The Doomsday Alarm

A few days ago I was out pulling some weeds along the driveway, enjoying the sun and the gentle sound of birdsong.

As I neared John's truck, a terrible sound arose. My first thought was that it was some Doomsday alarm, alerting passersby to the imminent explosion of the vehicle, and I reached for my phone to tell John about the problem and ask what I should do.

Then a confusion of guineas ran out from beneath the truck -- mostly males, as they make the harsh chi, chi, chi sound I was hearing, unlike the female's more gentle potterack? potterack? which I would have recognized. (Link HERE to a recording of guinea sounds.)

And yes, confusion is the accepted collective noun for these weird critters--but at least the truck didn't explode.

Seeing Spots

New on the Farm!

Seven guineas have been added to  our critters.

It's been many years since we had any and I'm delighted to be able to enjoy their strange chatter and dinosaur-like appearance once more,

They are very good at pest control and act as watchdogs, setting up a great cry at any disturbance in the force.

Their eggs are small but rich -- if you can find them. They make nests wherever they like. And they roost, not in the chicken house, but in nearby trees.

We got them on a whim because a friend had a good deal on a bunch of them them and offered to share and to deliver them.

Long may they roam our fields!