French Crab Apple tree ~

As you know, the Cherry tree DH planted in this area, died last year due to the hail storm with the fist sized hail.

This is the free replacement tree I ended up with.

Supposed to be a very hardy Crab Apple tree,  

Is called the, French Everest.

Should be pretty, in the future provide shade for the hen house yard and treats for the chickens.

The Hills in VA ~

Click on the photos to see a larger version.

We decided to take a break yesterday and drive up to the Hills...

Got up to 3,600ft if I remember correctly.

Was really nice to be up in some hills...

Even saw some stone and rocks! 

...Even if the trees look really weird. LOL 

Felt like I was in an Anne McCaffery novel.

Another panoramic view... 

think this is the best way to show the scale...

Not very many flowers here, but DH took a photo of one.

Tons of bugs... and they all liked me. :P

Only two picnic areas in this stretch.... 

which kind'a surprised me..

Used to the Pacific NW,, where there are tons of nice areas for picnics.
And, not so many people.

d'Anver Chicks ~

Slowly adding to the latest 

Belgian d'Anver, batch of chicks.

In Lavender, Quail, Blue Quail... 

...and I am not sure what this one is supposed to be.. n

ever seen a Quail color in yellow.

The Yellow one hatched out about 10am this morning and not quite fluffed up yet.

Did get the first batch moved out to the Bantam shed,  and they are really happy with all the free room. LOL   

Chick party anyone!

Will get photos of the ones in the bantam shed in the next day or two.

Going to need another Hen house soon.

More Bantam Chick photos ~

More cute chick photos ! 

The older ones, have full wing feathers,, the slightly younger ones are getting there.

And the can fly.... makes it real fun when I clean their brooder out.

As soon as their body feathers come in, they will be moved out to the Bantam shed.

They love Meal-worm treats. You scream, I scream, we all scream for...... meal-worms. LOL

Dust Bath ~

More Chick photos ~

Baby chicks are growing fast!

 I got the chicks moved over to Nari's side of the house, using a double carrier arrangement.

Nari will have to live in the garage but it will only be for a couple of weeks. 

Not to worried about Nari and the heat, since she has been outside most of the days lately.

Doubled the chicks living space. 

Put a window screen over the top to keep them from 

popping out.

My lavenders and a d'Anver Millie Fleur.

Another d'Anver Millie Fleur, 2 Quail d'Anvers and

 one of my Lavenders.

Lavenders and one Quail.

Well, are you going to feed me or not?

This is the last of this batch of chicks to hatch out.
Is a Ameraucana chick, only one to hatch.

Has a couple of weeks of wing growth before it catches up with the earlier chicks.

Dog Wood~

DH's  Dog Wood tree is doing really well.  

Best set of blooms since we planted it.

As it gets taller, will make a nice back drop to the 

hen house and hen house yard.

Rose Bushes ~

Two of the Roses made it though the bitter winter winds.

One is on its own set of Roots.... and the other is snuggled against the house, later was a cheap $5.00 rose, to use as a test.

Is a major challenge to grow Roses here.

Have a climbing Rose I want to grow along the hen house fence... I think I am going to put it near the base of one of the Leylands... to help with winter protection. Will need to find some burlap, to put over the canes.