March 10, 2016 Change in the weather!

We have just finished a few days of warm weather ~ hitting 40 degrees ~ and making mud.  This was taken just a couple days before the warm days hit.  I love finding the icicles on the shore and trying to catch some light on them.   They are always pretty.  Today, however, it is snowing again.  Plus side is, no mud.  I can live with that.

Here is some action from my morning.   The deer had been a bit jumpy all morning so I knew something was around, They all jumped again and I wondered what was up.  This time, I saw the fox coming.   It hadn't been around for over a month, so ~ I didn't have anything handy to feed it.  I just grabbed the container of leftover soup from a couple days ago and brought that out.  My foxes, a few years ago, loved venison soup with barley.   This one ~ not so sure.  He quickly grabbed the piece of meat out of it and chewed it up.  He was really checking out the rest of the "stuff."  By that time, I remembered the bucket of scraps that didn't fit in the freezer ~ and now would!   I wondered if it had started to thaw.  Sure enough ~ so off I went.  Happy fox then!  He was just sitting there, watching me, as if to say ~ you know what I like!   Anyway ~ I hope it is back for a while now.  I quite enjoy having him around and watching the antics of it and the deer.

Here is a shot of him eating some of his "good stuff."  Shadow is in the front, looking this way and one of the "eyebrow" family deer is the other.   We always thought this family grouping of deer we call the eyebrows looked like they had their eye makeup on ~ eye shadow and all.  Thus ~ the Eyebrow family!  Eyebrow, in particular, was getting pretty good at stamping her feet.   They all but ignore the foxes when they are there every day.  Except, of course, when they make a posse and gang up on the foxes and chase them.   Too funny!

Here is a very contented fox with a full belly now.  Nothing like a little good food to make one happy!

Then, there is the little buck fawn splashing in the puddle.  They love Spring when this puddle forms.   There have been quite the deer antics in it this week.  This little guy proceeded to lay down in it and take his Spring bath.  I have never seen that before.   And ~ when it comes to deer, there isn't much I haven't seen!  Just a couple of days ago, the whole flock of bluejays had their bath in this puddle.  They were having a heck of a time.  Life is interesting!  Nature is grand.  Gotta love it!

February 19, 2016 Bah ~ Humbug!

I have just been having fun on what little ice we have on the shore the last few days ~ and, now it's raining!  I have no problem with rain ~ when it's in season.  But, when we have serious rain in the winter, I get perturbed.  No school today.  I suspect they were worried about everything icing up.   The road is icy in the tracks where vehicles have driven today, for sure.  The neighbor kids were out playing in the rain when Betsy and I were out for a walk.   But ~ dang it, it's melting and ruining the good ice and snow!  I guess it's called global warming............

What little ice we do have along the shore this winter has been quite striking.  These ice formations hanging from the trees on the way to the island were just gorgeous.  I didn't get there until afternoon ~ but, I bet they would have been really striking had I been there in the morning with a bit of sunshine on them.

The deer, on the other hand, have been busy running around and jumping just like Spring!  I think maybe they have "spring fever" today.  It's warm.   But, the snow isn't melting yet and there are no puddles to jump in.   One of those two bucks, above, finally lost his left antler this week but is hanging tight to the other.  Tough to lose the antlers and status!  This is true even if you are the biggest buck in the yard.  Antlers trump all!   Even a little spike buck can be the boss if he is the last one standing with antlers.   I've seen it and it's hilarious.   You keep thinking ~ boy, one of these days he's going to shed too and really get his butt kicked.  But ~ it's also amazing how fast things settle down when they are all "equal" again.
Anyway ~ it's being quite a week.  The deer are laying under the trees out of the rain for now.   Until mealtime ~ anyway.  I'm sure the yard will be full in  the usual 2 minutes flat ~ then!
Have a good rainy winter day ~ all!

February 12. 2016 Winter has arrived!

