Part of the Critter List

 
Just because we were hiking in well-populated areas didn't mean a lack of wildlife. Perhaps we saw more than people who whiz past in cars. I know they didn't see these beauties. The creek is well below bridge level and the deer had a nice little watering hole all to themselves in the midst of an area filled with busy traffic.



We saw quite a few great blue herons. They have become commonplace, but are still such great birds to watch. Here's a shot from a different angle than the usual side silhouette.


Another sad story in the road. This is a little garter snake, dead. His color pattern is a little bit unusual with the light reddish-brown and the darker spots, making him look somewhat checkered. I hate seeing snakes dead in the road.




All too common are the Canada geese. Not my favorite bird. But who can resist such a classic picture with babies?




And finally, a rather unusual sighting. Rare for Ohio. A koala.



Gotcha.

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The Mailbox or the Deer

 
This story happened last week, and earlier, but I just got the mailbox picture today. Here's how to play tricks on your mind.

Let's start with earlier. Sometime last fall I was driving down a hill, in a snowstorm, always watching for deer, you know. I saw one! Right on the edge of the road too. But when I got there it was only a mailbox that was leaning.



OK, that picture probably didn't fool you, but maybe it gave you the idea. I have no clue exactly what road and mailbox were involved in this incident.

Fast forward to last week. Snowing again. Looked down the road. Not going to be fooled like that again. No sir (or ma'am). But I was. Those darned slanty mailboxes with another post (like for a paper box) showing are very deceptive.

Same day, maybe an hour later, I see another of those mailboxes.

When I got there, YIKES, it was a deer!



Who did just what you'd expect. Stood there and looked at me...



Then ran down the road.

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Ice Goose

 
Today I bring you the rare, perhaps unique, ice goose.



She is in nesting mode, but where will a mate be found?

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Cold and Sparkling

It's hard to believe that it's the last few days of March and we are having single-digit temperatures at night. In fact, it was still only 5 degrees at 9 am. Those are Fahrenheit degrees, for those of you readers who use Celsius. Maggie and I took a little walk beside the road. As we came back up the driveway something was flashing and sparkling beside our decrepit barn. Do you know where?



See that grass in the area where the foundation is falling out?



Just ordinary icicles?



Diamonds?


How about a long-billed bird, dipping for water? Or does he want an icy fish?

See Ice on the Pine

Sea World in the Jack Pine?

 
"What can I show you today?" I wondered. I tried for snow textures, but the light was too flat. I saw a few mouse tracks, but they could be more clear. And then... I saw...



... an amazing wildlife find for the Great Lakes Region. This visitor can only be explained as the first resident of a new water park. What? You can't find the playful seal? Let me help.

See Snow Worms See A Visit to Italy

A Tale of Nor-dunes

Two explorers entered the dark woods, not knowing what to expect, but prepared for wondrous adventures. The taller of the two carried the supplies, food water, and a mystical devise to log their explorations. The smaller, reddish creature was equipped with an extraordinary sensing devise allowing the pair to seek out new regions of the world, and yet return at last to their time machine which could carry them home again.



Everyone knows that the woods are filled with creatures who like to be left alone. Wherever the two friends traveled they were greeted with rude comments. “Why have you come and awakened me from my nap?” growled the ancient tree.

“It’s too early for a nap,” replied the tall explorer. “Your leaves are still green.”

“Really?” said the tree. “Oh bother. It’s so hard to stay awake when the air gets chilly. My sap gets so thick.”

The tree was already nodding off again, so the two walkers continued on.



Before long they encountered these large footprints, which caused them to become concerned. What creature could have passed by here?



Just then, breaking from the edge of the woods... the fearsome horned forest lizards of Nor-dunes scuttled towards them! Given their immense size they moved quicker than you could imagine. Where could our heroes escape?



They ran as hard as they could across the heated sands! The desolate wilderness seemed to offer no refuge.



Ahead of them was the great freshwater sea. There was nowhere to go, and the lizards were pressing in behind. They chased the small red explorer right into the water! It was very frightening! But then... The red one realized that she had a secret weapon. She could dispel horned forest lizards and scary trees, and turn desolate wilderness into sandy beaches. She turned around and...



blew the lizards a raspberry!

See Nordhouse- Yesterday the Facts, Today the Magic See Nordhouse- Today the Facts, Tomorrow the Magic