I was creeping along in my car in order to take this photo, waiting for this small flock of Guinea Hens to get out of the way and it took quite a while. Luckily I was the only car on this country road. I actually took a video and paused it to get this photo. Why was I out and about? I was coming home from a local farm market that has curbside pickup and puts your order in the trunk of your car with no human contact. It is a family owned business that was founded in 1922. I figured all the big box stores and large supermarkets will be okay but the little local guys might not. It was also good to go out and drive my car. At one point, I was a little concerned that I would not be able to stay within the 10,000 miles per year maximum mileage allowed on my three-year auto rental. This year, it will not be a problem!
See more info @ eBirds.com on Guinea Hens or Guinea Fowl. I love these polka dot birds and was very excited about my encounter with them this week. Stay safe, my friends and enjoy your Sunday. xo
7 comments:
This picture made me smile. I love guineas! Last year, while I was out working in the yard, I saw something move in the periphery and lo and behold it was a large guinea hen. I called the neighbors to see if she belonged to them, but no one claimed her. They are beautiful birds. Bless you for buying from a local market. We're trying to patronize our local vendors, too.
Hi Rosemary. I love the guinea hens. What is the make counterpart to guinea hens? I've seen some wild turkeys wandering the roads in my area. They're quite impressive - large and very beautiful. It must be mating season. It's nice of you to think about and patronize small businesses during this very challenging time. Take care of yourself. Stay safe and healthy!
I love guinea hens! And they eat ticks by the bushels!
We had some with our chickens in Pasadena; but they, unlike chickens kept running away from home! (just like these in the picture!) One day they ran across a huge bridge to the Norton Simon Art Museum!
Penelope Bianchi -- Penny, I had Guinea Hens too at one point when when I had a farm assessment. They ran away every day and instead of roosting up high in the trees at night they roosted on the top rail of a 3 rail fence way too close to the ground. I lost them one by one because, like yours, they had minds of their own and I had no way of fencing them in. I love that yours crossed a huge and went to the Museum!!!
xo, Rosemary
Pam -- There is no telling where that Guinea Hen you saw on your property came from. They are definitely born to wander. Maybe because they need to spread there beauty around? I am happy to spend more to shop locally and I honestly don't want to go inside a store quite yet. One of my neighbors send me a photo of a delivery she got from Costco and it was mostly snacks. My farm market had zero snacks on their order form. I think I have been eating healthier and junk food is a thing of the past that I hope stays that way.Stay safe. xo, Rosemary
lisa -- Guinea Fowl Identification: The adult males are usually larger with bigger wattles and head furnishings. The helmet is the protrusion which sticks out from the tops of their heads, and the wattles are the giggly jowls which hang around their cheeks.
I haven't seen any of my wild turkeys yet and I am hopeful I will see some of their babies after they hatch. I always see them when the acorns fall, their favorite food.
I was happy that a farm market nearby offered curbside pickup. I am wondering what the farmers' markets will be like later in the year? It will take a long time before things get back to what we remember and maybe it won't be the same, only better.
xo, Rosemary
How darling they are and what a lovely country road. Whenever I encounter ducks, turkeys, deer or once a huge turtle strolling across the road, I pull right out into the middle of the road to force oncoming traffic to stop. Once a doe was nursing her twin fawns right in the roadway and people often think animals will move...but not always, so I pull right out to the middle and put my hand out the window signalling STOP! I've been known more than once to jump out of my car on a busy street to halt traffic in order that a Mallard duck family could cross safely with small chicks struggling to hop up the curb before proceeding to the park.
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