Brrrrrrr

17° this morning!

Happy Thanksgiving

From my house to yours

I'm thankful for my healthy family, including the addition of two new  grandchildren this year.  

Maggie born 11/3/10

Ryan born 9/15/10

I'm also thankful I live in a beautiful natural place and that I have the freedom to enjoy it daily.

And thankful that I have wildlife right outside my door to enrich my life.

And I'm thankful for my followers that share these experiences with me.

Thanks for joining me!

Majestic Buck

So far, he's escaped the hunters.

Gettin' Out of Dodge!

We're leaving town.  See ya next week, when we aren't so popular!

Onyx

Onyx and his owner visited the ranch for a trail ride.
I couldn't resist snapping this picture when he peeked out of the trailer before they left.

On High Alert

Hunting season is underway and the deer are wary.

Head, Noses, Ears & Tails......

(Sung to the tune of Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes)

   

Standing Your Ground

Jasper & a coyote have a showdown.
Jasper won..... 

Kingfisher

I've known we had a kingfisher living along the creek,

but had never been able to approach close enough to get a good photograph.

Today, maybe because of the fog, I was able to get close.

He rattled a raspy call at me, but let me snap a few pictures.

Once the creek freezes, he'll head south.

Foggy Day

Sometimes fog creeps across the pasture in ghostly patches.

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And sometimes it envelopes everything.

Today we had murky thick fog.

Clouding the views.

And enveloping everything is a blurry mist for a totally different perspective.

Common Critter Sightings

 Golden Crowned Kinglet

 House Sparrows

 Song Sparrow

Starlings in a row

 

Red tailed Hawk

 Watching eyes

Mouse in the Woodpile!

(It may not mean much to you, but to Brody, its the difference between a good day and a great day!)

 Hey!  I smell a mouse!

 Yep, definitely a mouse.

 Now where did he go?

 I know he's in here somewhere.

Gotta get the mouse.  Gotta get the mouse.....

Nests

The birds are done nesting, and with all the leaves down, 

I can see the nests they've left behind.

Some are neat and tidy, held securely together by mud.

Others are little more than a pile of sticks.

Checking the bluebird house reveals its nest.

I've found nests that are hidden on the ground.

And seen all types materials used, such as this balloon string.

And lichens.

Horsehair seems to be a popular choice.

This one is a favorite, since the maker used hair from all 3 of my horses.

This one seems to be made with cattail down.

And I've found a different kind of nest too, 

A hornet nest