After making the sacrificial snowman yesterday I decided to leave my wildlife repellant home and see if I could actually catch a photo of some of the local wildlife.

It didn’t take long before I found fresh tracks. I had disturbed a couple of deer and heard them move off through the woods. They usually don’t run far when the dog isn’t with me so I stood silent for a while then moved off slowly in the direction I last heard them.

We spotted each other at the same time. One froze while the other bolted.

We weren’t more than 100 feet apart. Both of us stood motionless for a few minutes before I raised the camera. When the deer didn’t flee with that motion I decided to make the first real move. Breaking eye contact I side stepped and froze, side stepped and froze in an attempt to circle around. Finally getting around to the front I made eye contact again. It was a stand off now.

Knowing I wasn’t going to get any closer I waved and sent the deer on it’s way. I was now close to the river so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to take a couple more photos of the ice jam. The rain had started to come down heavier and gave the scene a foggy look.

It was time to head home. I was getting soaked through by the rain and photographing anything was getting nearly impossible with it getting on the lens.

On the way I spotted another Porcupine. This one didn’t seem to know if it wanted in or out of the tree hollow. Blending into the tree I almost missed it. It figures – I spend days trying to find one and after I did another just pops out.

I was nearly home when I had a feeling of being watched. I stopped and looked around but saw only trees. Sensing a presence I again waited motionless.

I wasn’t alone. Curiosity got the better part of a squirrel and I caught a flicker of motion as it sneaked a peek at me. We played peek-a-boo for a while. I’d move off and wait a while then return and hold still. After a bit it would sneak another peek but I never could get close enough for a good photo.

When I got home Pookey was still mad at me for leaving her behind.

The Morley 8 showed up on one side of the road while on the other side another 6 deer were out to browse. I wasn’t really surprised to see 14 deer at one time since my personal record is 53 – no kidding. Now you can understand why deer resistant plants are highly recommended around here.

I don’t know why but this winter the deer have avoided my yard. With the deep snow cover it’s not what I expected. But I’m sure as soon as things begin to sprout they’ll be by.

The daylilies are their favorite early spring snack. I’ve given up on daylilies except for a few around the house foundation. Unfortunately the deer don’t mind and will stare through the windows if I tap on them and give me a look for disturbing their meal. I swear they actually ring the doorbell and ask for handouts.

I hate it when they give me those doe eyes.

A deer chorus line.

This wasn’t what I had planned to post today. I took a hike to the river and got a slew of photos I was going to post. But when I got back I found the deer out and they tolerated me enought to get some decent shots. Maybe later or at least tomorrow I’ll post the icy river shots.

As usual when I think I’ve gotten a decent shot I’ve linked the photos to a larger size (1024 x 768) so you can get a closer look and/or use the image as desktop wallpaper.

Around here we pronounce it grass. The E is only used for spelling purposes and it remains silent when speaking it’s name. I wondered where the E came from and did a little research. Turns out the Grasse River was named after a French admiral that assisted the Americans in the Revolutionary War.

François Joseph Paul de Grasse
François Joseph Paul, marquis de Grasse Tilly, comte de Grasse (1722-1788)
I’m glad they kept the river’s name short and can now understand the extra E.

Anyhoo, it’s time to get away from the brief history lesson and reminisce over yesterday’s hike down to the river. I wanted to beat the winter storm that threatens to dump enough snow today to make it a bit too hard to hike later.

Lets get sidetracked again for a second: Why do weather reports have to use ‘Winter’ when warning of an approaching storm in January? DUH. Is there any other kind in the middle of winter?

OK back on topic. The first sign of the river I came to was the Ice Shelf ‘mushrooms’.

An earlier thaw had flooded the area behind the river bank and a thin layer of ice had formed after temps dropped again. As the water under the ice receded it left a ‘floating’ layer of ice behind. I actually heard it before I saw it. I disturbed two deer and they went crashing through it as they fled. I caught sight of them but never had a chance to get a photo.

Approaching the river bank I was greeted by the sight of an ice pack building up on the opposite shore.

The river current is swift and pushes the ice up against the shore, small islands and boulders. Trees along the river bank mark high water and ice flows by the scars they acquire each winter.

Feeling brave I climbed over some ice built up on the bank to get this photo. I didn’t dare get any closer to the river edge since the dog wanted to follow. I’m willing to take chances but with Pookey along I had to be more cautious.

There was still a shelf of ice at least 4 inches thick I could have gotten on but it was slippery. From the shelf of ice the river was iced over to some extent but it’s never a good idea to trust ice over flowing water. You can never be sure how thick it really is no matter how cold it gets.

Looking up river you can see the river frozen over. In the foreground an ice bridge is forming. Only a duck should dare to cross over here.

On the way back home I was hoping to spot the deer but they eluded me. All I found were some signs that reminded me of Easter. All that needs to be done is wrap them in colored foil.

Deer footprint

It’s hard to make out the footprint so here’s a better one left on some ice.

I didn’t expect to find anything green but a moss covered rock was easy to spot on the way back. I have to admit anything green is a welcome sight at this time of year.

Even fungus is good to see. This one is going to give me plenty of entertainment. I’ll probably spend hours attempting to identify it. I doubt I will but it at least will keep me away from the TV this evening. It was growing on a cherry tree and a number of branches was covered on the undersides.

click the image for a closer look.

And lastly is a photo of an old barn ruins. It’s close to home and once was part of the farm that our property was subdivided from.

This image too is linked to a larger size (1024 x 768). I’m using it as a desktop background until I get tired of looking at it. By tomorrow it will probably be replaced. Remember the ‘Winter’ Storm Warning? Now there’s freezing fog predicted and I’m hoping it will give me a great photo op if it actually happens