What's In Our Backyard?

 

In our neck of the woods, Steve has wildlife cameras set up here and there on our property. I thought I'd share with you our most recent pictures. The above doe doesn't know she's on camera, or does she? I think she's attempting her best left side profile pic.

!😳!

A snowshoe rabbit

Without the flash of the camera illuminating her eyes, she'd be incognito.

A Bobcat

This whitetail buck is a bit suspicious.

So is this Doe.

Hmmm...

I see all of you.

Wolf

Wolf

Wolf

And many more pics of wolves

that supposedly don't exist in the quantities

 that they actually do around our house.

You should hear them howl in packs.

Beautiful yet creepy.

A fox?

A Steve

A Hank on the trail of a what?

Freddy Fox Jr. was outside our window last night. 

He's a junior because his dad visits periodically. 

And yes, those are Christmas lights you see. 

No explanations or guilt-ridden reasons why they're still up. 

We just like 'em.

 And so do the Freddies.

Keeping Our Fingers Crossed

  

I took this pic this morning when I stepped out with Hank and my morning cup of coffee. You can't see it very well, but the sun was trying to peek around the tall pine. We have a little snow.

A few weeks ago, Hank was completely bored when Steve put lights on this pine tree we cut for the birds and set by our bird tray feeder. No snow.

This week, our weather guys (different channels) are talking of a storm Tuesday and Wednesday.  There are two weather models that predict the different ways the storm could go. There is a chance that the storm could squeak by the UP and barely miss us. Sigh. 

And then there's the chance we get a foot or more of snow. Humph.

I'll keep those of you snowmobilers posted on our snow results.

Zoom zoom...

 

Ten Minutes of Spring, then Summer…

Trilliums in the UP

I love Spring and what it brings with it - renewal. I see baby animals everywhere: foxes, fawns (soon more will drop), calves, foals, etc. We may even have a mamma bear and her cubs on our outdoor camera one of these days. Or a moose and her baby will be captured photogenically? The birds sing so long and beautiful and are so happy in the morning (some start at 5:15 am and my alarm doesn’t go off until 5:50 am. Not so beautiful on the weekends when I am wide-eyed at 5:20 am due to their lack of a calendar that so dominates my world these days. I do salute them and smile.)

But along with that, comes new foliage. The gray of winter turns into a lush green, and leaves pop out so fast that I don’t notice because I’m usually on my way to work or back and during the day I’m inside.

But I noticed the leaves last night in the dwindling sunlight and realized the world around me is once again turning beautiful, a different season. They don’t care about my schedule or my mood. I am so grateful!

But wait. Wait! I checked my phone last night to check the weather so I could get my clothes out accordingly for today AND they were calling for 91 degrees! I’m in a classroom with no air and windows that don’t open!

Where, oh where, did spring go? My daffodils just ran their course this weekend and so did my single tulip. It is June 1 today. I haven’t planted a thing.

Ok, so we are hot in the UP. But I sure do not like to complain about it. 

I just miss Spring.

Love ~Debi

18 Inches of Snow

Oh, spring, the season of sunshine, flowers, and… snow? Mother Nature seems to have a bit of a sense of humor as she sends a snowstorm just as I thought I could pack away my winter coat and boots. But I'm really not surprised. This is the UP after all. With a little bit of humor and peace, I can weather any storm, even a spring one.

I need to take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the snow. Have you ever noticed how it creates a calming ambiance when it falls silently from the sky, covering everything in a cozy blanket of white? It’s as if the world becomes still and peaceful, if only for a little while. And it’s not often we get to witness that kind of magic outside of the winter season. So, I embrace the unexpected snowfall and enjoy it while it lasts!

Hank loves the snow. I mean he really LOVES rolling in it, sticking his nose deep into it in search of a mouse, and chasing a stick in it even though it's so deep you think he'll quit the chase. But no, he'll get the stick.

He will miss this snow when its gone.

Steve Plowing Us Out

But not me. I am ready to put away my coat and boots, snowmobile apparel and, wait for it, my Christmas lights. They make a dark place in the woods a peaceful glow during the night.

Easter is a week away. The shipping season has begun and the freighters are navigating the Great Lakes. The mourning doves coo love songs to each other, even during the snowstorm. And this coming Wednesday they are predicting thunderstorms.

It is funny how living in the UP can bring along something unexpected to shake things up. It’s almost as if the universe is saying, “Ha! Gotcha!” But the good news is, we can always choose how we react to things. We can choose to grumble and complain, or we can choose to laugh it off and make the best of it. So go ahead, Hank, roll in the snow or slip and slide while playing ball with Steve.

I need to follow suit and take a moment to enjoy the little things in life, too!

Welcome to a New Look...

Hi Everybody! 

The Walking Stick is back but with an updated look! Once again I'll be sharing with you pictures and stories from the UP of Michigan!

And there will be much posted about the newest member to our family. Hank! He's our 2 and 1/2 year old chocolate Lab.

He loves his toys but he loves being outside even more. So, I'll be sharing the adventures of Hank Henry now and then.

Those of you who are new to my blog can catch-up at yoopers11.blogspot.com. That is where the Walking Stick began in 2011. I took some time off in 2020 and am now back with a new look for The Walking Stick.

I hope you enjoy!

~D