NATURALLY!!!

I just did my last post this morning, and look what I see....SIX Mourning Doves high in the tree top! I couldn't resist sneaking it in!

IN THE MORNING...

The past few mornings offered a couple of pleasant surprises. A pair of Mourning Doves and a large squirrel have found there way to the feeder. The doves and the squirrel were photographed from inside the cabin. Now, I know that I have my work cut out for me as far as the squirrel visiting the feeder, but I was thrilled to be able to capture a few good shots. This big guy(girl?...despite the pose, I'm not sure!) was positively frightened when he saw me. I admit, I do look pretty scary in the morning! He must've scurried on every branch of this tree twice over. Up, down and all around...until I opened the side door and he took a flying leap from about 15 feet high and landed on the ground about 12 feet from the tree! I expected to find an empty feeder this morning. So far, it's still intact and my fingers are crossed.

Saturday morning as I looked out one of my back windows up the hill to see how the day was about to greet me...I was greeted with this view. This was the most colorful, spectacular sunrise I've seen yet here in the woods!

Of course, I had to venture out in the frigid cold twilight to capture this vivid sunrise, keep in mind, the coloring in these has not been enhanced, these are true colors.

Same view, I cropped the previous photo.
Here's the same view once again, only about eight minutes later, as more of the sun peeks up over the horizon.

The early bird gets the seed in this case, the first one I saw at the feeder before heading back in the cabin was a Dark-eyed Junco. My granddaughter, Celine, built that feeder out of scrap wood when she was bored one day...she did a fine job!

SURVIVING THE ARCTIC BLAST...BLUE JAYS

BRRRRRR!!!!....Here is where I often wonder if we are truly the fittest of all life on this earth. Survival of the fittest...while I am warm and cozy nesting in this cabin, I think of how all the creatures outdoors flex their will to survive with all their strength. Through the series of storms and bitter cold this past week, I have seen the most activity yet this season around my feeder. As I prepare this post, the actual temperature outdoors is -10 degrees. The wind chill factor brings the temperature to -30 degrees!

I have this fascination with viewing a subject up close and personal. I'm not sure why, maybe to be a little closer to the heart and soul. As I was admiring the woods covered in snow on a dreary day, I stood at my back window gazing up the hill behind our cabin. There in front of me, icicles regularly take their form until my husband knocks them down. While I know they can cause damage to the roof, that doesn't stop my love of icicles. They constantly change, and if the sun or moon is in position over the back hill, they glisten all the more. Drip, drip, drip...tempting me, teasing me...hmmm?? Can I catch a drop falling from the icy fingers? After thirty four shots, I finally captured a water drop. My challenge to myself was to NOT use my feature on the camera that will automatically take a succession of shots. I stood there counting seconds between drops in an attempt to meet that challenge. VICTORY!!...now I just let you into the quirky side of me..I know, too much time on my hands!
On the 11th of this month, the night skies over Wishnik Woods were too cloudy to photograph the moon. The night after was another story. This first capture was taken out the same window were I shot the icicles. I had a rough nights' sleep and awoke at 2:20 a.m., there was my old friend waiting for me in the sky.
These next two captures were taken a few hours later at 5:oo a.m. in the same morning....except this time I braved the cold. I took my tripod outdoors and sturdied it in the snow. The atmosphere was very hazy with a good dose of cloud cover. Perhaps that explains the overall softness to these photographs.
Just a sliver shy!

JUST ACT NONCHALANT...

Having my kitchen window facing this tree is a real treat for me. It gives me so many photographic opportunities, especially in this cold weather. As I watch the various birds going about their business, sometimes I'll find that one or two are watching me. This Tufted Titmouse was quite amused with what I was doing as it peered into my window. The tree is very close to the cabin, there's no need to use my zoom. I often wonder what thoughts are going through their little heads as they take in my activities. Here the Titmouse is acting nonchalant as it glances over its' shoulder. After a short time it mosies on over to the feeder...

Then it turns to look at me as if to say.....yes, can I help you? Then just a few feet back over to the tree branch...

I've got my seed , do you mind?...
The heck with her! I'm eating.
Here the Cardinal is surely thinking....is she looking at me?

Yes, she is...doesn't she have anything better to do?

Half of this tree had it's first date with the chainsaw, we're hoping that will do the trick for awhile to maybe buy it a little more time. The tree is in such sad shape, I'm sure it will eventually need to come down. But for now, it hosts some of my favorite entertainment during the winter. The best part is, I don't have to leave the cabin for a front row seat, even these photos were taken from inside. As I'm typing this post our winter storms are beginning to roll in, that's O.K., I've got my kitchen window!

AN AWARD... FOR ME?!

What a nice surprise! I received this award from Anne over at Peek-A-Boo Street! I'm taking the lazy way out and giving you the shortened version of this award. It is a friendship award meant to be given to deserving fellow bloggers that reach out and touch other bloggers. Even though we have never personally met, each and every one of you I consider a friend here in Blogdom. Your visits and comments can make an otherwise so-so day a very happy one! With that being said, Let me take this opportunity to once again thank all of my regular guests and even the new ones, for stopping by my simple blog. I've learned so much from all of you. If you would like the proper intent of this award in text...please pop over to Annes' blog at Peek-A-Boo Street. She's a warm, friendly and upbeat woman who has alot to share in her corner of the world. You'll enjoy your visit!

The recipient of this award is to pass it along to eight other deserving bloggers. In my opinion, all of my guests deserve this award. There are a few guests that I would like to pass this on to, yet I don't think they are really into the awards( you know who you are!). Here is where I am bending the rules somewhat, I've chosen my eight....but...if you know anyone deserving of this award, feel free to copy it and pass it along. Drum roll, please.......

Lona....Hocking Hill's Garden

Patsi....Garden Endeavors

Vicki....Havenwood

Sunita....The Urban Gardener

Katarina....Roses and Stuff

Kat....Wolfdancer Creek

Jan....Thanksfor2Day

Shellmo....Northern Michigan Experience

Thank you, Anne, so very much for thinking of me!! Congratulations to you as well!!

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!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!...

Here's to new beginnings...and a new camera! Nikon Coolpix p80

I sure hope it's a great new year for all of us!