Winter has finally arrived in the valley!  We have finally gotten serious snow and the cold too.   It was a while coming.  I went almost to the very end of January wearing nothing more serious than ankle high hiking boots on my feet!  That is unheard of.  It is for me ~ anyway!   Usually the snow is too deep and my feet get cold.  Neither is fun in hiking boots as a rule.  So ~ I now have trails to break again and get my skiing back underway.  It has been blowing so much after all that snow, I haven't bothered to break trails ~ only to have them all drift in again before I get to go the next day.
Along with the snow fall ~ we get the wolves coming out of the woods to hunt where it is easier going.  Tuesday afternoon, just before 5 o'clock, we saw one going by our driveway on the MVR.  It didn't come up the driveway anyway, which was good.   When I went down there later, he had been marking territory.  Further down he left a good pile in the road.   I started out on my early morning walk with Betsy this morning.  Just past my driveway, he had peed on that same snowbank ~ high up again ~ and just past that, left another pile.  So ~ I knew he was around.  So did Betsy.  Her nose works.   I got a ways down the road ~ Betsy busy playing snowball without a care in the world ~ out of the woods comes the wolf.   I watched it a minute and then turned around and headed for home.  No sense looking for trouble.  I kept watching over my shoulder tho.  A minute later, it was back out on the MVR diddling around.  It finally went into one of the neighbors' yard.   There is a little cat that hangs out there and has managed to avoid all the predators and not starve for at least a couple of years now.   They say a cat has 9 lives.  Well ~ that one must.  I emailed and Facebooked all my neighbors that the wolves were back.  One had seen two of them on the road yesterday at 12:30.  So, yes, it is the season!  Be vigilant if you don't want your dog eaten time of year.   But then, that is pretty much the case year around up here.  I don't think there is a month of the year I haven't seen them.

You will notice by my photos it is also the time of the year for nice ice.  I took this one this morning when I was out and about.  Sometimes, it is nice to find those details.  See the fiery colors in this one. The sun was shining directly on it so it was sparkling!   The one up above is a "bigger picture" style.  This neat ice formations hanging on the trees were too neat!  I took that on the way home from Grand Marais and doing errands.  Days like today, -10 with a sharp wind, my fingers don't hold up too well. Doesn't take them long to freeze.   But, the ice is worth trying for.

I took this one of the neat ice hanging off the old Hovland dock today too.   They were pretty neat a few days ago.  However, with the cold, the bottom drops had gotten a lot bigger and they were reflecting nicely in the water.   I always, always, enjoy the ice formations.
Also, now that we have "winter" again ~ the Hovland ladies are going to get back in to our group that likes to go snowshoeing.  We have our first outing on Thursday next week.  We will definitely have plenty of snow to go tramp around in now.  Then, we go have coffee in Hovland or at one of the homes and visit for a bit before getting on with our day.  We have snowshoed to some pretty fun places in the past winters.  This year, between the damage ice storms did to all the trails and woods in the area and also the fact the warm weather kept many water areas from freezing up properly, we have had a few less places we could go explore without working seriously at it.  Crawling over and under iced down brush on snowshoes isn't fun.  Neither is going through unsafe ice.  SO....we are going on an expedition where we shouldn't have issues with either ~ even if it isn't quite as exciting.   So ~ off to winter endeavors!

Weather Changes ~ January 20, 2016

Yesterday was one of those beautiful sunny days we dream about this time of the year.  If you sat by the window, you could feel the heat from the sunshine streaming through.  Nice.  After so much gray ~ I was ready for that.  Betsy and I headed down the shore to this area to take some photos, explore, and just enjoy the lake on a sunny day.  Jeez ~ it felt so nice.  The wind wasn't howling either ~ even better.

We headed west first of all.  We hiked the ice and snow covered shore until we got to where the houses start.  Then, we headed the other direction until we did the same.   It was so pretty it would have been fun to just sit on the beach and enjoy it.  Betsy wouldn't have minded.  She is always up for something.  These days, if she has an ice ball or a stick ~ she's a happy girl.
It is always just fun to walk the shore after all the rough weather we have had ~ just to see what kind of ice sculptures Mother Nature or Lake Superior has made.  They can be some pretty awesome things some times.
Once we got down the shore the other direction, I took some photos of the old fish houses there.  They had a bit of ice covering them also, besides the nice ice on the shore getting there.  My new grippers on my hiking boots worked out nicely.  I walked that slick, shiny ice the whole way down without any issues.  I was still careful, since I don't appreciate taking a tumble and possibly ending up in Lake Superior.  I prefer to pick and choose my own time and place to take a swim ~ thank you.  I don't like breaking cameras either ~ because of nasty tumbles.  So far, so good!

Now, when I got up this morning, it was right at 0 degrees.  It was clear and pretty. I could see the sea smoke and clouds down over Lake Superior.    So, I was already thinking about what Betsy and I would do on our adventure today.  Usually, I would have some time at my mother's while playing Scrabble to decide that too.  The table is at the window overlooking Lake Superior so while playing, I can watch all the weather is doing and critters ~ if there are any.   I managed to come down with a really nasty cold late last week, cough and stuffed head, runny nose ~ the works!  ARGH!   I am not enjoying it particularly.  I haven't had one in a couple of years so it makes it all the more irritating to put up with.  So ~ I am not playing my weekly Scrabble game with Mom.  I didn't figure she would appreciate getting my cold either.   In the mean time, it has completely clouded over and is snowing out!  It's just flat gray blah out there with snowflakes!   I guess unless it changes quickly again, Betsy and I won't do anything too terribly exciting today.  But, some days are like that.

