February 5, 2013 Days are getting longer.....

Last night I was out chasing sunsets on Lake Superior again.  When I was up on the ridge for my late afternoon walk with Toby, I could see a light haze over the west horizon and a few interesting clouds.   It wasn't a lot; but, no heavy grey clouds which means no color up.  Well....as you can see, by the time I got to a spot that works, there is that narrow heavy grey cloud.....just enough to keep from getting a beautiful evening sky.  There was a bit of color banding on the horizon, but not much.
That's the way the ball bounces....unfortunately.   You just can't always predict the sunrises or the sunsets.  You can just look at what seems to be there that may do it and go for it.  If you stay home, you may see a beautiful sky, but you won't have any nice scenery to put in the foreground.  It was a lovely evening on the beach with Toby, at any rate.  He was pretty relaxed as we had done our usual early morning walk....at -23 degrees below 0.  We went to Horseshoe Bay and had a little expedition at mail time.

Here is Horseshoe Bay at noon, yesterday.  I am in the corner of the bay where the creek comes in.  You can see it flooded up pretty nicely with that recent rain.  The ice has set in the bay out to the end of each point.  The ice was flocked with frost crystals and looked very pretty.  By later in the day, I saw the ice had gone out of all the big bays and was only left in the smaller bays.  But, if you are up on top of a hill, you can see the big ice packs as far as you can see.    So....since February is starting out cold, we may still get ice.  Last night, it snowed 2-3" so everything is white and fluffy again.

It was also a very pretty day for taking shadow photos.  I always find these fun.  But, it is actually more fun even later in the afternoon when the shadows get twice as long.  They make some fun pictures when they stretch out like that.
In the late afternoon, Toby and I headed out again for our afternoon adventure.  That is when I started paying attention to what the sky was doing.  It did look very promising.  So, we got home, loaded the gear, and off we went.  By now, it was up to 10 degrees.  That beats -23 degrees all to heck.  But, it is still pretty cold on the fingers.  I haven't found gloves that I can work the camera with yet....so, thus.....freezing fingers syndrome by the time you get done.  They barely had thawed out by the time I got home.  Toby....on the other hand, went promptly to sleep on the pickup seat and really crashed with his nose tucked under his paw when we got home.  All that play and no naps makes for a tired boy. 
I will say, tho, that he is "so far, so good" after quitting the antibiotics.  He is perkier and more playful than he has been in a very long time.  He will be 10 years old mid-May.  He was on the antibiotics for two full years.  He probably will never not register positive on a Lyme's test again.  But, as long as it doesn't flare up.....I guess that is the best we can ask for.  He's a happy dog.  :)

I will leave you with a peaceful, heading back to the truck, photo of a lovely late afternoon on the shore of Lake Superior.

February 2, 2013 Lake Superior-Freezing!

I took this photo of Lake Superior this morning on my way back from getting the mail; 11:00 a.m. to be exact.  The big lake, to some, is always "freezing" as far as temperature goes.  However, it is actually trying to set ice.  That is something it hasn't done in this area in a few years.  As a kid, we regularly went skating on Lake Superior.  And.....what fun it was!  Such a nice, wide open expanse of ice, kept polished by the winds.....always made for skating til your ankles felt ready to fall off....or something.  We would get off the bus and always head right down to the lake to get with it.  We  always remembered to have our long plank down on the ice with us.....just in case.  My dad made sure to remind us never....ever....go on that ice without the plank.  We could go out on the ice after 3 cold nights.  Then, it was safe.  I remember when we first started skating on Lake Superior....we would have a lot of false "run for shore" moments because of all the groaning and cracking noises made by the ice.  It rarely froze completely over.  So....wind action caused it to make all kinds of noises.  For a kid......they could be rather intimidating some times.  Of course, there was the evening the wind had started to blow and the ice, quite thick at this point, was starting to break up.  We were busily skating back and forth over the moving cracks.....thinking....hmmmmm....this is kind of neat.  My mother always kept a good eye on us from the house.  She did ask us, when we got in, if, in fact, that ice was moving.  Well.....it was.....so, kind of hard to say it wasn't.  Kids will be kids!
I did go on Coastwatch, just two days ago, to check the lake temperatures.  It is a handy site to have bookmarked for checking to see if it is worth going fishing part of the year.  Most of the lake was either 34 or 35 degrees.  I saw a spot by Pigeon Bay that said 33 degrees.  So, it is close.  Now....if the wind would die down for a few days......

Here is another shot I took while on the beach this morning.  Lake Superior is pretty dang low these days so there are interesting ice caps on a number of rocks that usually don't have them.  If this continues, I think I will have to get myself out of bed extra early one of these mornings and get some sunrise on the ice photos.  They can be awfully pretty.

Here's one of Toby I took this morning after our little expedition.  The place I stopped was right along the highway and not really a good place for a dog to be out.  So, he had to sit in the truck and kind of keep an eye on me, when he could see me.  He expects to get out and snoop the area when I do these things.  Anyway, we got home and he promptly went and got Casey's old hedgehog and wanted to play.  I got him one of his own, as the grunt in this one died.  However, he likes this one.  I think I have sewed it back up at least 20 times.  A favorite toy is just that!  Keep on sewing....

