More Snow

I went for a walk yesterday to get out side for a while. I stood in a light almost invisible snow fall and listened to the geese over the hill in the pond. Hiking back to the house I passed this particular bluebird box, I noticed a blue tail feather sticking out. As I leaned in for a closer look a bluebird exploded out flying across the field. I apologized for making it leave the warmth of the nest. Suddenly behind me I heard some more rustling from the box and three more bluebirds also fled the house in quick succession. Now I really felt bad. I had never seen them exhibit this behavior, and found myself thinking wow, four all together keeping warm but did I get a photo, nope.
Back at the house I ran into Oscar the Mumbling Wonder Dog. I have seen him play in the snow with anything and at times seems to enjoy the cold, but he has been reluctant to come out of our warm house lately, I don't really blame him.
Charlie the Beagle on the other hand gets a scent of a deer or some other alluring odor and off he goes. But at his age and the shape hes in, hes back soon enough looking for a warm spot to curl up in front of the fire and instead settle for dreams of chasing rabbits. I don't hold it against him. I'd do the same thing with weather the way its been.

Snow wagon wheel.


"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience". ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Snow and Cold

These first few days of the new year have been chilly to say the least.


Thought I would play around in sepia the day being as gray as it was.

Solstice Sunrise Walk My World

Yesterday morning was the winter solstice. I rose early, let the dogs out, layered up, grabbed my binoculars and camera and set off to watch the sunrise. The dogs stayed near the house as I hiked up to the south east pasture where deer spend their nights now and again. With a slight breeze out of the north and the frost crunching under my feet I knew the deer would be long gone before I arrived. The clouds painted softly across the anticipating sky. I was followed by one of our barn cats, whenever I stopped to listen she rubbed herself on my ankles. I dared not scratch her head as she gets carried away and will climb up your leg if there are no fence posts nearby. The only birds I could hear were crows in the distance.
Then on cue as the winter sun began to return other birds began to sing, first some sparrows, a cardinal, then several ducks and geese over on the pond, and of course the crows continued their celebration of crowness. The sun begins its journey back today, it will march across this tree line and by June rise in the far left of the scene. Today is my wife's mothers birthday. I know which trees it will rise over on June 21st, the summer solstice, my mothers birthday, and I know where it will rise on the morning my father passed away. Its comforting to know some things will always return.



Back at home I headed in past a sign my wife painted when we first moved here. Some folks greet the sun with a prayer or a song. I really like the Navajo way, I'm not real sure if I have it right I heard it once long ago:

Beauty before me
Beauty behind me
Beauty all around me
I walk in Beauty.

For more places around the World visit My World here.

Skywatch Friday

Riley County Kansas

Riley County Kansas

Pottawatomie County Kansas

Near Vinita Oklahoma
Some random skies form the past few weeks.
For more skywatchers visit here

Officers Quarters
Fort Scott National Monument

Tack Room
Ft Scott National Monument

Skywatch Friday

Moonrise over June and Toms Barn
Jefferson County, Kansas

for more skywatchers visit here.

Sepia Scenes

Elmer's Horse
Jefferson County, Kansas

For more scenes in sepia check out here.