Solitaire

On February 19, 2021February 19, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

A Townsend’s Solitaire foraging for Juniper berries as February rolls along.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Hypnotized

On February 16, 2021February 15, 2021 By Mike and Christy5 Comments

Instead of the usual scolding I almost got hypnotized by this Red Squirrel.

Look into my eyes he said, from now on you will feed the squirrels and not the birds.

It was so close all I could think about was putting a bog of peanuts on the grocery list but he couldn’t help himself and started with his squawking.

Minus Minus

On February 15, 2021February 15, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

Up until about a week or so ago our winter had been mild and somewhat dry. Well, all that changed in the drop of a hat as last week was a minus minus week. Minus at night and minus during the day as well. And while it was frigid the good thing about cold compared t heat is that you can bundle up and get out and enjoy the snow and silence that accompanies a frosty day.

While morning temperature were hovering near -20^o F, afternoons seemed downright balmy at -8⁰F, and, hey, the sun was peeking through at times. We ventured up a local trail enjoying a gentle uphill which actually had us unzipping our jackets. It was just warm enough to pull out the phone and snap a few pictures and soak in the quiet of a cold cold day.

A distant view as the clouds make way for sunshine that while bright and crisp did not warm our face.

A familiar friend lies across the creek accumulating snow. All in all a wonderful week and this week is forecast to be a minus plus…with snow to boot.

It never ceases

On February 9, 2021February 8, 2021 By Mike and Christy3 Comments

To amaze me just how beautiful a Northern Flicker is.

So much to look at, think about and just marvel over. Well, we better get back to look as we have more than the usual number of these amazing birds visiting our little patch this year.

Hope your week is going well.

Winter Bunn 2021

On February 8, 2021February 8, 2021 By Mike and Christy7 Comments

After a light snow the prior evening bunny tracks lead to a spot under a small spruce tree that was somewhat protected from the light snow that was now falling and much to ur delight we found her. Winter Bunn 2021 is her name on from what we have observed the lone Rocky Mountain Cottontail in our vicinity. Some winters there are many, some winters there are few and this winter she appears to be the only one.

In the short time between seeing her hop into sight the snow flurries intensified into a snow shower and even under the protection of the spruce the flakes began to accumulated on her fur.

In a matter of minutes her face became covered with snow and she seemed to be taking it quite in stride.

Now that her face was coved with s now she said enough is is enough an hopped away through the snow to the a thick stand of junipers that provided better protection.

Stretch!

On February 3, 2021January 31, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

One of our favorite companions reaching for just a nibble of long dried out bitter nightshade berries. We are glad to have Bunn around and thankfully avoiding the predators as winter moves along.

When winter is winter.

On January 19, 2021January 19, 2021 By Mike and Christy4 Comments

Sun behind clouds and the snow a shade of blue.

When winter is winter there is nothing you can do.

Black-billed Magpies

On January 15, 2021January 16, 2021 By Mike and Christy13 Comments

A Black-billed Magpie rests on a fencepost while over a dozen and perhaps more other Magpies feast on a Mule Deer Carcass nearby. In our neck of the woods Magpies are shy and typically fly off well before we can get a camera pointed on them. This day their attraction to the nearby feast overshadowed thier reluctance of humans and we got to observe them close-up for a significant amount of time.

We seldom see the blue in the eyes of magpies but this day was an excepting.

Seven Black-billed Magpies keep an eye out on a Corvid relative the Common Raven who also had an interest in the nearby Mule Deer carcass. Needless to say, a seven to one advantage kept the meal out of reach for the Raven.