Marking Virgin Snow

It might not look like it but the RP's and I are the first ones here!

It has always astonished me how much one car, one human

and two Rusty Pups can disturb the ground they move upon.

One of the joys of early morning walks on virgin snow

is the visual proof of who has been there before me.

The Rusty Pups know all year long

with their noses to the ground.

rabbits live here

squirrels live here

A tiny jumper of some sort?

Bobcats live here

Mice headed for shelter before we got here.

If one takes too long to get a shot of new footprints

Rusty Pups come rushing over to help

and of course destroy any chance of a photo!

Wherever one goes....

 ....the other is bound to follow.

And finally remembering

the Beaver footprints from last year.

Huge aren't they!

Knowing that these creatures share this land with us

fills my soul with joy.

I hope you have a joy filled day.

Moving Toward Year's End

Beaver Moon Dreaming

Still in progress but moving along

Thinking that they live in a watery world....

....I'm stitching swirls around the edges.

Sometimes those swirls break through stick walls

for I also know there is danger beyond their refuge.

Peace and companionship resides inside their lodge.

They even allow muskrats to share their home in Winter.

I am enjoying this stage of adding

and sometimes removing....

....as I work through my encounters with our local beavers

and the fact that they are no longer close by

because the bobcats and coyotes think they are delicious.

I miss them and the simple joy of 

finding their footprints

and worn paths on our early morning walks.

But they will surely be back in a year or two

to build up a new community.

As Winter Settles in and the New Year fast approaches

I have to admit I am no longer a 'winter person'

but I do love sunrise any time of year.

And walking with my Rusty Pup youngsters

is always a joyful adventure.

What a world we live in!

The RP's know exactly where every wild apple tree is in these woods

They think the rotten frozen windfalls are delicious!

Have to say I will be glad when the snow is too deep!

Snow snuffling

to see who is hiding beneath the brambles.

Could be a bobcat or a mouse

a snowshoe hare or perhaps a pheasant.

But the pheasant would have made his noisy escape

way before we arrived here!

Anyhoo, RP Ginger says

enjoy your day!