Outdoor Wednesday...

I'm thrilled to be joining Outdoor Wednesday hosted by the blog A Southern Daydreamer. We all know how much I love gardening and the outdoors and what a wonderful idea to view outdoor shots from bloggers across the country every Wednesday. This is the first one and as time goes on, I'm sure more and more will join in. Click on the link to her blog to find others participating in this fun blogging event.It is bitterly cold here in MN and tonight is predicted to be our coldest night in 5 years. The highs have not reached above zero for the past two days and we are in for at least 48 more hours of continuous temps below zero. That said, I went out to feed the birds this morning with my camera tucked in my coat, by the time I had 1/2 the feeders filled I couldn't feel my fingers even though I had insulated leather gloves on, so I had to go back inside and take my photos through my windows as I do almost all winter. Not immediately either as I had to wait for the numbing pain to go away when cold fingers first start to warm up...most northerners will know what I am talking about. My first shot is of the rock fountain. The heated watering dish is the indentation in the middle of the rock and I wasn't patient enough to wait for a bird to come this morning. The early morning sun was casting fun shadows over everything though.
This second view shows a lone bluejay feeding on corn in the satellite gazebo. I trudged through knee deep show to scatter that this morning.
This shot shows a second bluejay coming in to join the first...it is fun in that he looks suspended in midair and you can see his shadow in the snow.
For those new to my blog through Outdoor Wednesdays...a look at the rock fountain and satellite gazebo taken last June.
It is so cold out that you can see Ruger's breath as he sits in the sun to warm up...
as did this cute little Junco all fluffed up and warming in the sun.
I added to this post after rushing through it earlier this morning because I was headed out on an errand. Living out in flat farmland it is a wide open prairie in the winter and we have lots of wind. The first shot is the drive home (through a dirty salt splattered windshield) as snow drifts across the road.
The second shows the terrain around me...and this last one shows the road leading up to my house. Snow blows in small drifts and hardens and it's a bumpy ride until the next time the plows go through.

a new kid in the garden...

Johnny come lately, the new kid in town
Will she still love you when you're not around?
There's so many things you should have told her,
but night after night you're willing to hold her,
Just hold her, tears on your shoulder

There's talk on the street, it's there to
Remind you, that it doesn't really matter
which side you're on.
You're walking away and they're talking behind you
They will never forget you 'til somebody new comes along
Where you been lately? There's a new kid in town
Everybody loves him, don't they?
Now he's holding her, and you're still around
Oh, my, my
There's a new kid in town
just another new kid in town
Ooh, hoo
Everybody's talking 'bout the new kid in town,
Ooh, hoo
Everybody's walking' like the new kid in town
There's a new kid in town
There's a new kid in town
I don't want to hear it
There's a new kid in town
I don't want to hear it
There's a new kid in town
There's a new kid in town
There's a new kid in town
(Eagles, New kid in town lyrics)Our area of the state is in a winter storm warning today for blowing and drifting snow and dangerous wind chills (-30). It is always amazing how the wildlife sense this and on these days the feeders are extra busy as the birds fuel up. This morning there was a "new kid in town" as a new rooster popped in to feed. Usually only Joseph and the girls come to the feeders and corn buffet. Immediately, this Eagles song came to mind...so may I introduce..."Johnny come lately". Jeff kept commenting on his long tail.
A lone lady was feeding but she gave him the cold shoulder...and we soon saw why as Joseph arrived on the scene.Joseph didn't care for the new kid in town... and even though Johnny thought he was the big guy around here...

Johnny had met his match and soon took off back into the grove.After Johnny was on the scene, even this sparrow seemed like a threat.
As long as the competetion was gone, Joseph took some time to groom himself. For awhile he looked like a headless rooster.

Don't worry Joseph, you're still our favorite!

weekend waysides...

On Saturday I read on the msn homepage this story about the full moon being the biggest moon of 2009. Since it said the moon would appear 14% bigger and 30% brighter I was excited that it was a sunny day and I could go out to see it. Lo and behold, heavy clouds moved into the area in the late afternoon and I was only able to see the moonrise for about 4 1/2 minutes before it disappeared in the heavy clouds. It was huge!
Sunday afternoon, Jeff & I decided to take a drive through the Minnesota River valley and look for wildlife. We were hoping to see some large herds of deer we have been hearing about but we weren't able to spot even one. There were plenty of turkeys out and about though...


At one point a bald eagle flew overhead but I couldn't focus fast enough for a clear shot.
We also saw one redtail flying over the river so I guess we did see some wildlife, just not the ones we hoped for.
At least we some some animals with hooves ;-)

Little Birds...

Most of the birds have gone away
On this cold, dark winter's day
But here are six birds I can see
Looking for something to eat
Little birds, I'll feed you
Till the cold, winter's through
And all your friends come back to play
On some bright and warm spring day.
(author unkown)




Today's activity at the feeders :-)

a tale of three dogs...

It has almost been two weeks since we added a puppy to our dog family. At first Gabi and Ruger didn't want anything to do with her. Gabi still doesn't, but then her health is failing so quickly she doesn't want much to do with Ruger these days either. Ruger is almost 8 years old but has a serious case of Peter Pan syndrome, he never grew up...still a major "puppy" at heart and in his actions. Poor Gabi hasn't felt like playing "puppy fighting/wrestling" for ages but yet Ruger still dragged her around by the collar until Hershey came on the scene. Now Ruger has met his match and has quickly gone from a jealous to a loving relationship with Hershey.Ruger always was "king of the mountain" around the yard. Climbing to the top of snow banks and dirt piles has been a favorite activity...but Hershey has been quick to follow and claim the "queen of the mountain" title!
Those two can play and wrestle all day...if Ruger sits for a moment someone is quick to jump on her.
Ruger always held the title of fastest runner in these parts...
but there is some serious competition brewing.
Ruger has found a quick way of cooling off...burying his head in the snow...
but someone else also learned how to do it...
"tastes a little like a snow cone".
"This is boring, if all you are going to do is take pictures of that pup!"
But in the end, they have become best buddies...from extreme jealousy to protective friend in two weeks ;-)

roses, rabbits and a sunset..

I love a pretty rose and these are some of the prettiest grocery store ones I've boughten. Such a nice way to brighten up a January day...this bunny napping in the sun also makes me smile...
the world of white outside my windows sure is making it hard to take a decent shot but I still liked this goldie not wanting to share with the redpoll. Still no male redpolls either.
After a long winter's nap, a meal of corn is just what the bunny needed.
and tonight's sunset was pretty and pink...

Monday misc...

The twelve days of Christmas are ending tomorrow and we had one last family celebration on Saturday. With the winds and snow we had a smaller than usual group but whenever we are together it is always so much fun.
The big cousins, and little cousins and their mommy's sat across from me during gift opening so I got lots of candid expressions...my favorite kind of shots! Tomorrow the boxes come out and the decorations come down and we'll bring our tree out to the garden for the sparrows and rabbits to hide in. I know I am behind most people taking the holiday stuff down but since it all went up so late I figured I was safe to leave it out until epiphany.

winter reds....

I love touches of red in the winter...the last of the roses from my christmas centerpiece...the bright red spot on the male downy...
and someone got a new red collar but getting her to pose is almost impossible as she is more than just a little rambunctious these days!