let the dogs out. One of the many things we love about this new location is the abundance of wildlife on the property. A couple of evenings ago, when it was warm enough to sit outside on the back deck for a few minutes, we stepped out and immediately heard "gobble-gobble-gobble!" from wild turkeys just below the pond. I think it was a wild turkey "human alert!" going off. We sat for a bit and listened to their loud gobbling as they ambled through the trees and brush. We have flocks of these magnificent birds meandering through the apple orchards early in the morning and, as in this case, in the adjacent woods in the evening.
It's also suddenly frog season, and the pond has come alive at night with the croaking of I-don't-know-how-many frogs. It's almost deafening it's so loud. In an era when we keep hearing that frogs and other amphibians are disappearing around the globe, we like knowing our little pond provides a thriving habitat for so many.
In the photo behind the deer is an old chicken coop from the days when this was a farm many decades ago.
Both the deer and the wild turkeys are no doubt anxiously awaiting a fresh crop of apples -- but as you can see, we don't even have leaves on the trees yet!
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The current Shelter Challenge started on Monday, April 4th, and ends at midnight on Sunday, June 19th. Grand prize in this round is $5,000, plus $1,000 for weekly winners and $1,000 for state winners. There are also other categories ... please see the Shelter Challenge website for details.
And remember, you can vote every day, so consider bookmarking the voting page to make it easy.
You can vote in the Shelter Challenge here.
Please note: Use Rolling Dog Ranch for our name and NH for the state and our listing will come up.
Because of your votes, we won $1,000 as a weekly winner in the Shelter Challenge that ended in March. Please help us win more money for the animals here by voting every day, and by encouraging your family, friends and colleagues to vote every day, too. Thank you!
We just received your newsletter in the mail. Wonderful. It was great to see Katie, her whole little self. I am not sure I have seen her face b4. What a cutie pie she is!! (we usually only see her and her brother all snuggled up together, also cute) Thank you for sending the newsletter.
Posted by: Anne in FL | April 28, 2011 at 12:49 PM
We've been in Whitefield N.H. 10 years. We have 5 acres of property (80% heavily wooded) We've seen Black Bear (from Canada via Maine)Moose,White Tailed Deer, Red Foxes,Coyotte Wild Turkey,Rabbit,Snakes and a variety of insects up close and personal. Enjoy!
Posted by: Joseph Sackett | April 28, 2011 at 05:10 AM
Didn't the Easter Bunny come around? OMG, I thought twice before posting this, and it's done. Please, kill me...
Posted by: Mauro Salles | April 28, 2011 at 12:11 AM
I was really happy to read that you and Alayne love the new location in NH.
Since almost everything you write about is about the animals, I sometimes wondered if you missed Montana.
Posted by: Chloe | April 27, 2011 at 01:42 PM
What a beautiful place. Having the wildlife is truly an added bonus and I'm glad you guys enjoy it so much.
Thanks for sharing so many different aspects of life at RDR.
Posted by: Lisa K. from CA | April 27, 2011 at 12:43 PM
Cool. We live in rural SC and have nightly visitors too. They wander through the property about 11 every evening. We always know because our mini schnauzer puppy runs out to bark at them. She's such a threat.
We also have cicadas. Do you have them up north? Every 13 years or so they make an appearance and crank up the orchestra. The sound they make is just like the sound effects in those 1950s movies about space ships landing. It's an odd humming sound.
Posted by: Lynne Parker | April 27, 2011 at 10:51 AM
Not only the dogs, horses and a few cats you also have turkeys, deer, geese, ducks, frogs...Can I come live on your property?? RDR is a little slice of heaven on earth. You are so lucky. (any skunks?? maybe a new AnnieAndrew)
Posted by: Anne in FL | April 27, 2011 at 09:11 AM
It is very nice when you get to have different creatures stop by to visit. I'm sure the deer are anxiously awaiting the apples. Also, congratulations on receiving the grant as this week's winner in the shelter challenge. Every little but helps. And I've been wanting to ask, you were just joking when you said in an earlier post that you were going to change the name of the sanctuary to Rolling Dog Farm, weren't you? I hope so. You may be in New Hampshire, but you can still be a ranch!
Posted by: Barbara Ribinski | April 27, 2011 at 08:39 AM
In AZ have frogs or toads that are very toxic to animals. Chewing on or even just licking them is very toxic. I know Of one case that sent the dogs temperature soaring. They saved him but it was close. The reaction happens very quickly.
I know you will check into this and protect your guys. Also with the Spring thaw and warm sun the snakes come out.
Careful!!
Yeah for Lucy.
Did Alayne see the potato peeling video? It would save her so much time and work. No tools required.
Posted by: Marene&Ali | April 27, 2011 at 03:34 AM
How wonderful to be surrounded by all that beauty of nature every day! Sounds lovely to be able to sit out on the deck and really enjoy it :)
Posted by: Ann | April 27, 2011 at 02:05 AM
you live in such a beautifull place. The sights and sounds of the wildlife and the way you talk about your little pond and the frogs, I wish i was there to see and here all the beauty of the animals and the forest, you are so lucky to be there where it is pieceful and beautifull..Love to you both...
Posted by: Mickey Boutiette | April 27, 2011 at 01:13 AM
Lovely! You mean you two actually sat down for a minute--I don't believe it! :-)
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | April 26, 2011 at 11:04 PM
For you and the animals protection I hope your property is fenced and posted no hunting.
I'm sure it is but just want to be safe. It's a lot different there than it was out in Ovando.
Be safe everyone!
Posted by: Craig from Great Falls | April 26, 2011 at 10:40 PM
Peepers! They're a sure sign of spring! Glad you are liking NH.
Posted by: Darcie | April 26, 2011 at 08:18 PM