It's not my usual sort of destination, but one of the highlights of a recent visit to New York's Finger Lakes area turned out to be an afternoon visiting a working farm that also specializes in educational programs for children and adults.
Driving from town to town in the area left us looking at a lot of lush farmland along the roads, including large numbers of cows, since it's a prime dairy area. Ironically, when we decided to find a farm to visit, we ended up at Bluebird Trail Farm where cows are unwelcome because they're too large to play well with kids.
The fence and the big rocks on top of the hives are to discourage bears from raiding for honey. Sorry, Pooh! The butterfly was nearby
But we got to see and spend time with and learn a lot about quite a variety of other animals, from the small and busy, buzzy bees in the farm's three hives on up to a variety of four-footed charmers.
Things are a bit quiet this year at Bluebird Trail because of the pandemic, but there's still lots to see. Visits are by reservation, and we were met by Margie, who describes herself on the farm's website as 'farmer,' as opposed to others who are nature educators, naturalists and more. She gave us a great walk-around, introducing animals and talking about how the farm operates.
The peacocks are decorative, unlike the chickens and turkeys (above) and chickens that that are raised for meat; there are also egg-layers. The farm runs a Community-Supported Agriculture program that provides its members with fresh farm goods on a regular basis.
The Egg Production Department, looking as if it's lined up for orders before heading into a shadier corner... and a nosy peacock checking on baby turkeys.
Pigs are always good for a show; it's no wonder my daughter has had a life-long attraction to them.
A pair of ponies, only one of whom wanted to pose, was not much competition for the alpacas. They always look as if they were created by Dr. Seuss, and all the more so after being sheared. Margie solved one of life's mysteries for us: why do shorn alpacas keep the fuzzy hair on their heads. It helps them keep flies away from their eyes!
And the ducks. A little bit of corn tossed out got them moving, but the real attraction turned out to be water as they lined up to get hosed down. It's a little dry this season, so instead of a pond, they have a blue plastic backyard pool to play in.
Rabbits and a rather elaborate rabbitg house.
The farm is very careful about sanitation, even without a pandemic. CSA members often pick their own produce at the farm rather than having a box delivered.
Just some of the season's bounty waiting for the CSA members....
Bluebird Trail Farm has a variety of chicken breeds, and therefore a variety of egg colors. Some are almost blue!
Tomatoes growing in compost-infused hay bales
If you're wondering why it's called Bluebird Trail, it's because the farm has a pleasant walking/hiking trail across its land called, well, you guessed it. It's an easy walk, with longer and shorter options and great views. Along the way are a number of small birdhouses, and signs highlighting official state trees and animals. New York, it turns out, even has an official state fossil.
The centerpiece of the walk is a small pond, surrounded by trees and reeds, and with a couple of paths through it, before turning back to the farmhouse.
While we were in this area we heard, and then briefly saw, a sizable bullfrog as well as smaller ones.
If you are in the Finger Lakes area, especially near Corning (the farm is just south of the city, it's easy to visit. There's a $5 per person charge, capped at $25 per family. There's also a two-bedroom cottage that can be rented for overnight stays.
Bluebird Trail Farm:
951 & 921 Harris Road in Corning, NY 14830 Phone: 607.329.4023
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