Critters

Our critters are out in force these days.

One of the large Grey Squirrels released her brood of 7 foolish little ones from the nest on Sunday. It was wonderful display of bizarre and clumsy acrobatics. One of these days I will get a picture of one of the greys. They are very timid out here in the country, so they don't sit still very long when they hear a noise.

This particular chipmunk though, despite their inate timidity, was willing to let me get out the camera and snap a couple of close-ups. Apparently though, 6' is close enough to suit him. He's been happily stuffing his jowls with some of the bird seed that I threw out for the Junco's and Jays earlier today.


Now this is "Mamma George". All of the red squirrels that frequent the house are called George, regardless. This particular George is one of the ones that will come when you call, and she does expect to get a piece of bread and peanut butter when she comes knocking. Which she does... she'll climb the screen door at the kitchen and ring the brass ships bell that we have by jumping on it.

Mamma posed for several pretty shots, including this one, before she got tired of the beep and whir of the camera. Note the small piece of bread that she eagerly grabbed out of my hand and is now devoid of peanut butter.



Sometime in the next 3 weeks or so we will see her with bringing the little ones out of where ever it is that she has them in the nest.

--

Winter Pix

Winter has never been my favorite season. The damp-cold gets me as it sets off the Raynaud's Syndrome or Phenomena that I've experienced for 25 years. The effects include sudden numbness or pain combined with a complete lack of circulation in my hands and feet. It's not pretty when they go funny colours but it's a cool way to freak people out. I try to avoid exposure to temperature extreme's this time of year and stay indoors, but then I can miss out on a lot too.

There was a light dusting of snow last evening. The dark red sumac blossoms still held the fluff.

Beautifully formed snow crystals, large and glistening.

The fir limbs held the snow as if it were angel hair, while the snowshoe hares traced paths hither and yon.

Sunlight streamed through the woods casting light and shadow on the old beech tree. The young beech will try to hold their fall colours till spring.

A little Chickadee, New Brunswick's provincial bird, makes its stand on a seed laden table.

A red squirrel, a favorite wild pest, that can be coaxed to be quite brave when they know that there is a regular food supply, especially if it involves peanut butter. We call all reds by the name 'George' after a red-headed friend we had. The human George could be equally entertaining.

Winter really can be quite lovely as evidenced by this photo with warm pastel colours from the sun washing across the snow.

Winter ice has the ability to cast an ethereal effect on trees.