Posts from the ‘Nature’ category

We interrupt this regularly scheduled programming…

I have fallen in love with Leesa’s photography and the aura of gentle goodness at her site: Peace of my mind

Today, she posted “My Little Rocky” aka Rocky, the Flying Squirrel

When I was something around pre-teen, my family took care of a flying squirrel. I don’t remember the exact circumstances, but he was “Rocky” naturally (Rocky and Bullwinkle….) …oops, he was “Pocket” because he liked to be in a Pocket (my mother took care of him for a Sunday School student of hers who couldn’t take him when he went off to college. Peter originally got Pocket from camp which was overrun with the squirrels) and my memory is of being locked in the bathroom with him while his cage was being cleaned and of him swooping around the bathroom and eventually climbing up the inside of my pajama leg :) ! It was an incredible experience and wonderful memory. (My mother writes that I screamed….)

I had no idea there were flying squirrels in Montana before seeing Leesa’s photo. Despite squirrels giving Karl fits, I may just have to put a feeder up and check it in the wee, small hours…

Spring Woods

Yesterday, Karl and I walked on the 40 acres of State Land woods adjacent to my rear property boundary. We were fortunate this winter to get out there a lot, walking on top of wonderful snow that covered all the weeds, burrs and downfall. But, it was nice to smell that spring ground smell as the grass and dirt and trees warm up and come to life with most of the snow gone.

Bob was waiting near the house, somewhat hidden in the grass. The sun was warm and he looked like he could barely keep his eyes open.

Karl picked a cooler spot – in the snow, in the shade – for his post walk nap. He can hardly keep his eyes open either. We took our time in the woods. The grass will grow high and new weeds, new burrs will make it more difficult to walk out there during the summer.

Spring Woods – very pleasant!

An interesting Spring

Ha, this bird I KNOW! Pileated Woodpecker aka “Woody the Woodpecker” if you are of my vintage. And in real life, they can be as much of a troublemaker as the cartoon. They are interesting and large and not all that skittish. I didn’t see this one until I was within 6 or 8 feet and may not have noticed had he not chattered at me in what sounded like irritation. Karl was some ways away so I just stopped and spoke back. He went about his business ignoring me while I got the camera out.

My pileated woodpecker story is that one day after patching about 8 holes in my guesthouse and barn made by pileated woodpeckers, I headed to the Swan River Nature Trail for a walk with Karl. Along the way a group of 6 people were crouched down with binoculars looking at something. I leashed Karl and we quietly approached to find out what they were watching…pileated woodpeckers!! They were a bird watching group from the midwest, all excited to see their first. I didn’t share their excitement…

But yesterday, having not left the property since the previous Friday and feeling like I just wanted to see another human being, I headed to Bigfork and the lake with Karl. Surprisingly there was little snow in the valley. I must be sitting right at the snowline. Although, the muddy brown of very early spring along with the blackened piles of snow from parking areas is not extremely attractive, it was nice to see more ground. Despite a brisk wind off the lake it felt warmer than I expected. Karl and I dawdled around the beach and then the cliff area we like.

This squall was making its way across the lake to the south. Squalls like this one passed through at my house off and on yesterday, but by mid-afternoon it cleared, warmed up and everything melted.

This morning, though, another fresh inch of snow coated everything. It is an interesting “Spring”.

*The woodpecker photos are also from our walk at the lake yesterday, although I see them in my woods quite often.

More visitors

While working this afternoon 3 or 4 birds flew into the sunroom/office windows in fairly short succession. While not completely unheard of for a bird to hit one of the windows, it doesn’t happen all that often. After the 3rd or 4th hit, I started looking around.

The yard was full of these guys – not a sharp photo as they don’t sit still! Despite the fact that I have a recent edition of Peterson Field Guides: Western Birds, I have not yet identified a bird correctly on this blog. But, going out on a limb (hee!), I think these are finches, specifically White-winged Crossbill Finches. I await correction… They are tiny – about nuthatch size although the more rounded shape of a gold finch, smaller than a junco.

I’m not a bird watcher per se although I love watching the birds of prey and hummingbirds and it has been interesting to see birds on their migration spring and fall.

Bob was interested.

That is a tail in mid-thwap.

Visitors

Karl was inside when a small herd of white-tailed deer visited yesterday afternoon. They eat the mossy stuff on the downed branches in the yard and woods. If Karl is not out to keep them away, they come right to the house and I will look up from working to see…

I think these were last year’s fawns – still small and hanging together.

Mr. Buck getting a start on this year’s antlers. I’d love to find his shed! I know they shed early in the year and I have not yet found any in my walks in the woods…maybe this year.

Meanwhile, Mr. Karl studiously avoided looking at me AND outside at the deer. Once the deer are acknowledged, he must do something about them and I think he sometimes doesn’t feel like it so he comtemplates his toes instead.

First Day of Spring

Happy First Day of Spring! I know – that doesn’t look like Spring. It was in fact, the last day of Winter…yesterday. Yesterday, was sunny and 40ish and I had errands in Bigfork, so we tacked on some beach time. This “beach” will be gone soon. As the snow pack melts and the powers that be allow the lake level to rise, the area that Karl and I enjoy in the winter will be under water. When the snow melts, it is all rocks, so now is the time to really enjoy it!

A beautiful day!

A gaggle of geese sat in the water across the bay. Suddenly, the volume of honking increased. They rose – circled – started forming the V – an incredible sight and sound!

If you have never read or seen the why of the goose behavior: The Goose Story

Picnic tables, campfire rings and camp sites wait for summer. Late Spring through early Fall, people who work nearby come to this park, bring their lunch and enjoy a quiet and peaceful time by the lake. The camping area is beautiful – sites from tent size to a few that will accomodate the largest RV – but all somewhat private with views of the trees and ferns. Paths from the sites, wind through the woods to the rocky shore of the lake. Even in the height of summer, when all are full, it is a beautiful spot.

Today, the first day of Spring, we start letting go of Winter.