Thread: Pics, long overdue!

Originally Posted by sarahsunshine

FANTASTIC!!!!

Where there's one turkey, there should be tons more!!!

That looks like a brown snake. Completely harmless and eats mice and large bugs.

Snapping turtle - my absolute favourite! I could show you how to safely carry them - not by the tail (could break it). They are also very neat to watch nest. You probably have other turtles too - painted and blandings likely.

That's good news about the snakes eating mice- I am worried that there might be a lot of them around here. I bet the mice will want to come into the house come fall.... I hope the cat is up for a challenge
We are actually thinking about getting some barn cats? Is that a good idea? I have heard of them through craigslist.

The snapping turtle has moved on somewhere down the creek. We told the kids not to touch it at all- I really don't need any more ER visits... But we keep checking for any other turtles in the creek. The kids have built a small dam - they are trying to create a small waterfall It's really fun!

We have lots of snapping turtles and had no problems really. We raised some of their eggs one year (43!) and 9 hatched. They lived in our bathroom for a year or so and then were released. Because Sarah knows tons about them, she is able to handle them. This year we have one that has been injured, probably by a vehicle. We think it will survive. They like to keep away from us. Sarah also knows about other turtles and brown snakes etc... She even has dealt with a couple of bears!

We do not have barn cats. I can't deal with them dying all the time from coyotes, owls and cars. We have 3 cats that people dumped off here in the country. (I HATE that mentality!!!) One is a great mouser. There are often mice in the house no matter the season. (The cats bring them to us! Had one this morning at 6am) We do our best to seal any openings, but they defy us! I won't use poison because of our dog and the cats eating it and the mice. We have worked it out well though. I seal foods in our pantry and cupboards in containers. (They go right through cardboard boxes and even things like cleanser etc... ) DH caulked around pipes and vents that enter the house and this made a huge difference!

We have had lots of tree trimming here this month and some barn repair. Always something! The vegetable garden tomatoes have been FANTASTIC. Enjoy every bit of it Asha!

Originally Posted by gardenbug

We have lots of snapping turtles and had no problems really. We raised some of their eggs one year (43!) and 9 hatched. They lived in our bathroom for a year or so and then were released. Because Sarah knows tons about them, she is able to handle them. This year we have one that has been injured, probably by a vehicle. We think it will survive. They like to keep away from us. Sarah also knows about other turtles and brown snakes etc... She even has dealt with a couple of bears!

We do not have barn cats. I can't deal with them dying all the time from coyotes, owls and cars. We have 3 cats that people dump off here in the country. (I HATE that mentality!!!) One is a great mouser. There are often mice in the house no matter the season. We do our best to seal any openings, but they defy us! I won't use poison because of our dog and the cats eating it and the mice. We have worked it out well though. I seal foods in our pantry and cupboards in containers. (They go right trough cardboard boxes and even things like cleanser etc... ) DH caulked around pipes and vents that enter the house and this made a huge difference!

We have had lots of tree trimming here this month and some barn repair. Always something! The vegetable garden tomatoes have been FANTASTIC. Enjoy every bit of it Asha!

Yeah, I worry about coyotes catching cats. We make sure Spike comes in at night, but you can't really do it for barn cats and then there would be heartbreak. That's why I asked. It just sounds like setting the kitties up for danger.

Gardenbug- I remember reading about your home and thinking that it sounds like a wonderful place, it is great that we were able to find something similar here!

I love your new place! Thanks for sharing!

Lurker from the Nov 2011 board

Your family looks wonderful Asha! Congrats on your new home it looks amazing!!

As for barn cats a few friends have adopted ferals who were trapped and altered (spay/neutered) given shots then adopted to folks who could give them semi-feral barn cat lives. Seems to work well, the cats aren't really house pets (they wouldn't come to be touched or pet) and living in the barn is certainly safer than no home at all and they've been altered so they can't reproduce. All in all there may be some dangers but it seems a good situation for trapped/altered ferals. I think a lot of areas have different programs like that there might be one near you.

You're family is beautiful and I'm so envious of your home!!

I loveeeeeee your pictures! I love the backdeck area for eating lunch. That seems like such a great change in pace. It's been too hot here to eat outside but now the weather is much better. We're looking at some patio furniture since we just got a new grill =D and hope to get to have more outdoor time.

You guys are so brave for catching that snake! I can't believe you guys got it in a net.

Your family is adorable!

Asha!!! What a BEAUTIFUL HOME!!! Geeze, what a dream! I loved looking at the pictures