For most visitors to Winterpast Farm, the first new sound that they hear upon arrival is the donkey braying. Mable likes everyone to visit and feed her first. Apple slices are her very favorite food.
Come feel her ever expanding tummy. Farmer Mary will explain why she is reaching under Mabel and checking her teats every day.
The foods Mabel hopes you bring to feed her include apple slices, carrots, kale, green beans (some times), and wheat bread. Mabel moved to Winterpast Farm already expecting so her due date is unclear.
But, meanwhile, she sure hopes you will visit her and walk the back pasture with her soon! Maybe you will be there when the baby or babies come!
Claire, the littler, but also pregnant, donkey, also dearly loves carrots, ricecakes, and apples…she is just a bit quieter.
Many farm visitors get the chance to meet and interact with Farmer Mary’s daughter, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth is a Freshman at Millbrook High School where she is enjoying being a part of the marching band. She is on the color guard team which twirls the flags during the music.
Elizabeth was born in Russia and was adopted by Farmer Mary along with her brother , Alex, when she was seven. Stavropol is the city where she was living which is by the Black Sea.
A few weeks ago Farmer Mary thought a child had left a toy behind when she found this on the ground. When she picked it up, it curled up in a ball. She googled and found it was. HICKORY HORNED DEVIL caterpillar.
In a few weeks it turned into this:
here is the view of the other side.
Here is what it will look like one day.
THEN, yesterday another caterpillar showed up.
Friends of the farm helped identify it as an IMPERIAL MOTH caterpillar. After researching, Farmer Mary released it in her back yard (away from hungry birds!) since it is probably searching for soft ground to burrow into for the winter. When it rebirths it will marry by midnight that same day.
Here is what it will look like one day.
Take a Child Outside Week
September 24—September 30 Annually
Contact Farmer Mary to schedule your family or group visit to Winterpast Farm!!
Two girls celebrate their birthdays with a visit (and great cupcakes!) at Winterpast Farm today.
Farmer Mary found her new road sign is a great place to hang birthday balloons!
