LOOKING BACK ON JANUARY...1

All by its' lonesome in the cold

Weeping Cherry Tree at the ponds' edge covered in ice

Pine tree encased in snow and ice

View out my kitchen window

Reflection of trees lit up by the sunrise
His face says it all!

MISSING THE SUMER SEASON...

Here it is, January 4th, and I don't want to talk about winter. Usually, at this time of the year I'm O.K. with the cold still. We haven't been that far into winter. Maybe it's the extreme ups and downs of the temperatures lately. We have had a few unseasonal warm days here and there which casts a bittersweet feeling. Although I sure appreciate the milder temps., part of me then longs for the warmer weather all that much more. The cattails swaying in the breeze, my dragons playing around the pond and the butterflies skipping gingerly bloom to bloom. I miss the colors of summer, the sounds and scents of summer.












I'm not the only one dealing with this whole idea of winter. All of those tiny birds coats fluff up, they scurry to get as much seed as they can and disappear as fast as they came. I wonder if they are ever anywhere close to warm during the cold months? All of my outdoor cats' coats of fur have filled in twice as thick to help protect them. Look at Bandit here, she looks like a little black snowman posing in front of the pure white snow covered pond.

Now here's a seldom seen happening here in the woods. Only once before have I witnessed deer laying down in the woods. Usually they're nervous and on the move from the hunters. The slightest sound may send them off in a hurry. This deer was all alone, she didn't run the closer I moved towards her. I stayed at a distance of about 150 feet away. I wanted to get a better shot, but more importantly I didn't want to scare her off. She was calm and resting, more than likely she witnessed the rest of her family taken down. She needed her calm more than I needed a better photograph. Naturally, I'm out there quietly talking to her. Each time I spoke her ears perked. I was driving into town the other day and the tiniest fawn crossed the road in front of me. No other family of hers was in sight, she ran off all alone. I wish I could've scooped her up in my arms and took her home. That's another "thing" about winter that brings unpleasant thoughts...hunting.

All of these photos were taken from a distance, I was practicing with the zoom of my new camera. I love the silhouettes against a darkened sky...so simple and so eye-catching. This branch looks as if it were wearing a glove as it pointed north.
More pond views...I'm struggling to find color in this predominately monotone season. When the skies are sprinkled with peaches and pinks as the sunset nears...
the results are soothing pastels painting the pond.

Here the ponds' ice is melting and in certain areas has a crackled effect to add texture for interest. Just look at those pastels...almost reminds you of summer blooms!

INTO THE BITTER COLD...

This past weekend our temperatures dropped to the lowest so far in this early winter season. It was bitter cold, and old man winter threw in a good dose of wind chill effects just to make sure he got his point across! This first image shows the coneflower seedheads(left for the birds), with the sun low in the sky, casting it's beam across the frozen pond. I'm seeing some interesting shadows created across the pond...and as I've mentioned in many posts, the pond "scape" changes all day. I never would've thought that our pond would bring me the amount enjoyment, on a variety of levels, as it does.

I discovered this small nest on one of my walks this weekend, it's nestled among an overgrown wild rose bush. The bush is probably 12-13 feet high, yet this cozy home was about 6-7 feet above ground. Whatever feathered friend calls this home, sure has protection from predators with all the thorns from along the canes of the bush. It appears to be occupied, I think I'm seeing an eye peeking out there. Recently, I've spotted Cardinals and Finches on the bush, more than likely for the rose hip berries. If anyone has an idea who may be in that nest, please give your guess. The entrance is on the side.
Looking out my kitchen window, there's a tree fairly close to the cabin. It is dying and has an inevitable date with a chainsaw. I am holding off taking it down because I enjoy seeing the birds, squirrels, owls and raccoons that frequent the tree. Here's a couple of titmouse, this photo came out pretty good considering I took it from in the cabin.
This photo didn't turn out quite so good, again, taken from indoors. Perhaps because it was snowing, I'm not sure. I was watching these little ones pick up the cat food and bring it to the branch and break the food down with their beaks to eat it. Here the titmouse was eating snow, ahhh...nothing like a little ice cold snow to wash down cat food!

Here's a taste of my photography skills!! This is a capture of two deer on the damn, just before dark....O.K!...so you can't see the deer, but you CAN see their eyes! I really need to find my manual for my camera!! I debated on showing this blooper, but hey...what the heck!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING...

I know that I've already posted this wild turkey photo, but I felt it deserving of another shot of the spotlight...especially since many of us will be enjoying the turkey on Thanksgiving. Interesting note on this creature...last year, there were probably thirty turkeys up in the trees one day. Something spooked them, and they all took off in flight at once. For some reason, one became disoriented and landed in the pond. Of course, I panicked thinking it may drown, as it was struggling. I yelled for my husband and he came over with heavy duty work gloves in an attempt to save the poor thing. Surprisingly, it managed to "swim" to the edge of the pond within a few feet of me, and fly away. I didn't know turkeys knew how to swim, if that's what you call what it did!
Here's a decent size doe wandering just behind the cabin, the rest of her family took off when they spotted my husband at the window, she was a little curious...
and so was this squirrel.

Even though my woods bring me my calm, hey...I have my moments of stress! Every time I see one of my cats crossing the pond! I just lose it with worry that they will find a weak spot...so far they've been lucky! Look at Patches...just strolling the pond...no worries!

MAGIC AND MAJESTY...

Out of all natures' wonders, the awe-inspiring moon probably captures my attention the most. There is something magical about the moon, especially in all its' glory when full. Last night the moonscape was awesome. My captures are NOWHERE near the power and beauty that actually painted the sky last night! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to accurately capture a perfect photo...the aura around the moon does not show here as it did as I was standing there. The subtle nuances in the clouds and tree silhouettes are lost in my photos. I was so mesmerized by this event that only lasted about five minutes, I took 66 photos, only a couple came somewhere near the real beauty of last night. One of the photos showed a formation of a cross from the tree branches, but the rest of the scenery wasn't good. This aura that formed and lasted just a few minutes was the largest I have ever seen around the moon.

After that, the sky was still breathtaking...

and worth staying out a little longer, just soaking up the moonbeams.

Now for the majesty... this buck was just outside the back of our cabin a couple of days ago, a few other deer were searching for food as well, a little further back in the woods.

Yesterday, I had such a treat. I was watching four deer up close to the cabin. They were munching here and there, then wandered across the front yard. My five outdoor cats were watching and one of them ran out to the deer. I witnessed a little leaping and playing between O.J. and one of the deer. The deer all gracefully walked to the damn of the pond...one walked down to the water and began to drink. Two of my cats went and laid down right next to the other three deer. I was admiring how these two very different creatures were peacefully accepting each other, when I noticed out of the corner of my eye a deer in the distant woods running. All of a sudden, a very large buck ran towards the group, as did the first deer I saw in the distance. One chased three deer away and the large buck very forcefully went after the smallest deer and also chased it into the woods. The two aggressors came back to the pond and the larger buck made sounds that I've never heard before. It was an extremely loud, sick, belching sound. I've heard the snorts before, but not this. My husband said that there were territorial issues going on here.

It's hunting season here, something I dread. It bothers me to hear all the guns going off. There is no hunting allowed in my woods.
One day I witnessed Patches our cat, nose to nose with a small doe. Patches was laying down relaxing and the doe just came up to her. Patches got up slowly and started walking and the doe followed her. The unspoken trust of two different species intrigues me.