Making Hay While the Sun Shines

While up in Maine, we stayed with our friends, Peter and Marty, the owners of Peace Fleece. We were lucky enough to catch them making hay with their 'crew.'


Duke is the old guy, the white one. I can't remember the others' names. They're at rest here, taking a break in the shade before moving on to cut more rows. I've always had a thing for these gentle giants, the work horses. My favorite is a dapple grey Percheron.


The flies and mosquitoes are bad as you can imagine so the tails are always in motion.


The grass cutter is powered by biodiesel fuel, but the main power is the 4-horse power 'engine' up front.


I just loved the scene of the mountains in the background, the bright blue sky with puffy clouds, and these four gorgeous animals pulling the cutter. The fresh cut grass smelled of spring and summer and dew and farm.





Marty made some rows by hand if there wasn't enough grass so the baler could pick it up.


Walking the horses back through the Maine woods.


We had ridden our bikes over to the field so Houston walked Marty's bike back. I felt like we were in a parade. We didn't have far to go, just 1/4 mile.


Getting all the gear off on this hot day has to feel good.


Marty getting ready to ride over to the field. Someone had thrown this bike away at the dump so she retrieved it and it has served her well. She rides it to various fields to check on the animals.


After a few hours of cutting, the horses get some hay that they had cut last year. They really do have to work for their food!


This little red hen gets in on some of the hay action too.


And as the day draws to a close, this hard working horse puts his head down for a little nap. Ahhh.