My Little World, Tingsgrove and Beyond This Long Winter~

It is Sunday morning, as I write this entry.

Our seasonal average of snow is only 15" and this year, we have easily more than doubled that.  

Many more people have received more depths of snow, but we live in a rural community and our roads are not always treated, or plowed in a timely fashion, or if it is, they miss large patches.  

With a layer of solid ice on our driveway, there is no way to shovel it, and no snow melt anywhere... it was all sold out weeks ago.

  We have had very COLD temperatures and the snow that is on the ground has been there for 3 weeks now.  

Add in 1 1/2"of ice and you have real problems. 

A couple of weeks ago, I went back to check on the Barred Owl again.

The walking path was solid ice, and so I took a snow walk through the woods, it was magical, so quiet.   

 I had just about reached the favored perch tree, when up from the creek a large figure flew past me...oh my goodness it was the Owl.  

Whoosh, that was neat!

It flew to a near by tree and watched me for a bit and then flew to it's favored tree, where then I took my leave to allow it to rest in peace.

I have included many images of Red-Shouldered Hawks in our area and also of a little American Kestrel I captured one day out.

We had not walked out on our 2 acres following a nice snow fall and I wanted to take some snow images of our Tingsgrove property.

It looked so clean, pristine and magical.

Two days later we got our big icing and you will see just some of the devastation it has caused.  

The entire 2 acres is now strewn with limbs, branches and downed trees...a huge mess.  

Once the thaw has begun, I guess you can imagine where we will be.  

We feel blessed as our home was safe from the downed trees.

Nature at it best and worst...we move forward.

Have a great week wherever you are, stay safe and well~

Remember to double click on the image, to view a larger slide show of the images shared

   

 I will also be linking up with Mary at:

Mosaic Monday

at: 

  http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.

As well as I am linking up with Stewart at:

   Wild Bird Wednesday

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

Solid ice.  

Even with good leather Winter boots, trek grids on your shoes, or boots are a must~

The Barred Owl flew up from the creek below~

Welcome to a Winter's Day on Tingsgrove, my home for over 33 years~

Can you see our home?  

It is not large at all, but very tall, 3 floors high~

This beautiful Red-Shouldered Hawk was photographed about 2 miles from here~

On our land, we have a creek that runs between the 2 acres as well as across the entirety of the back of property~

Now take a good look at the following images of the creek that flows behind our home.  

It looked so lovely and then in 2 days, the whole scene changed.

Another Red-Shouldered Hawk and an American Kestrel taken near our area called Borowick~

I was quite pleased to see this beauty, for the first time since last Summer.  

It was the lone survivor of last seasons nest near my home.  

There had been 3, but 2 had fallen to their death early on.  

This was taken beyond our property line several acres~

Then came the icing, the heavy glaze that brought trees down all over the area, as well as our Tingsgrove.  

You could hear crackling of branches and falling trees hitting the earth with loud crashing sounds.

There was not one thing that a person could do, but just to allow nature to take its course~

The creek with the walk bridge that you just saw up above...the images below, is what that scene looks like now and will for a very long while, until warmer weather gives us a chance to do the hard labor, of cleaning up

It is all good, we are all fine and our home is fine and many others were not so fortunate~

Top of Birding Wish List, One of Two Done~

 

It has been a crazy week...more snow, an inch of icing atop the 8" of white stuff, and cabin fever holding strong. 

I got an alert that Snow Buntings were observed in a field about 16 miles from our home. 

It was about the only morning that we could get out of our drive way with any hope of not sliding into a ditch. 

For many years, Snow Bunting and Great Gray Owls were at the very top of my birding wish list. 

 I was thrilled for the opportunity of this rare visit to our area was really over the moon with excitement. 

When I arrived I saw a snow covered field and a few areas that had been scraped back and covered with fresh cracked corn and assorted bird seed. 

Then I spotted my first Snow Bunting, oh my goodness what beauties they are, really made me smile...so, so happy. 

Along with nearly a hundred Buntings, were many more Lapland Longspurs, and in the mix were also Horned Larks. 

What a swell treat, for all of these birds were new to me, and all of them were really beautiful to see.  In the mix was also a few Sparrows and I got to see a Song Sparrow which I have included at the end of this post.

I am thinking I may have seen them before, but not very often. 

The ice came and it is still here, some 5 days out now and no chance of it thawing any day this week.  We are anticipating another Winter storm this evening. 

The icing caused great damage in our 2 acres, but, that will remain for another post. 

I am still having my Google problems, but have figured out a way to upload my images and I am very thankful for that...

Hoping everyone is well. 

 

Remember to double click on the image, to view a larger slide show of the images shared

  

As well as I am linking up with Stewart at:

   Wild Bird Wednesday

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