Monday, January 26, 2009

Trails in the snow

Snow is too deep for me to wade out into, so this was taken from my kitchen window - you can barely see the animal trails.
There's a much better view from my bedroom window (2 stories high). But it was too high up to take any good pics. From there I could see patterns of animal tracks in the snow. Each set of tracks weaving a story of the animal's journey:

Sometime during the night a raccoon, ambles his way from my neighbour's shed to the east corner of our house. He stays close to the walls for warmth then cuts across our back deck (probably on the lookout for left-over birdseed), before continuing on through the snow.

Squirrels scamper from tree to tree, like the tracks in the picture above. Except you can only see one tree - then the tracks curve around towards the hedge. A perfect place to play hide-and-seek! And do those squirrels like to play!

Rabbits hop out from beneath the warmth of a burrow,(presumably at night since I don't see them) at the bottom of our property, where our shed gives some protection from the extreme cold and wind. They hop into the hedge, then back out, across the snow-covered lawn, around a tree, towards the house, wherever their particular journey takes them.

Back downstairs in my kitchen (since I couldn't take really good pics of those animal tracks) I console myself with taking this late-blooming amaryllis. Late because I bought it on sale after the Christmas season was done. So it got a late start - but I'll take it anyway!



19 comments:

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh Wendy, What a rough winter you are having. Is this year normal???? It seems to be so much worse than some years.

I always worry about the critters out there in that snow and cold temps. I wonder how they can make it.

Stay warm!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

Grammy said...

I love your late-blooming amaryllis. You have a green thumb. I so enjoy your writing you have a gift of painting a picture with words. You are like me with the camera. That is why I bought a expensive one. Now I still need more. This one uses my 300mm lens I had already. But I want more lenses some cost more than the camera. So I have to be content. And hope the lenses come to me used. I was lucky to find the 300 mm years ago at a pawn shop for only $99.00. I know I am camera happy but it brings me joy. I see you have only 10 more days for the next baby. Oh what a joy more baby's.
Big hug.
Be blessed my friend.

peppylady (Dora) said...

I wonder where spring is I know the sun will get us there.
But looking at all that snow on the ground it hard to imagination it.

It cool down around here plus I order some garden seed hoping it will bring warmer weather.

Coffee is on.

Maggie May said...

Lovely photos and I have just seen that gorgeous baby! Congratulations. Grandchildren provide the most wonderful feelings of love and pleasure. (Though sometimes it is good to hand them back again after a strop!)

Ruth said...

The picture of the flowers and the snow in the background is lovely. We have a lot of rabbit tracks in our suburban snow, but no other wildlife that I can identify. Too many dogs about most likely.

Abba's Girl said...

Beautiful pictures. I love Amaryllis' all winter...they brighten a room. I love tulips as well. Stay warm. We may have freezing rain tonight, I prefer snow!

Annette

Rose said...

It's fun to look at the tracks in the snow in the morning and wonder what animal left them. (I'm not as good at identifying them as you.) Your amaryllis is beautiful! I bought a late one, too, but so far it just keeps growing and growing without a sign of a bloom.

beckie said...

Wendy, it's amazing how busy our yards are at night. I noticed yesterday, all the tracks in our yard. Even though some don't care for squirrels, I love to watch them chase each other around. Your Amaryllis is gorgeous! Such a vibrant color against the snow.

Linda said...

You are so lucky to be so close to nature.

Cheryl said...

Gosh it looks so cold Wendy. Are you still managing to get the drive cleared?
It is fascinating to look at the tracks in the snow and decide what creature has left them......

Flowers indoors are cheering and much needed at this time of year.....the spring will soon be here Wendy.....

JeanMac said...

Nice you have so many animals in your yard - the amaryllis is a cheery plant - just what we need now.

Wendy said...

Hi Betsy,
Naw - this is a normal winter. Maybe a wee bit on the cold side, but the snowfall is normal. Last year I posted some real heavy snow that stayed around until April. I hope we don't get a repeat of that!!
The critters around here seem to stay warm somehow. They winter under decks, sheds, bushes and wherever they can find warmth.

Wendy said...

Hi Grammy, thank you for the compliments. Your photos are really good ones. Photography is fun. I hope you get your lens. I have no idea about lens yet. Will learn more this summer.
The next baby will be here soon, but I think it will be a bit longer than on the widget. Who knows?
Hugs

Wendy said...

Hi Peppylady - oh yes ordering seed and looking at flowers in catalogues. Good way to pass the winter. The snow will melt - someday!

Hi Maggie May - thank you so much for your kind words. They are fun and sometimes it's good to give them back!

Hi Ruth - oh, I'm sure you have lots of squirrel tracks. The flowers sure brighten up the winter.

Hi Annette - hope you don't get that freezing rain. Snow is prettier anyway. I love all flowers. Will post some more soon.
Hugs.

Wendy said...

Hi Rose, that's strange - about your amaryllis. Actually my hyacinths just keep growing leaves too and no flowers. Wonder why?

Hi Beckie - yeah, I get mad at the squirrels too, but I do love to watch them play and tunnel through the snow.

Hi Darwin Reporter - that I am. We're out in the country here. Cows and horses up the street (and a few more miles further down the road).

Hi Cheryl, thanks for poppiing round. It's cold here, but we are in for some warmer weather soon. Our drive and walkway are being cleared properly. We're thankful for that. I do enjoy my indoor gardening - without that I'd go mad.
Hugs - hope you are enjoying your sanctuary.

Wendy said...

Hi Jeanmac - sometimes we get deer. But don't often seem them. Glad you like the amaryllis. Was hoping nobody would groan - oh no, not another Christmas plant!

white_lilly said...

what great photos! I'm amazed those little animals are able to get through the snow and I just love your photo of such beautiful color in contrast with the snow in the back ground :)

Wendy said...

Thanks White Lilly - there are probably more little animals about than we know.
Hugs

Mary said...

Awww. See? Everyone is complaining about the snow and ice and rightfully so, in most cases. But look at the beauty of it all. Look at the tracks that make you wonder...

I miss the magic of snow and ice. Thanks for the memories, Wendy.

Mary