1.01.2023
Ermine
11.22.2022
Critters
lovely to see these Ruffed Grouse in a bush
their chamouflage is wonderful
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.
~
*
11.04.2022
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
~
10.30.2022
Autumn Glory
yesterday
the western larch
were cloaked in their golden hues
most the day was cloudy gray
and
then the sun came out to show off the beauty even more
9.21.2022
Two Medicine
Two morning images of Sinopah mountain.
The first morning was quite windy, the next smooth as can be with mist rising.
What a difference a day makes.
Camping here I had a unique experience:
Star gazing with my friend and a camp neighbor I noticed light glowing over the crest of a mountain. We were on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains. No cities nearby, only small towns, meaning no big lights. “What is that I asked?”. Many man-made items were the guess by one of us. The glow grew larger and to my eyes softly green. The light began to pulse (UFO’s came to mind).
A moment later a brilliant star appeared over the mountains ridge. My first consciously observed star-rise! So beautiful. Seemed magical and profound. Often it is day… then it is night and there are stars. To see a star rise felt holy.
Lovely day and beyond to you.
~
*