A Glorious Blue Sky Day

When we were at Wyndson Cottage for a week in January, we were a little disappointed that the days were grey. We only saw a bit of sun one day.  There was some snow on a few days, which was expected, but we were quite disappointed at the lack of sunshine.

This last trip though, it was so exciting to wake up the first morning there to clear skies and the sun coming up.  By mid morning it was beautiful.  The temperatures were above freezing, and it felt very Springlike.  I wanted to go up the mountain.  We were really trying to be conscious this trip of not over exercising Calli, so Larry was a little hesitant as we had headed out with the three dogs.  I said we'd just go up to the water tower, which is just a little ways up, and has a gravel switchback road leading to it.  We got to the tower, it was warm, it was beautiful. Luna figured it was time for a snow bath, or a face wash at least.  There was a hard crust on the snow right there, and it was like she was trying to break through it.

 So then I said well maybe we could go along that trail over there, it's flat (thinking of Calli).  The only thing was there was a steep ravine between us and the trail.  So we slid down it on the icy side that was facing north, and slip slided our way up the south facing, muddy melting side, pushing and dragging Calli along with us.  Actually, we had to get off the trail and use the hummocks of grass to pull ourselves to the top, because heavy mud was accumulating on our boot soles.  And then we were on the level.

The trail headed off between two small hills.  Luna was all over the place, figured she was smelling deer, so made sure we kept her in sight.

The trail came out into the open and the hill dropped off to the north, and presented a great spot for a group photo.  Of course in the time spent trying to get the perfect shot (impossible) Jake was telling me that the sun reflecting off the snow was just getting too darn bright!

The view to the north

And then the deer appeared

We saw five of them.  They kept disappearing and then reappearing in another spot.  Maybe there were more than five.  The dogs didn't notice them.  I think they were out of their sight line.

Time to head back for lunch.

Morning Humour

I needed a laugh this morning....and got it:)



Here's the followup



And the t-shirt
http://www.shirtsunlimitedonline.com/#!__deer-t-shirt

An update on the chicken situation - We found another body in the morning, so a total of 6 dead.  After a search along the fence line, we found feathers, and one horizontal wire on the fence that was broken, which created a hole big enough for a coyote to get through.  No doubt it or them were coming in and out all week while there we were away and there were no dogs here.  So our job this winter is to clear all the brush and the thorny blackberry vines away from our side, and reinforce the whole 200' fence line.  In the meantime the few hens that are left there will remain fenced into the smaller area.

Oh Dear!

I had just finished reading Farside's blog this morning about her deer 'hunting'.   I was rather inappropriately dressed, in my shortie nightie with a big bath towel wrapped around to make me a bit more decent, just heading on my way to the shower.  David says 'Mum, there's a huge deer in the hayfield, it's got a really big rack...'  Well a blogger like me can't resist a potential photo op and subject for a blog post.  I grabbed my camera and ran out onto the deck.  Of course the whole time the deer is moving farther away.  I'm trying to see past the ornamental cherry tree to get a photo of the deer.  I can't lean out too far trying to see past the tree, as there is still no railing on the deck. The thoughts of me going ass over tea kettle off the deck into the hedge below wearing nothing but a nightie and a towel kept me safe.  So I'm trying to take the picture, zooming in, and can't even find the deer in the view finder.  Then there are leaves from the cherry tree that the camera is focussing on.  So I took what I was hoping might be a half decent shot.
By this time the deer is in the top far corner of the hayfield, out of sight.  Then I see it in the riding ring.  I have now crossed the driveway in my bare feet and start up the alleyway.  It is wet, it rained overnight, there is grass and mud.  I have to go quite a distance, to get past the manure piles.  Then I see the deer moving across next door's field.  I try for a couple more shots, but know they won't be good.  By this time my bare feet are starting to feel really cold, and the deer is out of sight.  I head back, hobble back across the gravel driveway, and stop to swish my dirty feet in the dog pool  Wyndson  Pond.  Good thing we don't have close neighbours.  A hot shower never felt so good.  But really, it was soooo worth it to get this fantastic shot!