Shivery Spikes

Drip!

Key Cat

This is Key Cat.

She is visiting us.

She loves to play with fake mice.

And watches the birds on BIRD TV.

She watches several different channels.

She also prowls the Christmas tree forest,

Investigates incoming bags & boxes.

And monitors the mystical water fountain.

Underwater Window

I found this clearing in the snow on the creek.

The ice forms a window into the underwater world.

 

Christmas Greetings

There has only been one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries.         W.J. Cameron

Shelter in a Storm

Although most wild animals we see in winter have fur or feathers

to keep them warm, that's not always enough.

Some animals create their own shelter by burrowing in to the ground.

Others utilize what Mother Nature and man provide.

Here's some shelters I found on the farm.

Winter Solstice Moon

This year a full moon with an eclipse occurred on the winter solstice, 

the shortest day of the year.

We had snow & clouds, so I missed the eclipse,

but here's a shot of the full moon.

From the Old Farmer's Almanac:

The Full Cold Moon; or the Full Long Nights Moon – December During this month the winter cold fastens its grip, and nights are at their longest and darkest. It is also sometimes called the Moon before Yule. The term Long Night Moon is a doubly appropriate name because the midwinter night is indeed long, and because the Moon is above the horizon for a long time. The midwinter full Moon has a high trajectory across the sky because it is opposite a low Sun.

Snow, Snow & More Snow!

We've gotten 15 inches of snow in December.

Our average snowfall for December is 6.3 inches.

So today I'm posting snow photos. (Surprise!)

The pasture

The horse barn

Ridge Trail

Snowy Bittersweet

Snowy fluffy weed

Snowy wild grapes

Snowy fence roll

Stay warm!

Possum Tracks

While hiking today,

I came across these strange tracks.

The snow is too deep to distinguish the footprints.

But I believe those are tail drags.

The tracks led to this hole.

I think I was tracking an opossum.

 

Winter Birds

With the abundant and continued snow cover,

I've had lots of visitors to my feeders.

Blue Jay

Carolina Wren

Downy Woodpecker

Female Cardinal

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Mourning Dove

Tufted Titmouse

Black Capped Chickadee

White Breasted Nuthatch

Darked Eyed Junco

American Goldfinch

Woody Woodpecker

 

A Pileated Woodpecker visited my feeder today.
These guys are BIG woodpeckers and striking!

Footprints & Tracks

Winter presents the opportunity to "see" who's walking in the woods.

Here's who's roaming our countryside.

Whitetail Deer

Squirrel

Opossum

Raccoon

Coyote

Heron

Mouse or vole