Orcas Island doesn't usually have sizeable snow events, but this January we've had a couple storms blow through that brought plenty of snow and ice. Martha, home from WSU for the holidays, took a meander around the farm with her camera.
Annie's always game to take a walk with you -- but you can see in her eyes that maybe the cozy couch is also feeling like a viable option.
Here's the view across Coffelt Preserve. Just before the tree line is the marsh. During the "atmospheric river" events, the marsh became more of a lake, which then froze. Last year we had time to do some ice-skating, but this year we were kept busy trying to keep everything else from freezing too!
The goats are not fans of snow, rain, or anything that gets their tender toes muddy. Here Hazel and Tammy contemplate taking their lovely pregnant bellies for a walk, but I would guess they turned right back around to the barn after their photo opp.
Luna, however, braved the snow for a close-up.
The sheep aren't nearly as bothered by the snow. Even the newly-shorn ones didn't bat an eye.
This lady will be on our milk line this Spring. Feta, anyone?
The cattle also seem non-plussed, so long as they have their ration of hay! They even kicked up their heels a bit.
Martha loves the cows, and always gets the best photos of them!
The island canine population is divided into two groups: those that love the snow.....
.... and those that don't.
We were surprised by one critter who seemed to get an extra spring into her step when the snow arrived:
Annabelle! We put an extra bale of hay in her little shed, and she made herself a giant nest and was quite content (after her snowy photo shoot).
On the flip side of that coin, the chickens said "NOPE" to the snow:
We aren't a fan of freezing temperatures and chickens, as it makes for a whole lot of water-hauling. Here the chicken waterers stand like little snow gnomes outside the back door, waiting for their bathroom tub thaw.
The rest of us got to thaw out too, as temps are back in the 40's and the season of mud returns. With the snow gone, it's back to projects such as sheep shearing, cleaning out the chicken coops (which are less than pristine after a few days of the chickens refusing to leave them) and prepping the barns for babies!
Special thanks to Martha for taking us on a snowy tour of the farm!
