This story could only have happened on Bedlam Farm. Maria’s video is great. Don’t be startled by the surprise appearance of a familiar face.

The star, as usual, is Zip, who was on the ground near Maria when she looked into the animal water tub, as she does every morning, and picked out a drowning bug, who got stuck in there and couldn’t get out.

I admit I initially thought this a strange daily habit, but it’s just normal now. Maria loves everything living, fortunately, even me.

And she loves Zip, too.

She put the bug on the post to dry out, which he did, and started to take a video of him. The bug began wiping the water off his antennae, a remarkable sight that Maria often captures on camera and video.  She is our very own  Bedlam Farm National Geographic.

Zip’s sudden jump and Hollywood appearance, almost squashing the bug, added a dramatic twist to the story. The bug, who had already been through a lot, showed remarkable resilience. It jumped into Maria’s outstretched hand, a testament to its determination to survive despite the odds.

Zip is an intelligent lad who loves to be in the middle of things. He has figured out the importance of cameras at Bedlam Farm. In the mornings, the two of us (Maria and I) are always marching around with cameras clicking, and it’s a rare day that Zip isn’t in one of the photos.

After his appearances, he disappears out into the woods or deep grass to hunt. We usually don’t see him for hours.

I loved this video.  It begins with the bug drying out and ends in drama.

If anything could capture the vibrant spirit, fun, and joy of the place, this was it. Maria is pretty great with her videos and photos. Zip has charmed Bedlam Farm as a dominant presence. We are lucky and happy to have him. It seems he has driven the dread rats away, along with the pigeons crapping up the storage floor of the barn. He is a Barn Cat hero.

I’ve never had an animal on the farm as photogenic as Zip. He never needs to be prompted to look into the lens.