Daffodils in January.  A lone coot who thinks he’s a goose. Apple blossoms….in January.

Jumbled up.  My friend says, “If it’s Monday, it’s Thursday.”  Following that thought…”If it’s a coot, it’s a goose.” “If it’s oranges, it’s apples.” ” If it’s winter, it’s spring.”

Well, it is back to feeling like winter today, maybe the apples are safe for now.  I missed North Alabama apples 2 or 3 years ago when the apple crop was wiped out by a frost.

These guys have been hanging around our place for a few  months.  Fun to watch.  I am a bit confounded as to their identity.  Bill isn’t long enough for anhinga, or cormorant.  Looks like a type of grebe to me, but doesn’t quite fit looks of any in my guides.  Hard to get a close look at them.

I found this story interesting.  I am conflicted with my own chickens.  When I tire of their messes, off they go to the lock up.  It’s a nice lock up, mind you.  Decent size chicken house and pen area which is somewhat roomy.  But I always feel guilty seeing them gazing past the wire, to the green grass and freedom.  Nothing is happier than a chicken given its freedom.  So, I open the pen door and they live a happy life until once again, I tire of the byproduct of free range chickens.

Coop D’Etat: Farmers, Humane Society Partner On Chicken-Cage Revolution

Farmers Take Back Land Slated For Housing : NPR