Friday 23 December 2016

Daisy's and Dogs

Daisy's and dogs @ Jocees Farm


The Oxeye Daisy has decided to make its home in this paddock. Its related to the Chrysanthemum family and originated in Europe.


Daisy's and dogs @ Jocees Farm

It's not very nutritious for the cows but the sheep will eat it.


Daisy's and dogs @ Jocees Farm

It's a beautiful sight when out in bloom.


Daisy's and dogs @ Jocees Farm

The dogs love running around in the daisy field following rabbit trails and tracking them down.


Daisy's and dogs @ Jocees Farm

A happy Holly, ready to go home.





Wednesday 9 November 2016

Cattle Egret

I spotted this bird at the far end of the bull paddock.

Cattle Egret @ Jocees Farm

I'd never seen one on the farm, but after some research found out it was a Cattle Egret. They fly over from Australia in autumn to over-winter and are usually found around cattle and sheep.

Cattle Egret @ Jocees Farm

A small stocky egret similar in size to a white faced heron, with a shorter neck and hunched posture. This is the smallest egret found in New Zealand and their numbers are dwindling after poor breeding seasons in Australia.

Cattle Egret @ Jocees Farm

Another visitor to the farm is this white goose. We don't know where he came from but he seems to be enjoying the bull paddocks too.




Saturday 15 October 2016

Spring Babies

Spring is a busy time with everything looking super green and growing fast.

Spring Babies @ Jocees Farm

Babies of all kinds are arriving. These chicks were born last month.

Spring Babies @ Jocees Farm

And I spotted this mother duck with her 2 ducklings this week.

Spring Babies @ Jocees Farm

Calving has pretty much finished. This group are enjoying a snooze in the sun.

Spring babies @ Jocees Farm

And lastly our pet lamb Hilda, who only stands still for a nano second, so this was the best shot I could get!



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Saturday 10 September 2016

Calf Week

Calf Week @ Jocees Farm

Its been a week of rain, wind and calves.

Calf Week @ Jocees Farm

They are arriving at a steady pace despite the weather (or maybe because of it).

Calf Week @ Jocees Farm

The paddocks are waterlogged and muddy but the cows don't seem to mind.

Calf Week @ Jocees Farm

Today was the 1st sunny day for a while so I took my camera out and made the most of it.

Calf Week @ Jocees Farm

This little fellow was running around enjoying the new paddock but stopped to pose before he was off again. 





Saturday 3 September 2016

Our Pet Lamb

Our pet lamb @ Jocees Farm

This little lady is one week old. My son had to help deliver her because she was a huge baby and the mother was having difficulties. He named her Hilda (because she was born on a hill).

Our pet lamb @ Jocees Farm

The mother abandoned her afterward so we now have a pet to raise.

Our pet lamb @ Jocees Farm

My  daughter has been the surrogate mother this week but she is back to University tomorrow, so I will be sheep mother from now on.





Saturday 20 August 2016

Lambing Starts

It's that time of the year when the lambs start arriving. 

Lambing Starts @ Jocees Farm

One week in and there are lots running around.

Lambing Starts @ Jocees Farm

Only 2 days old and these 2 are already practicing their moves.

Lambing Starts @ Jocees Farm

Just born, a nice set of twins learning how to work those legs.

Lambing Starts @ Jocees Farm

This lady won't be rushed, although I can't imagine her holding out much longer.





Friday 19 August 2016

Late Winter Scenes

Late Winter Scenes @ Jocees Farm


What a beautiful week we've had. Cold frosty mornings don't worry Luke and Ted.


Late Winter Scenes @ Jocees Farm

They become beautiful blue sky days.


Late Winter Scenes @ Jocees Farm

And the only cloud to be found is this one hanging around the top of the hill.  I can feel spring coming.






Saturday 13 August 2016

Winter Bulls

Winter Bulls @ Jocees Farm

We're well into winter here and feeding out hay to the Bulls is one of our morning jobs.

Winter Bulls @ Jocees Farm

The wet, muddy look is popular, especially with the younger ones.

Winter Bulls @ Jocees Farm

And then there was this one. My photo of the day!




Monday 8 August 2016

Frost on the fence post

It was a cold one this morning with a white frost covering everything. 


Frost on the fence post @ Jocees Farm

This is an up close and personal shot of the frost on top of the wooden gate.




Friday 29 July 2016

Sheep Selfie

There's always one who wants to get in on the action.


Sheep Selfie @ JoceesFarm.blogspot.com

I was trying to get a picture of my very pregnant ladies when this one photo-bombed me.


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Tuesday 19 July 2016

Winter in the Orchard

Winter pruning time.


Winter in the Orchard || Jocees Farm

The cleanup crew arrive.


Winter in the Orchard || Jocees Farm

I haven't pruned much over the last 2-3 years so it was a big job. The girls got stuck in eating soft shoots, bark and trimming branches.


Winter in the Orchard || Jocees Farm

I think this hedge needed a trim too.


Winter in the Orchard || Jocees Farm

Team chicken cleanup at ground level.




Saturday 27 February 2016

The 2016 Chicks

Baby Chicks @ Jocees Farm


Meet the new team for 2016. These little chicks are 1 week old.


Baby Chicks @ Jocees Farm

Delilah is doing a great job with her first lot of chicks. She is a nice calm hen (unless you are threatening her babies), so the chicks should grow up nice and calm too.


Baby Chicks @ Jocees Farm

Delilah photo-bombing the picture of her chick!


Baby Chicks @ Jocees Farm

The poser. There's one in every group isn't there?





Wind Blown Tree

Wind Blown Tree  ||  Jocees Farm


This tree lives on Somes Island which is in the Wellington Harbour, New Zealand.

Looks like it's had a tough life battling against the wind.







Friday 12 February 2016

Echinacea Flower

Echinacea @ Jocees Farm


Echinacea is a member of the daisy family and is sometimes called the Purple Coneflower.  They flower right through the summer months.

Echinacea @ Jocees Farm

I bought this plant last year to see how it went here. It had a few flowers and did OK but this year it is putting a a great show.

Echinacea @ Jocees Farm

The name, Echinacea, was derived from a Greek word meaning 'hedgehog' due to the spiny looking central disk.





Saturday 6 February 2016

Sleeping Cat

From my cat Toby:


Sleeping Cat @ Jocees Farm

"It's mid summer here and it's hot, hot, hot.
So i must sleep, sleep, sleep."

In this heat he is an expert sleeper, he doesn't wake up until the end of the day, and then he's off for the night.




Saturday 30 January 2016

Saturday 23 January 2016

Our pet lamb

This is our pet lamb from 2015. Ivy was born in September and orphaned so we bottle fed her.

Pet Lamb @ Jocees Farm

The first photo is Ivy at 2 weeks old. She only had one speed - FAST - so getting a photo of her that wasn't a bit blurry was impossible.

Pet Lamb @ Jocees Farm

Pet Lamb @ Jocees Farm

These 2 photos were taken 3 months later, in mid December. She has been weaned and is now back with the main flock. She still loves the people that come to talk to her though.