Eaglettes in Iowa!!!

Live streaming of eaglettes, again, this time in Decorah, Iowa. Here is some more info on them:

First hatch 4/2/11.
24-hour collage of first egg pip and hatch
Second hatch 4/3/11.
First glimpse of second hatchling
Third hatch 4/6/11.
Close-ups of the third hatch

Enjoy!!! --LKR


Broadcasting Live with Ustream.TV

There is also a live cam in NJ at the same site that I had posted last year, too.

Raccoon in the Road!

Look at this little darling! Poor little girl was seen in the middle of the road, late one night, and then cowering in a damp ditch the next. I'm happy to say I've learned this three week old little sweetheart now is in good hands (literally!), and getting the proper nutrition, shelter, and love any coon would crave! --LKR

Cow Calving!

Last night, I had the opportunity to watch one of our friend's cows give birth. Below are pictures of the happy occasion!

A blue sack comes before the white sack that contiains the calf

Front hoofs

Yup, that's the calf's tongue!

Mom cleans her baby (a male) while her neighbor smiles approvingly!

Good job, Mom! --LKR

Rescued Raccoons

Young Raccoons Saved from Pepsi Machine @ Yahoo! Video

A New Feline in the Family!

Hi! It's me, Mister Poochie!

I have some really exciting news, I do, I do! I have a new little brother! And he likes me, he does! He really does!

Isn't he cute? His name is Toby. My sibling Elizabeth named him, she did.

Toby was born on a friend's alpaca farm. He was used to having big friendly noses sniff sniff sniffing him in the face, Mom said. So my smaller muzzle doesn't scare him, yeay!

Toby shares a room with Elizabeth and keeps her up at night, just like any baby would, Mom says. Alpha says it's pay back time, he does, whatever that means.

My oldest sister Rocky Kitty Kitty doesn't mind this little white tornado. She doesn't mind, that is, until Toby gets too close too fast. Then she hiss hiss hisses for him to back off, she does. Then everything is fine in her purrfect little world.

My siblings William and Hannah love playing with and spoiling Toby, too. And everyone just loves it when he falls asleep in their arms. Alpha likes to have his time with Toby, as well, and calls him his cat. --Mister Poochie

Feeding Baby Blue Bird

Dad! Dad! Over here!!!

Isn't this sweet? Daddy Bluebird is feeding junior a fuzzy, mouthwatering caterpillar! Nummy! Both parents share the task of feeding their three to six offspring.

Every 15 to 20 minutes, mom and dad feed each baby caterpillars, mealworms, spiders, grasshoppers, beetles, or even berries that are in season. Like most species of birds, they are dedicated parents with a demanding job!!!This baby might be as large as it's parent, but an easy way to tell it's a young one is by the white ring around each eye, and the spotted breast. This little dude will soon be foraging for himself.

Bluebirds are very clean animals, tossing bird turds, and the shells--after their darlings have hatched!--far away from the nesting site. As is the case in most species, the male is brightly colored, while the female dons duller, bluish-gray feathers. --LKR

Below is a cute little poem by Mariam Kirby:

In summer, juicy insects crawl
On leaves and through the grass.
I feast on bugs until late fall
Then catch them less and less.
Soon winter comes with snow and ice
And winds all in a flurry.
The bugs are gone, but in their place,
a berry February!

Shedded Snake Skin

Jake our fox snake shed his skin, today!!! This is always so exciting because it lets us know he's growing and doing well! I'll liken it to all those well-baby visits us moms--and dads--have gone on with a new baby where we've seen our children's growth on charts.

Snakes are still relatively new to our family--at least as pets. And, Jake is still a new baby to me. Kind of like a first-born, too, since he's of a different species!

It's not quite the same, but reminds me how fascinating it was--and still really is--to watch our caterpillars molt (shed their skin) or pupate (shed their skin for the last time revealing their chrysalis). This said after rearing literally thousands of butterflies for well over a decade. It just never gets old, and it'll probably be the same with Jake! --LKR

Jake will be shedding his skin, soon. Notice the dull coloration of his body and cloudy eyes.

These wide scales are from his belly.
Can you see the face--the jaw and eyes? It's very important to make sure that the eye scales are accounted for. If they are still on the eye(s), care must be taken in removing them so the snake can see and no other problems occur.