Migrating Cranes

With the weather turning colder,

the sandhill cranes are migrating further south.

Frosty Mornings

Christmas is over & flu season arrived.

I was under the weather for a few days but finally felt well enough to venture outside.

The weather is turning much colder and we've had some frosty mornings.

It won't be long before winter arrives.

Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Freezing Up

Below freezing nights are causing the creek to form ice sculptures.

The Wonder of Christmas

Part of my Christmas decor includes a miniature house with reindeer that run around it.

The grandkids think its delightful.

Cat in a Box

Cats love boxes.

Tilly decided this box was just right.

Christmas Fern

Christmas ferns stay green all winter and the leaves are shaped like tiny stockings.

Working on a New Space

I noticed lots of woods chips near the trail, 

then discovered this new hole.

Probably a pileated woodpecker working on a new space.

Blending In

The deer have grown new winter coats and they blend in with the bark on the trees.

Starting Them Early

Youngest grandson, Maverick, has seen me riding and working the horses.

After overcoming his initial fear of the huge animals,

he has actually ridden.

And enjoyed it.

He's an astute observer and enjoys putting the horses in the barn, 

just like grandma.

But he loves doing fencing, setting up different arrangements
 of fencing and checking out how it works. 

A true cowboy in the making.

Red, White & Prickly

Winter Forest Floor

A Year at the Overlook

 January

 February

 March

 April

 May

 June

 July

 August

 

 September

 October

 November

 December

Small Town Christmas Parade

Sunday was the Christmas parade.

Small potatoes, but we enjoyed it.

We have the obligatory tractors.

All sizes & shapes of police & emergency vehicles

The roller skating Santa, a perennial favorite

Certain celebrities who will remain nameless.

And, of course, Santa

Give Thanks

Blending In

Season's First Snow

Silent Watcher

Jack Frost Was Here

Arctic Blast Coming

An arctic blast is headed our way.

However this morning dawned warm & clear.

Time for one last ride.

A solid gold trail horse!

Horse Tails

We are ready for winter.

Braiding prevents snowballs from forming on the ends of the tail hairs, 

pulling them out.

Gotta save those lovely tails!

Weeds

The color is gone from the woods.

But we have interesting weeds poking toward the sky.

Even weeds can be appealing.