Blogging 101

Bloggin 101 – Day Thirteen

For today’s assignment, I’ve selected ‘Write Anything Wednesday’ from the ‘Community Events Listing’ so I could share some thoughts about where we live.

By The Lake’s Shore

Today is another winter’s day, much like any other. Cold, overcast, snow predictions–a typical winter scenario. This morning when Tyson went outside, he thought he was in heaven–four white-tailed deer peered toward us before turning away, their tails high in the air as they scurried away.  Tyson wanted to give chase, but a command (or two or three) stopped him in his tracks.  He could never catch them, but I don’t want to encourage him.

Looking toward the water, another vision awaits. Because of the clouds reflecting, the water is varying shades of gray interspersed with a few areas of blue. The shoreline has extended upwards and outwards due to the formation of ice. As the waves push forward, the ice piles up. Now it’s about four feet higher along the water’s edge than normal. Beyond that, it looks like miniature icebergs waiting their turn to land.

In anticipation of flurries, the birds are busy pecking away at their seed and suet, while a lone squirrel sits among them, stuffing his cheeks. Three cats went to inspect but decided at 17F/-8C it was better to remain indoors. Old Ollie decided he wanted to go out. I opened the door just as a gust blew in.  He hissed and growled and walked away–not happy that I couldn’t warm things up so he could go outside to play.

Ollie wanders to a deck door, thinking the weather will be better on the opposite side of the house.  Not so, and he sauntered off in disgust.  I looked at the lake, and the clouds have lightened. As a result, the areas icing over toward the horizon have turned white, reflecting the new cloud cover, like floating marshmallows.

A last look inland and what do I see, but those heavy gray clouds bringing their debris. A gust shakes the clouds, and they sprinkle their burden–the flurries have started, and it’s time for a tea.

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Lake Side

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Road Side
Blogging 101

Blogging 101 – Day 4.5

Thought I’d do a bit more practicing uploading images and a couple of video clips.  All the participants are regular visitors.  Hope you enjoy!

At Home on the Lake

We’re very fortunate to reside on Lake Huron where we have an abundance (sometimes an over abundance) of visitors.  Some visit year-round, while others only stop by during warm or hot weather.

KODAK Digital Still Camera
Male Chipping Sparrow

The  Chipping Sparrow above seemed to be lost as normally they are a summer visitor.  It was still a treat to see–think it would make a great Christmas card!

KODAK Digital Still Camera
Male Red-Bellied Woodpecker

We’ve had four different types of woodpeckers visit.  The guy above isn’t being cooperative to show the red streak running down his belly, hence the name.  We’ve also had his wife (we think–no red on the head) as well as a pair of Downy Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, Hairy Woodpeckers.

KODAK Digital Still Camera
Female Northern Cardinal

A male and female cardinal are year-round visitors, although when the temperature is too high, we rarely see them.  Occasionally, we’ve seen three males and two females at the same time.  The females usually keep back in the trees if other birds are around.

KODAK Digital Still Camera
White Tail Deer

Of course, it’s not just winged visitors who stop by to see what’s for dinner.  This one came on its own, but we’ve had as many as twelve at one time.

KODAK Digital Still Camera
Juvenile Male Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

This one only visits in the warm weather and likes a treat of red-colored sugar water.  We buy something especially designed for the little fella. When he matures, he’ll sport a red patch on his throat.

KODAK Digital Still Camera
Male Baltimore Oriole

This male Baltimore Oriole was a bit camera shy but visits again for supper. 

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Male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

A very infrequent visitor, the male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak didn’t seem hungry but wanted to check out the competition.

KODAK Digital Still Camera
Male Baltimore Oriole

Told you he’d be back!  We bought a very small swing, just for birds, and cut an orange in half.  Tasty dinner!

KODAK Digital Still Camera
Wild Turkeys

The last of our special visitors for this installment were this pair of wild turkeys. 

OOPS!  Almost forgot–I mentioned at the beginning there were a couple of video clips.  The first one is a female Downy Woodpecker, while the second one features one of our male cardinal, several juncos, and a sparrow.

I hope you enjoyed meetings our friends–we did!