Winter Tid Bits

My father is in rehab at a local nursing home. The facility is on the edge of farm fields and woods. I sat facing the windows, he was in a corner chair. We were chatting away when I saw movement near the tree line. It is funny, I think all nature lovers can zoom in at an instant when something comes into their peripheral vision. I am not a good judge of distance but it was farther then 2 football fields. Picture that lol.

First there was only one deer that came running out of the woods. The bravest one apparently. About 5 minutes later a whole group came running out to join the first. About 8 total. They all grazed for a few minutes when all gradually walked closer to another tree line and I could no longer see them. My dad couldn't see them and asked me if any had antlers. I told my dad I was lucky to be able to tell they were deer let alone the details. As I was sitting back down in my chair a hawk flew out of the trees. Too far away to tell what kind.

Speaking of hawks, we have had a Cooper's Hawk in our Crab Apple Tree for about a week now. He or she swoops to the tree in the late mornings. This bird is is a medium-sized hawk native to North America. A very pretty bird.

You remember that chipmunk I spoke about in other blogs in the fall? The one that lives under our front porch? The one my hubby wanted to do away with before winter set in? I told him  he isn't bothering anything and minds his own business? Well....apparently the rascal has been in our garage this past winter. We set a mouse trap in the fall in our garage. We caught 2 mice in the early winter  and that was all. Which is the norm. We use peanut butter as bait. Well, this little rascal is pretty agile. He licks the peanut butter, snaps the trap and even carries it around with him in the garage, We have found the trap upside down and in other places then where we placed it. A couple of times I asked my hubby if he moved the trap because it was gone. He said no he didn't. We found it eventually. Spring is around the corner maybe it will find other places to hang out and not get caught.

With all the housing being built around my area and the woods being cut away I no longer have the Great Horned Owl that would sit in my Blue Spruce every night. He sat in that tree for several years every night hooting. I am sad to see it's habitat destroyed. The Great Horned Owl also known as the Tiger Owl, it is a large owl native to the Americas.. It is an adaptable bird with a vast range and is the most widely distributed as a true owl of the Americas. It's Hooting call is recognized anywhere.

 

We still have ice fisherman fishing on the lake. Sometimes cars/trucks are parked in a row in front of  our houses or down in the public parking lot. They are all bundled up. I have never ice fished. It seems to cold to me. I asked one fisherman if he was catching anything. He said Crappie and Blue Gills. YUM!

Looks pretty cold on Juno Lake!

We feed the birds suet, sunflower seeds and thistle during the winter.  At the suet feeder which is right in front of my computer room window, I have seen  the Red breasted Woodpecker, Hairy and Downy woodpeckers, the Red-breasted and White Breasted Nuthatches. Pictures that are in my other blogs and also the Carolina Wren which is such a cute little bird. It is a small bird with  a 4-5 inch wing span. And it's song is beautiful. High and sweet sounding. First time I ever heard it I remember running to all the windows to see what kind of bird sounded so lovely.

This little fellow happily sings in my lilac bushes before it goes to the suet feeder.

Other winter birds at the seed feeder has been, Junco's, the Nuthatches, Cardinals. Goldfinches Chickadees. And others. Blue Jays from time to time. The Sandhill Cranes fly over head and the Mallards, Swans and Candian Geese are still around in any open water of the lakes. It is fun to watch the birds. Sometimes they are so funny. All with their own personalities. Sort of like humans too. Most mate for life, fathers help rear their young, help build the nests and they also squabble with their spouses and also neighbors. Maybe they are humans in anther form ha!

Robins have returned. Not in full force but I have seen a few and one early evening heard some singing near by.

Soon the ponds, creeks and lakes around my house will be full of courting frogs of all kinds. They sing too....for a mate. One of the beautiful sounds of early spring is the frogs calling for a mate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA_eHVxprdI

This link is a great site to hear the frogs.

This fellow lives under our pier all summer

The other day we had a raccoon stop by. Not the biggest I have ever seen but it was healthy just the same. It walked across the lake to the island in front of our house.  Did you know the back yard on water is actually the front yard. Our street is an alley. When we moved here in the papers on the house it said keep the "alley" clear of debris. I asked my hubby what alley were they speaking of. Hence, I found this bit of news out.

One night my hubby was coming home from a meeting. He was just around the corner from our house when he had to stop to let a small herd of deer cross the road. Deer are common around here but it is still exciting to see these beautiful animals. We have lots of wooded areas, farm fields and lakes all around us. I have yet to see a fox, coyote  or wolf here. I actually saw a fox running across the road once after I left my church's parking lot and that was in the city! It was a beautiful red fox.

Typical setting for our deer

Well the sun is out I hear the birds calling I guess I will go outside and enjoy the fresh air.

When spring is here there will be more to write about. Take care