The Hot Spot is the place on our website where we will showcase something that is happening right now on the farm.  As is well known, nature is constantly changing.  The beauty of living in such an environment is that life continues to amaze us as the seasons change.  The featured Hot Spot could be something wild in nature like the above Eisvogel that is nesting somewhere near the pond below our farm.  The hot spot could be a vegetable that is coming into season, the frogs that are migrating, the kids that visit the farm, upcoming events at the farm etc.  It is a way to keep friends and family of the farm informed as to the seasonal happenings on the farm.

I have had the chance to watch this beautiful bird a few times as it hunted for fish in the frozen pond.  Where the water poured into the pond there was a hole in the ice and that is where the Eisvogel (Alcedo atthis or common kingfisher) sat all winter waiting for his chance to dive into the icy water to catch his meal.  Now that spring has come and the ice has melted, I have not had the pleasure of seeing him or her.  What is really interesting about the Eisvogel is that it doesn’t have a song.  Its call is really quiet so it is not easy to locate it.  We are very lucky to have such a rare bird living by our home.

Stay inspired, Scott