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I can’t help it- I am here to admit it to the world.
I love chickens!
Yes. The live ones. And although I’m just beginning to tell the difference between a Banty and a Rhode Island Red, they all have such hilarious personalities- I just can’t tear myself away from them whenever and wherever I encounter them.
I spent a couple of hours this past weekend over at historic Hanley Farms, outside of Medford, OR communing with my feathered friends and doing my best to capture some good reference shots for future artistic endeavors.
I had gone out there for “Artist Day”, though it seemed to be “Artist ONLY Day” as far as I could tell. Only a tiny smattering of non-artists were sighted. Far more chickens were in attendance.
There was live music, painters, jewelers, designers, quilters, plenty of critters…but no one to help support them.
Except the chickens.
This guy had plenty to crow about with all the hullabaloo that was going on, not to mention that weird human crawling around on the ground staring at him.
I also encountered a gorgeous peacock.
Check out how long his tail is! Like five times the length of his actual body. Amazingly gorgeous.
But alas, without a mate to show off for, he just hung out on the ground looking handsome for the rest of us.
These photos just don’t do him justice.
I also attempted to befriend a couple of…
donkeys? burros? I am obviously NOT a native farm girl. This one seemed eager for a pat- but I HAVE had experience with electric fences before, and I can tell you now- it is NOT an experience I want to relive. Yikes it’s stunning!
So we just had a little chat, and then it was back to my feathered friends in the coop.
This young lady was attempting to stay cool by digging herself a hole to China, and then hopping in it. Pretty amazing to see really. I’ve never “known” a chicken before, but they sure do like to dig! I took a study shot of their feet, because they are way way stouter (is that a word?) than I ever realized. This is the largest of the Roosters- and he knew it too. He was very protective of his hens, leading them into and then back out of the coop several times as I attempted to get closer shots.
And then there was this one…he looked like I felt! Exhausted.
Time for a nap, then off to home.