Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Saturday’s Solitude. #30
Good morning everyone on this beautiful, chilly Saturday! The sun is shining brilliantly making the snow blindingly bright. The feeders are busy this morning with lots of evening grosbeaks, plus the chickadees, both species of nuthatches and the blue jays. I haven’t seen the woodpeckers yet, but they may have been here. The 2 crows were here first thing for their breakfast. Then I don’t see them the rest of the day normally, which is fine, I don’t really want them to stay around as they scare all the other birds away. Much like the rock doves, which were here this morning again, though only 2 of them.
So we had a battle for half an hour and they finally gave up and left. There were a couple pine grosbeaks yesterday here yesterday for quite a while in the afternoon. I haven’t seen them yet this morning. The redpolls were here as well, yesterday, and again I have not seen them yet today. A couple bald eagles were flying around here yesterday morning and again this morning, perhaps looking for something to eat, or perhaps a deer was killed by a train. That happens quite often here. Then any ravens and eagles in the area go and clean it up.
Crows, magpies and even Canada jays and blue jays will help out if there is room for them. Scavengers play an important role in maintaining a healthy forest. By cleaning up dead animals they prevent disease from taking over and spreading to other animals. It has suddenly become very quiet outside, no birds around at all. Quite interesting how they will all disappear at the same time. It’s understandable when a predator is around, but it sometimes happens for no apparent reason. Winter has been here for just 10 days now, yet it seems like summer is just a distant dream. Something that isn’t even real. I used to like, even enjoy, winter.
I enjoyed going snowshoeing through the forest, making paths that would then freeze solid which could then be walked on normally, just like a sidewalk. Until it snowed again, then I would be back out with my snowshoes. And I would constantly add to the length of my trails. And I would get myself into trouble sometimes too. Although I have never liked cold weather, it didn’t really bother me much back then either, unlike now. Brilliant sunshine. The chickadees and nuthatches are back and I see a couple blue jays as well. I should put out more peanuts and get myself some coffee, and I hear the dryer is now finished as well so it is time to get my clothes put away. I hope you have a beautiful Saturday everyone and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
©2021 Steve McLeod.
Steve And Muffin’s Weekly Art In Nature. #13
Hi everyone! Welcome back to our Art in Nature series! Whenever I’m out walking, which hasn’t been much lately, since July 27th actually, I always try to look for something new or unusual to photograph. Sometimes things just kind of jump right out at me, and sometimes I need to look a little more diligently. But there is usually something around that makes a good addition to our Art series.
The orange mock oyster can be up to 3 inches (7.5cm) across but usually smaller. The one in the photo above is about 3 inches, but smaller ones can be seen in the background. It has a fuzzy, almost furry top all through it’s life, and is quite furry at it’s base as well. This mushroom is not edible. Unfortunately since I didn’t get out much since July, I missed out on a lot of good photo opportunities for certain things, like dried flowers for example. But that’s okay, I have a lot of pictures I haven’t used yet anyway and it gives me a chance to use them. Anyway, I do hope you enjoy the pictures I have chosen for today.
The orange jelly fungus (above) really stands out with that bright orange color. It has a jelly like feel to it and because of it’s bright color, it can be seen a good distance away, even if you are not looking for it. Always look down, or up along your walk, you never know what might show up as you walk down the street, or go for a jog, or get your garden ready for the winter, unless you are already into winter like we are. But even then there can be many opportunities for Art in Nature photos. So, keep your eyes open and see what you can find! Have a great day and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
©2021 Steve McLeod.
