Where in the world is Eli?

Winter finally decided to show up this weekend,

bringing some wind and snow along for the ride.

Not just any wind, but a bitter northwester that can barrel across the open

field behind us and swing into the chicken coop faster than Ember running

through the house while terrorizing everyone in her path.

I was more than hesitant then when I went out to the coop yesterday morning and opened it up. 

I'm not sure why I opened it, perhaps I felt I needed to let the hens

decide for themselves if they wanted to go out or not.

I came back a few hours later after the winds had picked up even more and

shut the door. They seemed extremely pleased with my endeavour.

I returned a few hours after that, once the wind had died down some,

 and found the lot of them standing in front of the door waiting to go out.

I opened the hatch once again and watched as they all hesitated at the door.

I tried to coax them out with a little scratch, which quickly sunk in the snow.

These birds are no fools.

Only one dared venture out past the door while the rest stared at her,

in awe of her courage; she was a brilliant testimony to the Chantecler breed.

Half a minute later she was back inside, even if it meant going under her flock to get there.

Meanwhile, Eli was nowhere to be found. Seems he likes to send

 his ladies out on reconnaissance missions rather than test the waters himself.

I think we should call him Eli the Sultan of the Rural Roost.

Whaddya think?

~Be well friends~

joining: