Wind-sculpted Snow ...

 

Once the snowstorm stops and the freezing winds die down ... there can be beauty found. The low winter sun casts a bluish hue to the drifts that enhance all the wind-driven layers.

 

Deer, oh dear !!!

As the winter progresses and more snow is added to the equation ... the deer are finding it harder to survive.  We are trying VERY hard to go broke feeding the birds (and deer) this winter!!!

 

 

These 7 deer have been coming up to eat oats on a twice, to sometimes "thrice", daily basis.  There are just 2 fawns now and I simply cannot bear to look into their soft, liquid eyes and NOT put more oats out!!!  Do what you can to help!!!

AMAZING 2013 MOTH Calendar

There are simply not enough descriptive adjectives to express how much I love this 2013 calendar that April created for me, using my photos!!!  She is a master of scrapbooking technique!  I have loaded each month (minus the calendar part) so that you can enjoy her creation!   It is just too good to keep to myself!

Just a note about MOTHS and ME ... while I was learning how to capture, manage, and work with these little creatures ... I eventually got over the "heebie-jeebies" (shudder) of having them fly up my nose, in my mouth, down my collar, up my sleeve and in my hair!  I am totally "moth-proof" now!!!

The "Moth-er" you know ...

I have recently gone to the moths! Of all the hundreds of moths I photographed this past summer, this Hawkmoth definitely displayed the most appealing character.

This particular species of moth, Hyles euphorbiae - Spurge Hawkmoth, intrigued and captivated me from the get-go! In flight, it resembles a hummingbird, both in sound and movement. It is quite large bodied, can be somewhat clumsy and can give quite a thump when it hits you upside the head!

Never knew moths had fur! Never knew moths were so colourfully designed. Never knew moths had such gorgeous big, brown eyes either! And...they can be downright feisty! If you blow air on their heads, they arch their bodies and spread their wings, exposing their underwings. They quiver and shake to show you who’s boss!

 

Simply delightful to work with one on one!



 

Old Man Winter needs a vacation ...

 

... or I do!!!  Winter has been such a "beast" this year.  And yes, I am being polite!  I took this image of one of the old Battleford bridges awhile back ... but it could have been taken yesterday, today, or even tomorrow!

What's up, Doc???

 
Sometimes, when you ask, you are given a blessing.  Time and time again, this has been shown to me.  Blessings can take many forms ... and this was one of them.

I had made a comment to my husband, while we were driving along a wintery backroad, that I hadn't seen a rabbit ... not one ... in many years.  The last word had barely left my mouth when I noticed movement in the snow near some bushes.  A rabbit!!!

This little one was in his winter-white pajamas with summer-brown slippers on!  There was light traffic going between us and the rabbit.  Still, he braved coming out into the open to fetch a branch in the ditch.  He wanted it in a bad way!  With vehicles going by and many failed attempts to gain control of the branch, success finally happened!  The rabbit then skedaddled back to the bushes with his precious stick for a good chew!

This unexpected blessing made my day special indeed and I was thankful for the sighting!!!