Wisconsin's  Winter Wonderland

Red Cardinal Waits His Turn At The Feeder

A winter wonderland greeted us as we wiped the sleepy seeds from our eyes, looking out the windows as we pulled up the shades  discovering the Art Work Of Our Great Creator and God!  Oh What A Day This Was!
Each view our eyes beheld, warm smiles were brought to our lips.

Looking out at our back land,  each and every little twig covered with the brush
of light pure white snow!

Another window, peering down on our horse barn and gardens outlined the fanciful items we have collected over the years and placed into each special place.
     The very tall 5 ft. x 5 ft. beam from an old barn that was taken down at a neighboring farm holds a large birdhouse topped with a roof of snow.  Evergreens magically have turned into frosting covered show piece.  The weather vane is pointing direct North. It being placed on the butterfly arbor holding the metal art gate that my husband Dick made.
     The metal art fencing next to it are also Dick's metal art.  The setting encircles my new Birdhouse Garden which is now dormant under the covering of snow.
     Just a few months away and we shall see it popping up with buds of all sorts of flowers and plants.

                                        Chicken Coop is just South of the Birdhouse Garden.
Our front woods which holds a Babbling Brook is still open and singing its song.  The deer passing through, Turkeys, Birds of all kinds are the only ones listening to is lovely song notes because of the deep snow for walking down there.

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             Bird Station.

 Different feeders for different
seeds.  The Large feeder holds Sunflower seeds and the two smaller feeders hold Thistle in the our glass shaped one.  Sunflowers in the long red one hanging next to it.

A Cardinal flies in to land on the large Sunflower feeder.
They usually come a little
later after the other birds have their fill of seeds.

Wild Turkeys trying to hang on to the many thin twigs holding the Crab-apples.

Wild turkeys have been coming
and up until today were content to eat off the ground.
    Seeds that other smaller
birds dropped as they ate.  One or two I did not mind but the other day a whole flock of 20 turkeys marched down our huge hill taking possession of the whole area around here.
I decided this was getting to be too risky to have them here everyday.  The smaller birds and squirrels quit coming.  I also thought of my many perennial and shrub gardens they would probably demolish next Spring. So have been scaring them away.  The first day I started to chase them away they flew down to the row of crab-apple trees down by the chicken coop.  Staying there and feasting on what would have been the Spring food for migrating birds.  The chicken fence is behind where they were swaying back and forth trying to hold on while they devoured the fruit.  The chicken fence is open on top and thought this would be the next thing they decide to take over and eat their food.   Although I hate to eliminate this food source for the turkeys, I decided it was time to make them very uncomfortable when they show up.  There is plenty of wild food out back in the wooded and swamp areas.  The turkeys were always very shy birds that never went beyond the edge of the fields and woods during the summer months until this winter.  Now they have taken over what use to be peaceful and serine  for most all other birds.

A chickadee on the feeder with a rose finch female in above picture.

The flight of the Chickadee to or from the feeder in next picture.
 
Did you ever watch a Chickadee?

He is a marvelous little bird.  I think happy if a bird can be happy.  He is quick and so beautiful in his feathers of being a Chickadee.
     When Dick fills the feeders he almost alights on his hand.  There seems to be no fear in him.
     If I could be a bird, I would be him.  Dick actually calls me His Chickadee.  I have never asked why just enjoyed it over the years.
     I wish I had more of the Chickadee's traits.  I am too careful, not easily taking a risk.  Is that foolishness or smart?  I think in nature they have instinct in their lives.  Knowing when to be safe and to be flamboyant.

I love our land, just big enough and just small enough, is that

perfect?  

Probably acceptance,  where I am in life.

Trusting God, knowing God, will not give me more

or less than I need.  Recognizing each day my Blessings.

Morning Sunrise, A day that started 17 hours ago.  Dusk is setting in now.  A day with everyday 

events lots of good ones, some just everyday ones.  But a Blessed day lived in nature's setting.

Thank you for coming for a visit again.  Love you all.

Count your Blessings, and remember to Thank God for your everyday events.

