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We have seen a lot of bull snakes around the Ranch this year. This is good news--bull snakes are part of a healthy habitat. Unfortunately, bull snakes look a lot like rattlesnakes to most people. They hiss (or even make a rattling sound), flutter their rattleless tail, and try to make their heads look triangular when threatened. Bull snakes also do not suffer fools, and belie the myth that nonpoisonous snakes are timid. I admit that this guy was minding his own business and trucking down the road before I prodded him to pose for a picture. Once poked (gently), he became extremely angry and combative and was more than willing to take me, or any other fool who happened by, on. He stayed
Within a few weeks of the snows melting away, the first really prominent flowers of Spring arrive: Arrowleaf Balsamroot, a member of the sunflower family. Balsamroot is visible from the Lodge and throughout the ranch, and many of our walks take us by dozens of the plants on hillsides and southern slopes. Very pretty, and really makes you feel like Spring is here! Balsamroot was used by local Native Americans as a medicine for a variety of maladies and continues to be important to herbalists today. It also has significant erosion control benefits on otherwise bare and rocky hillsides. Blooming in April, and peaking in May, the Arrowleaf Balsamroot is one more reason to visit the Methow Val
Barn cats have an important mission here at Rockchuck Ranch: keep mice out of the hay, out of the grain, out of the chicken food, and out of sight. Our barn cats must also learn to neither stalk nor molest the chickens. Barn patrol is a tough, 24-hours-a-day job, requiring constant vigilance. Our cats, who were hired as kittens to get them used to the chickens (and chicks), started out strong. In recent months, however, there has been far too much of this: And this: And not nearly enough of this: OK, we actually do not have any pictures of the barn cats throwing down on any mice: that is the point! Blue is standing in to give you the idea of the kind of bloodthirsty eye-of-the-tiger en
"Cupid," our 1966 Ford dump truck, is more than just a pretty face! When not covered with flowers and ready to pose with guests looking for the perfect farm-style backdrop, Cupid helps out around the ranch. On Saturday, Cupid celebrated Earth Week by delivering more than 3000 pounds of scrap to the annual Methow Recycles Metal Drive. (www.methowrecyles.org) Thanks, Methow Recycles, for keeping the beautiful Methow Valley green!