March 6 2011

Wouldn't you think our snow would be gone by now?

After all, it IS March 6th already.

But we got ANOTHER 2 inches last night.

Bruce says he doesn't remember what bare ground looks like. Crazy!

Winter is lasting too long

And the snow, snow, snow came down, down, down.....

It's been like this all day.  Heck, it's been like this all week!  Heck, it's been like this all Winter!

The bad part is, Bruce says it's starting to effect the wildlife. He says he's starting to see fawns that are malnourished, just laying down under a tree and dying. (Shhh! I tend to drop an apple or two or three where I know the deer will find them. I figure it can't hurt, and who can resist that face???).

A Taste of Living at Wind's Echo

Another digital collage by Smilebox

Click on the videos, lean back and experience what it's like to live at Wind's Echo. These are only two of the seven videos I took this afternoon- AND this was just after I'd encountered 21 head of elk cows and calves while feeding the mares! After I took these videos, two elk cows, one calf, and one yearling came back around to see if Raggie would share his hay. He wouldn't. Living here is AMAZING! I'm so grateful.

The Sound of Silence

This is the sound silence makes.

Held Hostage

Bruce and I were enjoying the warmth from the fireplace, but agreed there was work to be done while there was still daylight. Wood needed to be brought up from the barn, and Bruce wanted to shovel the sidewalk, and back patio. I got out of the chair, and that's when I saw him!  Raggie!

Walking slowly through the pasture, to check to see if SOMEONE had "ACCIDENTALLY" dropped a flake or two of hay by the barn!

I told him to go ahead and check. Although I wasn't the one who'd fed the horses that morning, I was pretty sure BRUCE was also leaving a bit of extra hay where a hungry Bull Elk might find it.

Raggie acknowledged that, and moved on.

And lo and behold! there WAS hay!  I happily snapped photos while Raggie ate.  And ate, and ate.  After awhile, Bruce announced he was going down to the barn to get some wood, but I quickly squelched THAT!  Raggie was still down there... eating... contentedly.  Bruce said he'd wait.

After awhile more, Bruce announced he was going to go out and shovel.  I was horrified! and stopped him quickly.  Raggie was STILL out there- eating- slowly.  It wouldn't be right to disturb our guest! and perhaps scare him away!  Bruce waited... and waited.

Finally, Raggie took a sip from the horse trough, stepped over the fence, and moved towards the wood. 

We watched him meander away... 

We never know if this will be our last sight of him, or if he'll drop by for another easy meal. 

Even for an adult Bull Elk, strong, proud, in the prime of his life...  the World is a mighty big place

and always unpredictable.

Cold

Although the weather outside is a frigid MINUS 6 degrees!!!  INSIDE is a different story, as the cats will attest.

As long as you're settled in the living room,

life is pretty cozy.

Bruce made a fire.   :)

Loose Ends

Sitting here... with numerous chores, and work I SHOULD do, I find myself at loose ends.  Incapable of doing anything- even pleasurable pursuits (because of that SHOULD spectre hanging over my head).  So- I wander about the house- sit at my computer- and waste so much time, there aren't enough hours left to start a big project.  What is it I'm searching for?