Spring treasures

 

The lovely pasque wildflower is gracing our presence in prairie landscapes.

Just as lovely from the back as it is from the front of their blooms:

Lately we have had Ms. Fox passing through often. 

Sometimes I find her curled up on my lawn, right off my porch. 

Maybe because I don't have domestic pets?

She is a red fox but considered a Cross fox due to her unique coloring.

Right now she is molting, a month ago she was fluffy as can be. 

 

We know she has at least 3 kits. The papa comes around to play and be with them. 

 

 

Spring flowers bloom later here in NW Montana than most places. 

I do anticipate their arrival and am willing to drive hours to be with them. 

Lovely Buttercup

above, spring beauties

also known as fairy spuds

as their corms are edible, but tiny

This handsome garter snake appeared when half the earth was still cloaked in snow. I was surprised to see it out of hibernation. 

I love being surprised by nature as it teaches me its ways. 

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Lovely spring to you!

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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.

~

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Autumn turns to Winter

A week ago

I walked along a river, the sun was out, it was lovely and warm. There were rocks cuddled in moss. 

The previous snow had melted away,

it felt like autumn again.

 Western larch, though fading, 

still appeared as golden torches lighting up the mountains.

This seed pod was maybe an inch long. 

I have no idea what plant it is. This close up shows me details my eyes could not see. I am mesmerized at the design for protecting and sending off it's seeds. 

Let me know if you know what it is. 

For two days it has been snowing.

It is a winter wonderland out there.
I plowed for the first time of the season. 

The little birds are busy as can be, 

collecting seeds and seem happy as can be.

I never know who I will see when I look out the window!

~

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3 weeks of Warm Sunny Autumn, now Snow....

     

 (female nuthatch on edible Chicken of the Woods fungi)

 Autumn began with beautiful sunny days

autumn colors turned the world magical

Rains arrived

after the storm, the mountains would breathe and make clouds

Went on a mushroom foray,

a great way to learn (with a teacher)

and found my first Chanterelles! Yum

and others......

Took a high mountain road looking for fungi

in the rain that turned to snow. 

At times I wondered if my van would disappear into the flooded road.

We have lovely neighbor hood fox

cloaked in autumn colors.

Trees wore their magical colors:

pink, red, amber, peach and golds.

Over a couple of months

I gathered a little flock of birds for daily company

Then the snow arrived

3 snowfalls so far

~

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