Day 1109 Feathered Chaos

 

It’s been a while since I shared an awesome chicken photo—so here you go! Although it might look like this hen is striking a pose, trust me when I say they never sit still for photos. Getting a clear shot is always a mix of timing, patience, and a bit of luck.

My flock has been loving having me home the past few evenings, free-ranging before sunset and truly living their best lives. I’ve missed seeing Peps interact with the flock—she was always eager to be in the middle of things, happily surrounded by her feathered friends. There’s a certain calm and joy in watching them scratch and peck around the yard as the sun dips low.

A couple of my more adventurous hens decided to explore the neighbor’s yard, slipping through an opening in the fence line. When dusk settled in, they couldn’t find their way back! I was already in my pajamas when I went out to close the henhouse door for the night and spotted them missing. So, off I went next door, trying to gently herd them back through the opening. It wasn’t easy, but I’m glad I managed to get the two explorers home safely for the night.

Although fall is still a month away, there’s a shift in the air—and the golden sunsets are a clear reminder that it’s creeping closer each day. Quiet evenings like these are rare during the summer, but every now and then, they’re just what the doctor ordered.

As John Burroughs once said, “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” Nights like these, surrounded by feathered chaos and country calm, remind me exactly why that rings true.