I Believe in nature, 

I Believe in my Great Creator,

and most of all I Believe in You

Love

Kate

Wisconsin Winter Brings Joy The Day After Christmas

December Brings Cold, Snow, Brightness

Tall Spruce Tree On Path That Goes Out To Back Land Puts On A Show

Winter came very late this year.  Snowing after Christmas was over, bringing brightness to our landscapes.

Makes such a difference with the sparkling white, covering all those grays, browns and dreary days we had in November and first part of December.  Our attitudes pick up to joy and thanksgiving for the big change.  

The chicken coop takes on a whimsical appearance.  Insulates too as the
snow deepens.  Chickens stay inside most days now but are free to
go out if they so choose and sit under the white shelters.

Patterns not otherwise noticed show up on buildings and nature.Picture below is the deck with a Crabapple tree in front.  In the Crabapple tree holding some of our birdhouse collection.

Nature does unusual things also.  Here is the pheasant that started showing up by our bird-feeder eating the other bird's wasted seed knocked to the ground.  Yesterday I looked out and saw that he was no longer interested in left overs but wanted his own pickings right out of the feeder which is six feet off the ground. He just flew up there and staked his claim from the little birds and squirrels that use it.     

Turkey were hanging out by the feeder as I write this blog.  Luke our dog alerted me that there was something out there that did not belong and I went running to the window.  Turkeys!  Grabing my camera and tried to shoot a picture but the dogs loud barking and movement by the window made them take off in a run for the hill and shrubs.  Picture is a little blurred with me trying to shoot the picture without aiming carefully.  Turkeys have such good eye sight and hearing that they are so hard to take pictures of them.

Our heated birdbath has also taken on different animals and birds.  Four squirrels use it besides the many birds. In the dark at night we often hear a thud on the deck like something just jumped down from the heated birdbath.  Probably a cat or perhaps Opossums, too late for Raccoon for they should all be hibernating by now.

A Mourning dove arrives to take her drink.  Many doves also stand in the
water because it is warm.

Blue Jay takes a sip of water and then lifts his head high allowing him to swallow

Mourning dove puffed up to keep warm on a cold day awaits his turn at the feeder.

Blue Jays choose to eat in private on a near by branch.  Holding
the seed with his two feet and cracking the shell to eat the middle fruit.

Many of my days are spent in my nice warm house gazing out the windows at natures show.  I keep my camera close by with its zoom lens to capture all the new things going on with nature.  I am never disappointed as each day passes in our long winter.  In summer nature keeps its distance most times.

Often we build a fire in the fire place giving added warmth 

to our home. If you look close you will find me curled up in 

a lounging chair reading a new book seeking my own adventure inside.

Dick my husband keeps me happy with a fresh bouquet of 

flowers most weeks.  Here is a group of lovely peach roses.

He knows how I miss being out in my flower gardens.

Luke Our Airedale Gets Out For Shorter Walks But Wears a Jacket To
Help Stay Warm.  He Won't See The One Hour Walks Again Until Spring. 

Christmas is over, the trinkets and tree are put away.  Another three months ahead of Winter awaits us as we greet each day passing.  We want Peace, Love and Dreams in our lives.  With all the turmoil  going on, hardships, heartache in the world it is a wonder so many feel lost, not knowing where to turn, where to find this Peace, Love and Dreams.  I find myself caught in this whirlwind of clutter that tears at the peace, Love, and dreams in my own heart.  Learning each morning through the message Dick reads to me out of the Bible how to cope, where to turn, finding out our Great God is here, right next to us standing waiting for me to look to him, listen to His whisper of Love, Peace and His Dream for me.  Only a breath away.  Holding Dick's hand and praying what is on our hearts, our minds, Dreams of today.  Knowing He is there even if my mind is filled with sadness or joy.  Telling our great God our conserns for our grown children, grand children, great grand children.  He listens, He is smiling, He is answering even as the words slip from our lips to Him Who Loves Us Deeply!

The world is spinning, with all of us on it and His power holds it in place each day that goes by. 

Dick reading to me out of the Bible

Peace My Friends

Love My Friends

His Eyes Hold Us Safely

Picture Of The Sun Setting At My Son's House On Lake Winnebago