a Puzzle

Do you know what you are looking at? I bet somebody does.

the Wolf

The Full Wolf Moon sets over the Black Hills

44N 103W

7:15 AM  

1/19/11

the Utilities

They have everything all flagged out. This is the north corner of our yard, absolutely no idea what they are up to. Or even who they are.

dear Turkeys,

Can you tell me exactly where you are going? You seem confused, do you need a map or a compass?

...and here they Come

Sometimes they are the "bully boys",  sometimes up to mischief, but not today, just lookin' for lunch.

aw, Nuts!

Waiting for the blue jays.....

winter Scallops

Curious as to why the ice formed along the edge of the creek this way.

winter Sheep

Sometimes you have to give up and take them off, you can't take the picture with furry mittens in the way. I don't part company with them for just anything!

winter Roses

they were lovely in June, but on a snowy and cold January day they may be even more so....

bathers, Beware

You might just freeze your little feathered fannies if you take a bath this morning!

pacific Panic

Odontocidium "Pacific Panic"

A present from my friend, Mary.

Welcome, small orchid.

You are brave.

It was -4 this morning when you chose to open.

snug as a bug in a Rug

...on a January night when it is -0, I hope so.

Not all ladybugs are “ladies.” There are both male and female ladybugs. So how did they get their name? In the Middle Ages, European farmers were grateful to the little beetles for saving their crops from plant eating insects. They believed the way the ladybugs ate those insects (probably aphids) was a miracle that came from God in answer to their prayers. The Catholic farmers of the time named the insect for Mary, the mother of Jesus, who is known as “Our Lady.”

treasures in the Mailbox

I love it when January comes with cold and snow, only because with it come the GARDEN CATALOGS!

a personal challenge and a Project

This is my youngest daughter, she is a college student and photographer. She has set herself a challenge to do a 365 day post on her blog Sans Parallax. She has selected 365 adjective/noun pairs and is photographing something daily to illustrate each one. I am fascinated with her vision and view, take a look, you might be too.

www.sansparallax.blogspot.com

cranberry/Orange

Cold days at the feeders bring all kinds and varieties of diners. These fellows are both male house finches, the typical cranberry/raspberry color and a less commonly seen orange variant. It is only 15F at noon today, so there are lots of visitors in for lunch.

umm...flying Fish?

Canyon Lake is a popular fishery for trout whenever the water is open. Somebody had a big OOPS, and caught a honey locust branch about 15' in the air, rather than a tasty treat for dinner.

:o)

january Gold

People often mistakenly think they have a "new" bird in their yard or at their feeder. When it is in truth, it is the familiar American goldfinch who has been there all along.

The catch is that the male "wild canary" changes his brilliant dandelion and ebony breeding plumage to a softer hue.

He more closely resembles his Mrs. than his glorious June self.

the lacemaker's Art

from Claeys Antiques website

Sample antique Belgian bobbin lace (circa 1920)

Sample Bedroom window lace (circa 2011)

first of the Year

The South Dakota birding community does a fun tally on our Yahoo! listserv. People post their FOY (first bird for the year), the first bird seen in the New Year to begin this year's list. All of us hope it is something cool, not a pigeon or a starling. My first visitors were a band of 6 chickadees after sunflower seeds the morning after the blizzard and 2010 ended. They are always most welcome.

Happy New Year 1/1/11

With wishes for a bright, healthy, happy and prosperous New Year to all.