January 30, 2013 Month is almost gone, already!

It is hard to believe we have already blown through a month of the new year.  I guess it's true....time flies when you're having fun. 
Sunday, I was out hiking the beach of Lake Superior again, looking for something of interest while waiting for a beautiful sunsest.  Well.....as the afternoon progressed, it became very clear that the clouds were getting too heavy for that to happen.  So, we moseyed back toward the truck, after having found this wonderful spot to catch some late day rays.  It was so icy getting to these edge of shore rocks, I had to crawl to get there....both ways.  I couldn't stand on the ice covered rocks and they ran downhill, of course.  Don't want to break bones or camera.  When I crawled back to the snow covered crusty rocks, Toby was waiting to "wowowowow" me.  He never quite understands what I am up to when I do things like that.
The week has been a pretty social one for me.  Seems like sometimes, everything happens at once.  I was supposed to hike with the ladies group last week....lead them actually.....but because it was so dang cold, they postponed til Monday.  It was warm, the snow was packy, and the biggest issue was how to dress so as to not sweat to death that day, while climbing up the hill.  We all did fine, got some serious exercise, and had fun gabbing and them, seeing the views.  After that, we went to our little local store and had beverages and visited some more.  That was kind of fun for a change!  :)
Tuesday, I went and visited another wonderful couple I don't see much any more, since I retired.  We used to have a little visit session each day.   Last week, again, because of cold or snow....someone was busy.  But, I finally got there and got to try some of her wonderful "muffin tops," which kind of look like an oversized cookie.  They were gingerbread and chewy and wonderful.  I may have to look into making some of them myself. 
This morning, I had my usual Wednesday morning Scrabble match with my mother.  We were pretty evenly scoring until half way through the game, when she ended up with all the vowels.  My win today.  Then, we had a good visit and discussed the world problems.  Don't know that we solved them, but we got them covered anyway.
I did manage to do my part, this week, and write my senators from Minnesota and explain to them my point of view on the gun issues.  That seems to be something most of us do more talking about, as a rule, that writing where it "might" do some good.  I made sure to tell them I thought a current comment ..... "gun control isn't about the guns, it's about the control" ......was pretty true.  I discussed what I thought were some of the underlying issues.  I even got a reply from one, already, even if it was rather noncommittal.
Tax forms are coming in.  One other thing to finish up.....bookwork for taxes.  Next on agenda. 
I don't know where the rest of the week will go.....back to the quilt if it gets cold, probably.  But, will leave you with the "almost sunset" photo from Sunday. 

January 26, 2013 Snow, glorious snow!

We woke up yesterday morning to a nice fluffy blanket of new snow.  It seemed to be about 6" in the open areas.  It sure did look pretty out there, everything looking clean and white again.  It also brought the deer out in larger numbers.  When a snowstorm goes through, they generally get in a mood for some serious eating.  You won't find hardly a stem of the alfalfa left on the ground.  It also warmed up to the 10-14 degree range for the day, so it was pretty darned nice outside.  No wind either!  What a deal.

Since it was such a pretty day, Toby and I headed off up our hill again to the Superior Hiking Trail.  There is a decent amount of snow on the trail now.  However, with this newest batch being so fluffy, it was no problem to walk through it, yet, without wearing snowshoes.  Toby didn't even have any problems and it was belly deep for him.  In fact, a couple of times, he broke trail!  It was also a pretty day for taking some panoramic views that are to be seen from up on top of the hill.

Here is one view from atop the hill.  It is one of the overlooks on the Superior Hiking Trail where you can see the next ridge south before getting to Lake Superior too.  The big white space is part of the creek/beaver pond area east of my house where I go skiing on a regular basis.....when we have snow!
It is a gorgeous spot at any rate....one I never tire of seeing.

I will leave you  with one more....you see Toby in distance at end of tracks....of where we hit the top of the hill.  This is the area where the Superior Hiking Trail crosses our property.  It is a lovely spot and a nice place for my trail to join it.  I will tell you,  I was breathing a little harder yesterday when I hit the top.  With new snow to slog through and my camera gear in a packsack so it didn't fill up with snow, I did have a bit more weight than usual.  But, getting the heart rate up isn't a bad thing.  I sure notice how much easier it is to climb that hill in the summer in running shoes and light clothes tho, than in winter with all the extra gear and boots on.  :)

January 24, 2013 It's still winter!

