Where Has January Gone So Swiftly~

Happy January ending, though our Winter has been extremely mild.  We have only had one snowfall and it wasn't bad at all.  For the sake of enjoyment of snow scene photography, children playing in the cold white fluff, building snow families and forts, the glee rising above the quiet, of children and adults running their sleds up and down the hills...I would love that time.  We just had 17 straight days that didn't even reach freezing.  High temperatures were also broken, one day this week we had 72' for the first time since 1906.  Well we cannot control weather, can we, or can't we... I believe in climate change, do you? A few years ago I heard on the news that Kentucky is the fastest growing weather changing state in the United States.  What kinds of things do you and your family try to do to help make a difference?

Off this Thursday for a week with daughter and her husband in sunny Florida.  Making it to airports, from terminals with a painful knee situation, and one with ear problems at times when flying, all are a little bit stressful, however I really love flying and wish I could do it more often.

Have a marvelous week, doing whatever makes you happy, follow your passions.

I shared this on Facebook yesterday...will share it here now as well.  So many emotions going on with our nation's new leadership, as well as the changes taking place in England with Brexit.  Wishing all the very best.  I lost one lifelong friend during the election process, I think it says a lot about them, not as much about me.  Each of us have a right to speak what we feel without feeling like we might offend someone, especially if we are being respectful in our language...taking things to such a personal level...no words~

Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Pray for the one's who don't. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.

Above and below, an hour before sunset in horse country USA.

White-tailed Deer rests along a cold stream.

Happy Week, be blessed, stay safe~

Remember to double click on the first image, to view a larger slideshow presentation after                                                                you have read the narratives~

I am joining in the fun with Eileen at:

http://viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.com/

Saturday's Critter

Anni at:

http://id-rather-b-birdin.blogspot.com/ 

I'd Rather Be Birdin'

 Linking to I'd Rather B Birdin'

    

Maggie's  MOSAIC MONDAY

                                              https://normandylife.blogspot.com/

& 

Stewart for:

http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com.au/

Wild Bird Wednesday

Black Vultures taking turns to fill up on a recently road killed deer.  This happens way too often around here~

A pair of Bald Eagles have begun their seventh season on this land and we are all hopeful once again that soon young Eaglets will be growing in this wonderfully constructed nest~

Raptors, Birds of Prey are easily seen with the canopy of green missing for a few more weeks.  Many of these are first year birds~

                                                                  Red-tailed Hawks 

A few cast members of red continue to hold on to their branches, making lovely rustling sounds when the wind blows~

Red Shouldered Hawks

YIKES so excited! OK so the images are rough, really rough, but the whole thing is I have been told for several years that at a certain location I visit often, has Winter Northern Harriers that hunt the fields there.  I was coming home from Bible study Sunday morning and sure enough three was a Northern Harrier, a male.  Really far from me, it didn't matter so much I was so delighted to see it~

Female Grey Squirrel has obviously gotten some handouts at a nearby park~

My new profile photo for my blog...taken following my recent 69th birthday~

Pairing Up of Twins and Hawks~

Happy Monday, Happy Week and it is going to be HAPPY here too.  

The sunrise above was taken on Wednesday when I was heading into Louisville to receive my final gel injection for the next six months.  Thankful.  As I sat at the stoplight and got the shot above, I felt  newness of hope. That is what we all need every day and so I am going to wish it for each of you as well.  Whatever may be going on in your life, I pray that you can find hope to battle whatever is going on through to completion.  

It takes time and great courage, but you can do it, if you just have the faith~

Remember to double click on the first image, to view a larger slideshow presentation after                                                                you have read the narratives~

I will be linking up with Judith for:

www.lavendercottagegardening.com

Mosaic Monday

&

Stewart for:

   http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com.au/

Wild Bird Wednesday

U-Turn...Silveit was headed out into the dog yard and decided she was not interested after all.  Snow fell last week, but only enough to say it did.

Below are snow Crocus~

Red-bellied Woodpecker, right outside my window~

Two Gray Squirrels playing in the snow, also right outside my window ;) ~

A Blue Jay...ha, and you guessed it, right outside my window~

Across the lane from my home, the female Red-Shouldered Hawk awaited a meal from her mate.  They have set up a new nest in the same tree used the past three years.  Much can change the outcome and so I am being very careful in watching them from a distance for now~

The female above is larger than the male below.  

Mating for life, unless something should happen to one and then they select a new mate~

Our grand-twins turned 7 last week.  Their party was at the Louisville Science Center.  They even made homemade ice cream using nitrogen and lots of supervision from the staff.  The theme of their party was Egypt.  They are quite fascinated with the land of pyramids.  My great grandfather was the first United States Ambassador to Egypt and I will share about that next week~

They made pyramids out of Popsicle sticks and play dough.  Remember they are square on the bottom and triangular on the top ;) ~

Cullen is a minute older than Kerrick and so his photo was taken first here.  My oldest daughter Hillary below on left and her husband Andrew are the proud parents of the twins.  Both are teachers by profession~

Can you count the freckles...I love them!  Cullen making faces and his little cousin following same~

I have been seeing this old silo since 1976, when we first moved out int the country.  They are making a huge mess of this land, while constructing a new highway.  I hope they allow this structure to remain~

Sunrise on Sunday morning, with fog rolling in on my favorite Covered Bridge Road~

The Orthopedic Surgeon said to walk the day following the injection.  It was more like a tip toeing walk, goodness...ouch~

The tree above so beautiful as the sun arose from behind it and a light fog covered the land.  

A Mute Swan that usually avoids me by a large body of water, decided to come closer and take a look-see at me.  It's mate was killed a couple of years ago, they think by a Coyote and so this one is very non-trusting.  I felt honored~

A Belted Kingfisher made a quick pass over~

The Anchorage Trail is where I took my tip toe walk and there was another pair of Red-Shouldered Hawks getting ready for their nesting season as well.  Also a White-tailed Deer that always seems to be alone, though there is quite a large herd of deer on the grounds~

It seems that I can spot them from far and wide.  This juvenile Red-Shouldered Hawk was hunting near where I go to the market.  It seemed quite hungry and also appeared to be a male by size alone~

Spring has arrived, maybe not on the calendar, but when the Spring Peepers begin their all day, all night concert, it sure feels like it has. These were taken two doors from me, but we have them too, just not as many~

Our visiting Praying Mantis Eveas who appeared on Christmas Eve.  Bill and I really enjoy him, yet we know his time is getting short now. What amazing creatures they are~