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by Susie
Recently, we've been very lucky to have photographer extraordinaire and good friend of Farm Sanctuary Greg Straight Edge, visit us at the New York Shelter. With his unique photography style, Greg captures the animals' personalities in a very special way. These are some of my favorite photos from his trip. Thanks, Greg, for sharing your talent with us!
SNICKERS
FIONA
PLANTAIN
GOTTI
SALLY
by Leanne
Muscovey ducks are very unique, as they don’t look, walk, talk, or swim quite like any other ducks I know. Their distinct masked faces and silent quacks are what attract many people’s attention at first, but it’s really their sophisticated personalities that keep visitors coming back to the farm to see them. Della and Bella are two Muscoveys who happened to land in the most unusual place at the California Shelter – the rabbit barn, where they surprise and greet delighted visitors with their unexpected presence there year after year.
Despite their caregivers’ attempts to integrate them with our resident duck and goose flock, Della (who was rescued in 1999 after she was surrendered by an elderly woman who could no longer care for her) and Bella (who was rescued in 2002 after she was hit by a car in Chico), never really wanted any part of it. Instead, after exploring the farm a little more, they both finally chose the relaxing, quiet atmosphere of the rabbit barn to settle into – a place where they could be queens of the castle.
Bella and Della, hanging out around the rabbit barn.
The rabbits have a healthy respect for the ladies – moving out of their way at the food troughs, where the ducks happily munch on healthy vegetables put out for them and their furry roommates. And, if the ducks see an insect to eat, they are not afraid to ask the rabbits to move from their lounging position so they can snatch it up. As far as swimming goes, Della and Bella occasionally make use of their pond in one of the rabbit yards, happily dunking their heads under water and flapping their wings to get every part of their bodies clean, preferring this personal “spa” over our larger, more populated ponds.
These days, Della and Bella are no longer a strictly exclusive group, as they have made friends with and welcomed a newer resident Muscovey duck named Stella into the “Rabbit Barn Club.” Now the trio are hardly ever far apart. After one is picked up by a caregiver to be treated, she quickly runs over to the other two when released and, in a huff, tells them all about it. At night, the three usually cozy up under the straw bale structure in the middle of the barn, each duck taking her spot in one of the three cubby holes facing her other friends. Even when they sleep, the special bond between these unique birds is apparent.
Stella, nestling in the straw in the rabbit barn.
M E E T O U R B L O G G E R S
Susie Coston
Susie Coston, Farm Sanctuary's national shelter director, joined us in March 2000. In the six years prior to coming to Farm Sanctuary, she worked for a veterinarian and at a sanctuary in West Virginia. Read more.
Tara Oresick
Tara Oresick has been the director of Farm Sanctuary's Northern California Shelter since January 2012. She previously worked at our New York Shelter, starting as an intern in 2008, joining the staff as a caregiver in 2009, and becoming the shelter manager in 2010. Read more.
C H E C K O U T F A R M
S A N C T U A R Y 'S O T H E R
B L O G
Making Hay with Gene Baur
S A N C T U A R Y T A I L S'
B L O G R O L L
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