It's still winter out there!  It was -20 degrees again this morning.  However, it did make it all the way to 2 degrees today.  That's a heat wave, this week.  I am hoping for a lot more interesting ice formations to start forming on Lake Superior with the cold weather hanging on these last few days.  I so enjoy walking the beaches looking at what nature has created.  We haven't had any serious ice on Lake Superior in a couple of years now.  That does limit what forms on the shores.  However, a couple of other photographers have managed to find some pancake ice in a couple of the local coves.  I love that stuff.  It is so photogenic. 
Toby and I had another long walk this afternoon.  The wind settled down and it has been trying to make some snow.  However, it is so light and fine, it hasn't amounted to anything.  Our serious hike with the ladies in the community got postponed until Monday.  So, I don't mind if we don't get measurable snow until after that.  I walked the whole route I plan to take them yesterday.  It wasn't bad going at all for late January.  They would snowshoe, they say.....however, they haven't seen the route.  I suspect if we got half way up the hill on snowshoes, that would be as far as most of them would be willing to go.  I have done that route on snowshoes and it ain't easy!
Now that I have a bit more time on my hands.....I have been thinking about trying to find some new and interesting place to go do some winter photography too.  Of course, it has to be in the general area I live.  I'm sure there must be something someone has overlooked over the years.  I just haven't figured out, yet, what or where it is. 
I, along with some of the others whose blogs I read, have even been trying more new recipes lately.  Some of them have been pretty tasty too.  I sure am thankful for all the vegies I put up this summer too.  I was hearing on the news that the prices of a number of the green lettuces and spinach were going sky high because of bad weather.  I do like my salads! 
Back to projects!  :)

January 22, 2013 It's COLD out there!

Not a great photo....but, birds don't necessarily cooperate just because you want them too....and getting them to sit on the railing when the sun is in the right place doesn't usually work either.  It was cold and they were hungry.  But, it was that kind of a morning.  It was a full -30 degrees below 0 at 3:00 when I got up....restless night.....had to get up and walk around a couple of times so I would hopefully settle down and sleep again.  By the time I actually got up at 7:00 a.m. ..... yes, slept in this a.m. because I finally was and knew it was cold.....it was only -28.  Wow!  Winter is here.  I walked around and looked out the windows as the coffee was cooking.  The deer had some of the frostiest faces I had ever seen.  However, it was too dark, yet, to photograph them so it would show.  They were also really fluffed up!  Almost hard to recognize who was who this a.m.

Here is a photo of the heated bird bath this morning.  In fact, that big frosty rim never melted off all day.  Only the red squirrels and the bluejays were managing drinks.  I tried to get photos of them but was never quick enough.  The bluejays are about the only bird who won't let me get close enough in that window to take a good photo of them.  They are too skittish.
I also should have taken a photo of Toby when we came in from our walk this morning, after I fed all the critters.  He had the frostiest face I have seen on him in a long time.
It definitely has been a good couple of days for getting things done in the house tho.  Today, baked cookies and put some venison soup on the stove to cook.  I also had a long walk with Toby this afternoon.  We had to go check out the trail up the hill to see what condition it is in after the snow and wind of the last few days.  I have a group of ladies who want to hike up there and see the views on Thursday morning.  Not til 11:00....so, it will have some time to warm up if it is so inclined.  Trails are still very hikeable without snowshoes on.  So, this is good, I guess.

Here is one of my frosty faced girls after the sun came up a bit.  Most of the frost has melted off her face and back by now.  However, there is still enough to be noticeable.  The little fawn had most all of his off his face by the time I took it.  But, her big stretch was so cute I couldn't resist.

Well, since it made it all the way to -5 today, maybe it won't be quite so cold tonight.  Yesterday my high was -18 with a stiff wind besides.  That  wasn't real pleasant but still ok when dressed properly for it.  I have a big fluffy wolverine fur hat with tail on and all....I wear when it is that cold.  However, it has to come off when I go feed the deer.  They don't like that thing on my head and eyeball me with serious suspicion.  Animals do pay attention.    But then, so do I.  :)

January 19, 2013 It's snowing!

It's snowing, again.  Two days in a row....wow!  We ended up with a decent accumulation, which we are going to need when we drop down in the deep freeze in another day.  They are talking, seriously, about -20 below 0.  Since, only a couple days ago, we had -12 degrees and it never even got to 0 all day, we did have a preview.  However, it has been pretty mild, so that is going to feel pretty cold....  especially if we get the predicted nasty wind with it.  We shall see......it is winter!
We got enough snow, yesterday, we finally could ski again.  A friend came over and we hit the trails and left a pretty fine set of tracks.  We have enough snow again, those tracks won't be too evident.
Just as an example, usually the squirrels are running all over the yard on top of the snow.  One of the first ones I saw was really struggling to run across because it couldn't stay on top.  Soon, in a matter of a few minutes, we saw two different squirrels go across the yard, under the snow.  About every 3-8 feet, it would pop its head out, I suppose to see it was still going the right direction, and under and off it went again.  Funny!
The snow also got the wolves out circulating, looking for a meal.  While skiing yesterday, we saw the fresh tracks of a couple over east.  This morning, they were circulating around the yard area again.  My husband saw it.   The few deer that were circulating around, were gone, that fast.
The birds also seem pretty active this morning.  All the feeders are full of bluejays, redpolls, pine grosbeaks, chickadees, nuthatches, and squirrels!  Tis the season.
Besides skiing, looks like another good day to hit the quilt.  Off and at it.......