Helmets and Wattles

Only two adult guineas remain from our last flock.

These two are several years old now.

I am guessing that they are both males.

Males have very large helmets and wattles (on the sides of their face).

Males also do not make the "buck-wheat" call that females make.

Neither of the old guineas make that sound.

They are quite eager for the young guineas to gain their freedom.

This will happen in another month or so.
At that point they will be free to roam around the farm eating ticks and insects as
they please.

The youngsters are just beginning to grow their helmets.
You can just see their heads beginning to show a slight hump on top.
Notice the large wattles on the youngster on the right... he's likely a male as well.

Guineas lay eggs with shells as hard as ceramic.
Unfortunately they lay them in the strangest places...
making them hard to find.
The eggs are edible just like chicken eggs... if you can find them.
The trouble is... by the time you find a clutch of eggs hidden in some obscure location...
they are of unknown age... making them inedible.

I spent a little time harvesting the remains of the garden yesterday,
as nighttime temperatures will be dipping back down in the 30's.

Fall broccoli is ready...

so last evening I made a pot of cream of broccoli soup and this delicious
olive/rosemary loaf.

(You can find the directions here... it is simple and foolproof!)

Just off the needles:

And, last but not least:
Hubbs did a little more drone footage, if you are interested in another view...
(click on the square in the lower right hand corner for a full screen view.)