Camera Critters

We saw this cute little gal on a ride we took Thursday. She was eating corn right next to a farmer's corn crib.
To see more photos of her scroll down and check out my post from Friday Dec. 5th. Maybe you can help me ID some ducks too.
Thanks to Misty Dawn for hosting CC. Click on my side bar to see more super critter shots.

SkyWatch Friday

Last Wednesday morning we went to Wal-Mart, and this is what the sky looked like shooting straight up. Might be confused with an avalanche...
Happy SkyWatch everyone. Check out my regular Friday post below.
Thanks to all involved in making this a fun site.
To see more Sky photos click on http://skyley.blogspot.com/.

Friday Dec 5th

Well, early Thursday morning I got out some of the Christmas decorations. I worked on putting things around till 11:30 when we decided to quit for a while and go for a ride to watch trains since it wasn't raining or snowing. This first shot is on Findley Lake and a large flock of ducks swam into view. I got a couple of pictures before they went way out to the middle of the lake. I've been searching through my Sibley's but for the life of me can't ID them. I'm leaning toward Ring-necked ducks, but hope somebody out there can HELP me. I cropped the other shot in hopes it will help. They were so far away, and really looked all black. It's amazing what you will see when you get home and upload your images.

On our way we passed the grape fields all sleeping now after a very good harvest.

The Norfolk Southern was running, but we've noticed lately all the train traffic is down. A sign of the sinking economy? ?

Also notice NO snow. We were about 5 miles from Lake Erie and they didn't get very much from that last event. Most is already melted.

When you leave the spot where we watch trains you climb a long road to the top of a hill, and you can see Canada from this vantage point. I think it is Long Point.

Even though it was a really cloudy day this big ship is still recognizable. 20 some miles away.

Checking out all the streams for wildlife. None here.

Driving by this farmers big corn crib we spotted this darling little doe. She must be this years baby.

I hope she hasn't eaten all this corn by herself. She will have a tummy ache! LOL. Seriously I'm sure other deer plus mice and rats have helped.

She didn't mind that I stopped to take her picture till along came a loud vehicle, and then she ran away.

As we neared home this stream was full of Mallards.

They also decided it was time to head out!

The day yesterday began with this red sky. I knew by the color what was in store. This kind of sky also only lasts for very short time. "Red in the morning, Sailors take warning". It was 18º, and after a cloudy start we did have plenty of sun. It rained last night, and possibly changing to snow today. Our son and daughter-in-law came over in the afternoon and shoveled off a bunch of snow from on top of our roof. The snow was about 18"- 20"+ up there, and we're supposed to get more beginning today so it was good to get some of the weight off. We also got our wood stove stack cleaned while they were here.
These next two shots are shadows of them on the roof shoveling snow to the ground.

A couple shots of a Tree Sparrow. In this one he has a face full of snow.

Once again Azrael is on the prowl. She has a path in the deep snow between the bird feeders and the pine tree where she hides. Only problem is it's a Blue Spruce tree with branches that touch the ground, and the birds never land that low, SO no free meal again today!

I've been putting up some decorations, and haven't taken too many pictures, but I'll try to be better today.

Take care all, and stay warm.

Many Faces of the Blue Jay

I guess I don't have too much to say about in this blog. I've had so many Blue Jays lately and decided to take a few shots. They are just everywhere.
Waiting for his turn on the feeder. Just sitting pretty.

Showing off a few snow flakes behind his crest.

Almost asleep.

How about a few snow flakes on top of the head.

Checking out who's taking his picture.

Trying to stuff one more peanut down his throat.

This one looks elderly.

The same one deep in thought.

It's 20º here. Yesterday morning we got 8.5" of new snow for a total this season of 62.5". If this keeps going like it has so far we might set a new record. Wednesday it's supposed to get up to the 40's. Our son is on vacation and is coming over to shovel off some of the snow built up on our roof. There have been several farmers already asking for help from the fire dept. in snow removal from their barn roofs.

Ruby Tuesday

This is a little wagon that my Dad built for me when I was 4 years old. That was over 60 years ago ! He made it for me one year for Christmas. He had no work shop, nor did he have any woodworking experience. He made the wheels from Tinker Toys and I 'm not sure where he got the wood. The wagon is about the size of a 5 lb. bag of sugar. My Dad was a wonderful person. He was a funeral director and for a long time along with his brother, my uncle, operated the only ambulance service in town. No matter how busy he was he always had time for me and my sister. Sometimes we didn't see him every day, but he always managed to be there whenever we needed him. He and our Mom would be sure to make Christmas such a very special time for us.
I want to honor him on this Ruby Tuesday, and hope he somehow knows how much we all miss him.
For more red photos just click on the ladybug on my sidebar, and thanks to mary/the teach for hosting this fun site.

Another dreary day. After that 9º temperature Saturday night, it rained much of Sunday. Actually let's call it drizzle. Anyway it was miserable.
This is a view from high up on the hill at the local ski resort. They opened last Sunday and have had a pretty good turn out so far. No golf carts crossing here. Plenty of apples for the deer though.

Some of the skiers catch a ride to the top.

One of the roads near our home. We have plenty of hills around us.

Another view from the ski slopes.

The sun tried a couple times to break through the clouds, but never could.

Yesterday morning the dog was barking while looking out into the back yard towards the creek. I did see 3 deer walking in the water, and tried to get their picture, but for the life of me, I can't see any deer in this photo.

Last but not least, Azrael is looking for a free meal again! I've been keeping her in the barn for a couple days to give the birds a rest, and she is NOT happy with me.