sunrise...

Sorry, for the lack of posts this week we have been busy doing some home improvement projects and I haven't been taking photos. There has been a lack of sunshine as well so the opportunities for outdoor shots is lacking, this morning's sunrise was gorgeous but by the time the sun rose fully it was once again hidden behind gray skies. At least January is almost done and we are that much closer to spring!

beautiful boys...

On Friday, we had bitter cold and 25-30 mph winds making for a very blustery day. A group of redpolls sought refuge in my yard and the GREAT thing is that there are beautiful boys in the group!







I sure hope they stay around a while as they make January a lot more bearable. At this time of year, I take all my photos through the window and I just had to show this last picture of a bluejay...I can see my house reflected in his eye!

winter beauty...

One of my favorite scenes of winter is when we get a hoar frost. Since the last few days have been filled with sunshine and temps hovering around freezing, snow melt has put lots of moisture in the air. Today we woke up to fog and a heavy hoar frost.I couldn't wait to get out the camera but I had to wait until 11 am for the sun to burn away the fog and bring out the wonder of sunlight reflecting on the frost. The frost flakes were falling from the trees like heavy snowflakes as I snapped away in awe of the beauty of it from a distance and the wonderment of it up close...tiny little crystal leaves perfectly formed. Enjoy these photos and don't forget to click on them for the enlarged views.












I was not the only one enjoying the beauty...

time flies...

My firstborn is celebrating a "milestone" birthday today!
Happy Birthday Nathan!
We love you and all that you have accomplished in your life, but how can you be this age? That would make dad & I old...but we still feel like we are your age! I love how you have grown into a best friend and not just a son...I love how this next year will be one of the happiest yet...as we see you marry and have all the wonderful adventures couples have. It is such a joy to see all the happiness Tammy has brought into your life. May this birthday bring you much love and joy! Love, Mom & Dad

Joseph, Johnny and ?

This morning I watched as first Joseph came in for a corn breakfast...and soon Johnny followed.
Johnny climbed over some branches to get to the bigger side of the corn pile...


when suddenly he became spooked and took off into the grove.
Joseph raised his head in alarm and...
suddenly I saw the reason.
Hershey is staring to patrol the yard more and more by himself as the older dogs sleep away the day in the garage.
It's a good thing Johnny is extremely skittish and Joseph is just plain smart so I have no fear that Hershey will get them.
I've been lack in posting to the blog. I have a new computer with windows v*sta installed and it is driving me nuts. I'll be typing away and all kinds of things happen. I don't think I can type a paragraph with out numerous windows opening...if I touch the h - history pops up, new tab windows open up continously and I don't know why. Is anyone else frustrated? I am not purposedly doing anything but there must be a whole new set of shortcuts out there that I don't know about and typing something as simple as this last paragraph has opened three windows!

Brrr.rrrrr.rrrrr!

This morning's temps are cold as you can see it is 29.3 degrees below zero! It is so cold that the inside edges of our windows are frost covered leading to the inside temp also showing very cold. Thankfully the furnance is running and we have the rest of the house heated to 70. After seeing that cold temp I sat in the chair and waited for the sun to come up to see the first bird to brave the cold and come to the feeders. I thought I saw movement out in the dark and lo and behold this sparrow was sitting out on the feeder in the dark!As it began to lighten the juncos and goldfinches arrived on the scene and I could see the frost around their eyes.
By the time the sun was fully up all the feeders became busy...with squirrels...
and bluejays...
nuthatches and...
goldfinches...
and more juncos.
The rabbits, fox squirrels and a few hen pheasants are here as I type this entry. Stay warm!