The Winter of Ice

Here we go, another ice storm. This one even worse that the others we've had so far this winter. Truthfully, I'd rather it be snow. Snow isn't as destructive or treacherous. It was so miserable out this morning that the calves refused to come out of their shelter when I walked out with a bucket of milk. I took that as a sign that the animals had battened down the hatches and as soon as I was done milking, I should go back in the house and do the same.
In the middle of milking I heard two cracks that sounded like rifle shots followed by a creaking and then a crashing. I feared looking out of the barn door hoping not to see major damage to our beautiful large pine tree. It was one of the smaller shade trees that had lost two large limbs. Although I wanted to inspect closer, many of the canopy branches sagged under the weight of the ice and I thought it best to keep my distance.

Ice on the fence line as the goats gobble up a meal during a break in the storm.

Cinderella begging for attention.

Mimi and Andy were more interested in the fresh round bales we put out yesterday than staying dry. Only during the worst of the storm did they seek shelter. Other than that, they had their faces in food. The other round bale looks as if it's sprouted some sort of weird fur as ice formed on the tendrils of loose hay.It may be winter and covered in ice, but soon spring will arrive and the old iron will be hard at work once again.