The first graders

On October 25, 2019October 23, 2019 By Mike and Christy6 Comments

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These kids made it through kindergarten and are now on to first grade. Elk and mule deer that were only Fawns and calves just a short time ago are heading into winter as the first snows have hit the ground.

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A young mule deer wondering what this white stuff is all about.

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An elk calf ponders their next move just a short time ago when the plants still were rich with green.

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Perhaps a few leaves from this wild rose will do.

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Good luck kids and we hope you make it to second grade next spring.

Happy weekend to all.

One last look

On October 23, 2019October 23, 2019 By Mike and Christy6 Comments

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This year Chippy was a constant companion around the yard. Darting back and forth and to and fro collecting morsels to munch on and them finding the perfect perch to munch them on. We don’t see much of this guy as the temperatures cool and the flakes begin to fly so one last look was in order.

a flies eyes

On October 16, 2019October 15, 2019 By Mike and Christy6 Comments

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It is always a surprise when we look closely and find a flies eyes attached to what we thought was a bees body. Using Batesian mimicry to look like a bee when your really a fly a bee-fly mimic and yellow-jacket mmimic enjoy a sip of nectar from a late blooming sedum plant.

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It is always a surprise and reason to take a closer look at the insects in the garden.

Hey Daddy-O

On October 14, 2019October 15, 2019 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

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Hey daddy-o what’s up?

Just hanging out enjoying the flowers in the garden.

“Daddy Long Legs belong to a family of spiders Pholcidae, commonly known as cellar spiders, daddy long-legs spider, granddaddy long-legs spider, carpenter spider, daddy long-legger, vibrating spider and skull spider, is a family of araneomorph spiders first described by Ludwig Carl Christian Koch in 1850. It contains over 1800 species divided in 94 genera.”

Given the huge number of species might explain why we see them running about everywhere in the yard and often in the house all the time.

One nut at a time

On October 9, 2019October 9, 2019 By Mike and Christy14 Comments

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Working their way through a pile of sunflower seed one nut at a time. We love having the Red Breasted Nuthatches around as company. By mid-October most of the migrating species have flown the coop for warmer climates but these little guys stick around all year long. Everything about them from their song to their perky behavior helps to brighten even the cloudiest day.

Seeing time

On September 17, 2019September 17, 2019 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

Time

Colors and textures telling time.

Time measured on a bigger scale.

Time without time.

Like fingers

On September 12, 2019September 11, 2019 By Mike and Christy12 Comments

A wonderful and unusual fungus growing like fingers from the earth along the path of old tree decomposing lying just below the earths surface.

There were several cluster each with a wonderful beauty that made us ponder life myriad forms. Each form with a place and each important to the whole.

The diversity of life is natures greatest gift.

Pearly Everlasting: Anaphalis margaritacea

On September 9, 2019September 9, 2019 By Mike and Christy10 Comments

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The understated beauty of Pearly Everlasting is something in and of itself. A beautiful wildflower that attracts several species of butterflies most notable the Painted Lady. Simple yet elegant, rustic yet refined, perhaps everything a wild wildflower should be.

Two of a kind

On September 2, 2019August 25, 2019 By Mike and Christy13 Comments

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Two of a kind…..Not the best hand to hold in a poker game but I will take this pair any day.

Above a beautiful purple Sticky Geranium brightens the trail…

…while below is its relative the Richardsons Geranium.

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Two of a kind and a fine pair to encounter on a walk through the woods.

The big box

On August 30, 2019August 31, 2019 By Mike and Christy18 Comments

This summers bounty of Indian Paint Brush was like getting that big box of crayons you always wanted as a child. So many colors, so much fun to be had.