coyote

I just happened to scan out the bedroom windows while making our bed, and saw a coyote! Way too close to the house- almost to the yard- and both Shelties AND Hobbes were out in the back! There are no photos this time, Folks. I was scrambling for the pets instead of my camera. I got everyone in, safe and sound. The coyote dissolved back into the ferns and shadows, presumably spooked by my "crazy woman" impression and high pitched shrieking- "HOBBES!!!"  So- all ended well. This time. What scares me are all the times I won't see the brown head peeking through the tall grass- the sharp eyes spying......

Feels like April

 

Because it was such a beautiful day (and because I was trying to get back into the good graces of the Shelties, after this morning's interrupted routine), Selkie, Piper and I walked up to get the mail.

We stopped to pet and bark at sweet old Dakota before heading up the long driveway.  I think she's starting to do a little bit better lately. She whinnies more, and challenges the elk like she used to. I'm still trying to get her a new companion, but I'm not as panicked about it as I was.

We kept up a fairly quick pace (at least until I got to the hill! whew!)

And I was so proud of the Shelties! They actually stayed on the driveway, while I crossed Blue Slide to get to the mailbox! They are learning! (actually... Selkie has always been very obediant... It's Piper who is coming around!)

Piper says we need to do this more often! (and he's right!)  Like every day!  I guess I should take advantage of the weather we've been having instead of complaining. I just hope that NEXT Winter, WE get the snow! instead of my sister in Dallas. *sighs*

A Change in Routine

See... the ROUTINE is.... that as soon as Bruce or I get up, we let the Shelties outside to piddle. It's a quick jaunt, because as soon as they come inside, they get fed... which is all very exciting!  THEN, they go outside again- to finish up anything they were too hungry to start the first time.

It's an important routine... one that should not be messed with, or taken lightly.

TODAY, however... things didn't turn out as planned. When I woke up, and looked out the bedroom window, I could see we had a problem.

Apparently, 10 elk had bedded down in our front yard the night before and they'd just gotten up and were enjoying a little breakfast!  I had to trick the Shelties into the garage (not trusting their bladders) to wait until our visitors ambled off.

Itty kept tabs on them. Hobbes joined him after awhile... between the two of them, they kept things orderly.

There were 3 calves in the group. Aren't they just adorable? I wanted to rush out, and hug this one.

After awhile, they meandered off... and I was able to let two very disgruntled Shelties out of the garage, so we could resume our routine.

Selkie expressed her opinion of our deviated schedule.  She hopes tomorrow doesn't bring more of the same shenanigans.

Coffee Klatch

We have 3 elk who come in every afternoon together. I started calling it a coffee klatch, but it's more of a friendship gathering (as no coffee is being consumed).  

These three, Brownie (in the back), Grandma (front left) and Darkie (right) seem to be inseparable. Where you see one, you'll soon see the other two. (Were you expecting decent names??? I apologize!)

At first, I thought all three of them were "old ladies" but now, I'm just not so sure about Darkie. Sometimes I think she looks like a yearling... It's her face... 

See?  doesn't she look younger?

Anyway... I go out of my way to make them feel safe here, so they'll stay. I feed Dakota early, so I won't have to go outside while they're here.  If I DO have to leave the house while they're snacking, I sneak out the front door, deliberately not looking in their direction so as not to overly disturb them. And it seems to work. Sometimes they slowly walk into the scrubby field... sometimes they just watch me while I put out hay, and get the chickens in their coop. I like to think they know I would never harm them. I'm too appreciative of their sharing a small part of their lives in my backyard.

Birds

Beside our back patio, is an Oak we call the Bird Tree for obvious reasons.

 I was never much of a bird watcher until we moved out here. I'm always amazed at the varieties of birds we get. Even in the Winter.

 And the sheer numbers of birds! This morning, Bruce and I counted 14 Grosbeaks on the Oak at one time!

Of course, we have chickadees... the normal kind (see above), as well as Chestnut Sided Chickadees.

We have Nuthatches, too... although I haven't gotten any decent photos of them lately.

For some reason, every time I hear a Chickadee's call, I think of my Mother. I think Chickadees might be my absolute favorite type of bird.

But we have a little Downey Woodpecker that I adore, also. He's such a busy little guy! and so pretty.

Our biggest problem is keeping Hobbes, the cat, from getting our bird friends. It's a never ending endeavor. (By now you've caught on that this post was less about the text, and everything about me wanting to show off my bird photos! :)   Thanks for bearing with me!

Frosty morning walk with the Shelties

Our neighbor's cows are calving, and so he has them gated into a side pasture... which means.... WE CAN WALK UP TO GET THE PAPER AGAIN!!! YAY!!!  (when his cows are in the lower main pasture, we can't walk up our driveway because the Longhorn is VERY nasty and has tried, several times, to annihilate our family). 

 

The Shelties are especially happy about this development. They have missed their walk up to get the mail or the newspaper. It's less than 2 miles, but it's full of fun things to smell, trails to investigate, and things to chase for a tiny bit before Mom starts calling "COME!"

Of course, Selkie has to help Bruce walk. I don't know where he'd end up if she wasn't there to manage things- lead him in the right direction, etc.

 Even with Selkie's guidance, we are STILL too slow, and the Shelties have to stop and wait for Bruce and I to catch up. All in all, though... that just gives them more time to stop and smell the roses (or poo, as the case may be).

We finally make it to Blue Slide road, where our mailbox, and paper box are. Unfortunately, we didn't see ANY wildlife! No deer! No elk! No turkeys! No coyotes! *sighs* That just means more photos of the Shelties :)  since Mom HAS to take pictures of SOMETHING!

Once home, we stop to feed Dakota, and the chickens. Selkie gets to play Farm Dog, and climb the hay bales. It's one of her favorite things to do! Piper just watches, safe and sound on the ground.

Back at the house, the three cats are waiting at the door. They never can understand WHY we won't take them up to get the paper!

Update on the Golden

So many of you have emailed me and asked about the Golden Eagle.  Freedom (yes... I have a terrible habit of naming any and all animals that come into my life) made it through the night! Much to Bruce's surprise.  But the best news is that she/he moved a tiny, tiny bit... giving us just a faint glimmer of hope.  Bruce will take her/him to Kalispell tomorrow to a rehabilitator, in the hopes something may be done to save her. For now, Freedom is living in a large dog kennel (barely large enough for her- but, even that may be good- immobilization is the best we can do until we know what she's up against) in our garage. All our animals can smell the Eagle, and sit by the garage door wanting in- but we are not letting anyone in to upset Freedom. He/She must be scared enough as it is.