Here is one of Betsy out being photographer's helper yesterday.  She really can be quite a ham ~ when she wants to be.  She pays attention to her surroundings ~ most of the time and acts accordingly.  Of course, it probably helps that she has to do that from the minutes she goes outside with me every morning.  We head out the door and there are anywhere from two to ten deer standing right by the basement door.   She has to check her options on which way to walk through them ~ since, they aren't going anywhere.  They are ready for their treats.
A couple of days ago, while putting out the morning treats after her early walk ~ which comes first ~ I got head butted by one of the year and a half old twins of Miz Spectacles.   When I walk around with the 5 gallon bucket of corn, they are backing up in front of me all the way around.  As soon as I stop to put a bit more out, the want first dibs ~ out of the bucket ~ not off the ground.  One  of the older bully does, Plain Jane, who hasn't had fawns in a while now ~ was being her usually crabby self and trying to kick eveyone's butt.  One of the twins jumped back and sort of upward so fast we knocked foreheads together.  I think I felt it more than she did!  Since my face is usually only an inch or so from theirs, I can see that happening.   However, it never has.  I am always more concerned with watching their feet as they have some pretty fancy footwork when they are defending their stuff!  So it goes........a new adventure or experience every day.  When you have critters around, there is always something happening.  
So.........it's still gray and still snowing........time to figure it out!

January Blues! January 14, 2016

This is what I mean by January Blues!  We still are having so many very cloudy days that everything is a shade of blue or gray ~ depending on the day.  The colors make for subtle photography.  But, many of them, with all the ice formations, are still very pretty.  We are still having a good many days with good sized waves on Lake Superior too.
On the other hand, we finally got just enough snow to go cross country skiing.  So, I have been doing that each afternoon and Miss Betsy is trotting ~ sometimes running ~ along behind me.  If it's a level area I generally tell her to go on ahead and run off some steam.  She finally has gotten to understand if we are going downhill ~ she better run fast or get behind.......or, at least out of the way!  :)

The boys still have their antlers and spend a bit of each day half-heartedly pushing each other around.    I always enjoy watching them ~ or listening to their antlers clicking as they scrap.  When you are a deer, there is a definite pecking order.   That must be followed!  Antlers are the key.....the bigger, the better.  If you are a fork horn and the only one left with antlers ~ you rule!  I always think ~ "enjoy it while you can, little buddy!  Your days are numbered!"  Almost without fail, one of the little guys will be the last to shed.

He's showing his best side here ~ to make sure you can see just how magnificent he is.   No one goes and pokes him out of his spot when he is laying down.  Altho, a fawn might come and inspect those antlers!  :)
Out side of deer antics ~ not a lot going on these days to write about.  There are a lot of rabbits around this year.  Evidence of that is obvious each trip out in the woods.  The small popple trees are all nibbled as far as the rabbits can easily reach.  Nicely girdled!  Natural thinning of the too thick young popple trees!!

I will leave you with a glorious ice photo I took on a cold day this week when the sun actually shined.   Being it was below 0, you see lots of sea smoke in the background.  Nothing like a bit of sun to get that nice ice sculpture sparkling.  :)

Happy New Year! January 4, 2016

Another year is starting!  Somehow, it doesn't seem so very different.  The weather is sure staying gray, gray and more gray.   I am so ready for some sunshine for a whole day for several days.
This morning, when I got up it was clear but I could see sea smoke and fog rising from Lake Superior over the hill.  It was 0 degrees so the sea smoke on the lake was to be expected.  I just got out for my walk with Betsy ~ shortly after 7 a.m. when the clouds were already rolling in from the west.  By the time I got home and was ready to feed the deer herd ~ of which everyone was there and waiting because it was COLD out!! ~ it was all clouded over.
By now, you know I like to get out and do photography.  I love winter and ice photos as much as wildlife photography.  But, the weather just doesn't inspire one lately.  However, then I look at the weather channel on TV and decide our weather is ok.  No nasty storms ~ yet!

