Critters

 

lovely to see these Ruffed Grouse in a bush

their chamouflage is wonderful

it was a pair of birds

nice that they have one another for winter

the second bird was well hidden

ice crystal season has begun

this one is not super clear as it was a bit frosty on top 

of the crystals

lovely in its star shape

Looking out the window, a deeply gray day and the world seems frozen.

Yet I step out and two little birds fly to me, land on my hand for nuts.

A doe wanders through the yard and gazes as me as I fill my carrier with wood for the stove.

She wanders off between the ponds, we are all aware of one another.

THEN an explosion of movement and sound appears from the far side of the pond.

A buck at high speed appears to be flying and the doe flees swiftly. 

The chase is on. 

Flying over fences at high speed. Then it all stops, she got away. Five minutes later, nearly the same event happens all over again, this time I had my camera out and captured this photo of the buck on the hunt. I stood still as a tree and he ignored me. He heard her movement and the chase was on. Again she escapes. A few minutes later I hear them charging through the woods. Three times….. he was quite sincere in his chase. I did not see the outcome, did she get away?

I read there are a number of reasons for a buck behaving this way. Not always the rut, sometimes due to the amount of testosterone. This was a first sighting for me.

Our frozen world is not entirely frozen for the season. Step outside and one never knows what they will experience.

~

* 

First Snow

 

Our first snow of the season

landed on trees that still have autumn leaves

a mix of autumn and winter

striking to see golden leaves in a nearly black and white realm

I wonder what deer think of the change of season?

morning two of the snowstorm

covered us even deeper in snow

offering a mystical and magical white realm

~

Late Autumn

 

I returned home to find her laying in the sun. I love seeing the furry natives of this land. 

 

 autumn snow

autumn rain

nature's beauty

morning light begins to paint the world

 

remembering early autumn 

with this family of fungi

I love seeing the fox as they pass through.... never staying long. 

Which is true of all the wildlife.... 

they are on the move.

 

~

Looking at these photos, 

autumn sure does have a color theme.

~

*

Winter, lovely Winter

for us, winter has been mild

in my little snow belt

we have but a few inches of snow

and

some ice crystals to brighten our days

always a joy to have the natives pass through

all fluffed up in their winter coats

most our days are cloudy

and when the sun shines upon us

joy rises naturally

sunsets light

dances upon some trees longer than others

spring cleaning in winter

a squirrel's underworld home

~

I hope this finds you all well

and

enjoying your days and nights

~

*

Spots and Dots

a week ago

I found this mushroom rising through the earth

a splash of dirty color:

I visited it and photographed it every day

It took 7 days from beginning to end

it was the only mushroom around

it was a fun and interesting thing to do

out in the back meadow 

the grasses are now taller than I

and 

they are speckled with ladybugs

this is the first summer that I have seen so many of these 

little gem-like bugs

this seasons fawns are quite dapper in their spots

sharing a scattering of spots and dots 

from my forest

~

*

Into the Enchanted Forest

into the enchanted forest

where bears call home

(old and new claw marks):

 

deer do roam

 

 clear waters flow

 and 

flowers grow

hummingbirds build nests of spider webs and lichen

and 

moths nap on leaves

summer in Montana

~

*

 

Snowflakes and Winter Glimpses

 

this snowfall: slivers of crystals and star flakes

Until we look close, could we ever imagine the varied crystals of snow that grace our world? 

 above is from a different snowfall

 whitetail deer

in 

winter woodlands

for two weeks

one Arctic Redpoll visited the feeder

makes me wonder how one bird

is here

they are usually a flock type of bird

~

*

 

Dear Deer

oh my

the dear deer!

just a few days ago

I spotted these two heading across my yard

this little one must have been 

just born

that morning

or during the night

it was so tiny

yet so alive

alert

full of instincts and inborn knowledge

such a joy to see!

~

*

Winter Solstice

on the threshold of winter 

(even though it has seemed like winter for a few weeks)

when the light does come out

it is incredibly magical

I have seen this male a few times

one of his antlers is half missing, broken

I wonder what his story is

soon they will be dropping their antlers 

and begin to grow a new set

forest paths

beckon snow clad

most days are cloudy

when the sun comes out

it is time to celebrate

step out into the day

let the light pour into our eyes

and

kiss our skin

the shores of lakes

grow treasures of ice

as it has been a super cold month!

here we are on the threshold

between Autumn and Winter

the shortest day

and

longest night of the year

~

from my wee cabin

to yours

I wish you a lovely Solstice!

~

*