Here is one I took yesterday of a couple of the antlered bucks sparring.  Hand held ~ trying to keep up with the action on a gray day so it blurred a bit.  But, you get the idea.  They were really digging in here.  These two and one of the little spike-fork horns are all that still have antlers.  The rest have shed already.  It's fun to see them standing peacefully around the yard, nibbling their alfalfa.  However, a bit of action now and then ~ especially this time of year when it isn't serious ~ is fun too.

Here is another shot of them having at it.  They kept this up for over an hour yesterday morning, moving around the yard as they went.  Looks like quite a tangle of antlers here.

Here's the big guy ~ stopping to look at me and pose for a minute.  He's quite the guy and for sure, one of my favorites.  I hope he's around to pass on those magnificent genes for a while to come yet.  
Since he's so busy around here this Fall, I got to hope some of those fawns he makes will be bucks!

Here is one of the 1 1/2 year old twins when I am doing the afternoon feeding.  The alfalfa is out and I have been walking around with the camera this trip.  However, it is difficult to put out feed and take photos at the same time.  This little girl will have her face a couple inches from mine all the way around.  She is my little buddy and is right there all the way around the yard.   Anyway, you see some up close and personals with some of my deer friends.  They are always a joy!  Goes right back to my favorite saying ~ "Ain't Nature Grand!"

Old Friends ~ December 22, 2015

It's starting out to be a good week.  My fox friend is back.  After several years of no foxes around after 4 years of foxes around all the time ~ I was so happy when one showed up this Fall.  Not only did it show up but showed signs of being friends.  So, we got on with developing a friendship.  Then, along came deer season.........  My fox went missing.  I was hoping that it was just out doing what foxes do and cleaning up after what got left in the woods by people hunting.  I was getting concerned.     Then, on Sunday.......Betsy and I were coming back up the driveway after our early morning walk.  There was the fox crossing the driveway and heading for its treat spot.  Betsy and I walked by it and I went in and found a treat.  Yesterday morning, when Betsy and I came back, right on schedule, there was the fox!  It was sitting by its favorite spot, just like it was posing.......waiting for me to notice it and bring it some treats.  I got right on it.  :)  So, hopefully........it is back for the winter now.  I absolutely love having a fox or foxes around.  They sure keep a handle on the voles and mice around the yard.  Speaking of which ~ we were watching it after I gave it treats.  It then went off hunting around the yard.  We both were ready when we saw it setting up for the classic jump in the air and pounce on the mouse trick!  Perfect.  I'd love to capture that on camera some day.  But, as is often the case ~ it was too dark yet for that kind of action shots.  Anyway ~ the fox is safe.

Then, there's this guy.  The Boss.  I love this old friend too.  I took this the other day in a snowstorm and wasn't that far away from him.  I metered the camera on him.  Pure white back ground and snowing.  Well......it looks like a pasted him on a piece of white paper.  But......he looks good so that's what counts.
Story ~ Well.....as you know, I still hunt deer.  I am not ready to give up my venison even tho I have an awful lot of deer friends.  But, it gets more difficult all the time as I will be out in the woods and one of my friends walks up to me out there.  I do not shoot my friends.  Well ~ on Veteran's Day, I had been in from the morning hunting excursion having only seen a few doe friends.  I sat down to check my email when I caught a reflection in my computer screen.  Here he was ~ standing in the window looking for me.  I thought ~ oh my.......It's the first week of deer season and he's back early.  That isn't entirely a bad thing.  However, there are way too many people hunting in this area and I was worried someone was going to shoot my buddy before season would end.  Well ~ luck has been with us.  He made it through the rifle and muzzle loader season.  He is quite the majestic buck.  He is definitely the yard boss.  I sure enjoy watching the antics of him out here.  And ~ even better.  He mated with one of Shadow's daughters so I know his genes are passing on to someone I know and can watch this year.  :)  More wonderful bucks!  Well ~ that we don't know.  She might have girls!  Shadow is now 8 1/2 years old and she has had only 1 buck fawn all these years.  I can wish.
Then, when I was out putting alfalfa out this morning, another younger big, majestic buck came strolling into the yard.  He is looking good too.  So......with the shortage of bucks around and knowing quite a few got got in the vicinity.....it's nice to see old friends back that survived another season.  Soon, he too was at the basement door wanting some "baby" corn.  That is our nickname for the cracked corn Shadow and some of the special pets like.  But.....that includes a couple of the big guys who really like it too ~ rather than chew that big, whole corn.
Anyway ~ I'm off to a good week with my critters.  I will end with a fun one I took of Betsy down on the neat ice formations on the shore of Lake Superior yesterday.  It has gotten really good ratings from friends and photographer friends alike.  Now.....had it only been sunny to highlight that nice ice..........