I saw this deer in our neighbour’s yard across the lane from our deck. Deer often visit his yard; there’s nothing much to eat there but they see it as a safe place for a nap.
Usually they arrive in twos, threes or fours, but this one was alone.
When she heard me talking to my husband she waggled those amazing ears and turned to look at me. She was completely unconcerned, just wondering why I needed to be noisy while she was trying to rest.
Happy Mother’s Day Sunday. 💛
I have often seen these three marmots together, surveying their surroundings, snacking on vegetables or just sunning themselves.
They likely are juveniles from last year and probably siblings.
This picture from last June shows the same three – I think – when they were only a couple of months old.
They do like to be together and are very protective of each other, too, although that’s a natural trait of the marmots.
It was a lovely spring day for them to be outside enjoying the weather and surveying their domain.
Happy Wednesday.
It takes centuries to grow an ancient woodland. A springtime to grow blossom. Eight minutes for sunlight to reach Earth. Eight years for a white …
Patience
A beautiful walk through the English woodland from Adele at Walk with Wildlife. Please click the link above to see the rest of this lovely nature post and the many others available on Adele’s blog.
Someone had brought the marmot colony a load of carrots and cucumber; very healthy snacks for them.
Everyone was fully enjoying this yummy treat except for the sentry marmot. He whistled repeatedly – their warning call is a very high-pitched, sharp alert – as a small group of people, although standing respectfully back, had gathered to watch them eat.
But this little guy was working really hard, too hard! He sounded the warning, jumped down to have a bite of cucumber, then jumped back up again and repeated. I walked away as I felt that they needed to be left alone to enjoy their yummies in peace.
Happy Monday.
In spite of varied weather, we have been holding our temperatures over the last while and according to the environmental prognosticators, we are supposed to be in the 20s C (70s F) next week. Could be more whiplash weather so we will have to see!
In any case, the local marmots are out in full force and are looking awake and full of beans …
… a very good sign of more stable weather, at least as far as temperatures are concerned.
I spotted some opening buds …
… that really made my day …
and felt an overall sense of spring’s arrival. Lovely.
Happy Friday.
Once more, here is a “looking back” post containing pictures from years ago; these photos aren’t necessarily great but are important to me. There are three earlier posts in this series; you can find them here if you’re interested:
https://lynettedartycross.com/2025/01/26/looking-back/
https://lynettedartycross.com/2025/02/03/looking-back-again/
https://lynettedartycross.com/2025/02/10/looking-back-once-more/
In the last post, I left off in 2017 with my arrival in the Northwest Territories. I would work there for the next six years and eight months, concluding with my retirement in October, 2023.
This time, I’m looking back at some of the bear photographs I was able to take during my NWT time; one of them is an all-time favourite.
Happy Monday.
I think the Canada geese are getting ready to nest.
The physical differences between females and males is quite subtle, but so are the behaviours. The males are slightly larger and have slightly larger necks, but I wouldn’t put money on being able to pick a male from a female.
Canada geese mate for life and are very much equal partners, taking turns guarding, sitting on the nest and feeding the little ones. In the case of the pair above, one was guarding while the other was eating, but I couldn’t tell which was which. One thing I could tell though was that the guarding goose was giving me the stinkeye!
I’m sure that nesting is starting soon because instead of maintaining their tight flock as they usually do, the couples have somewhat separated themselves from each other. Nevertheless they still tend not to stray too far. There were two other couples nearby and all three were clearly checking in with one another.
The best part is that soon there will be little ones around and it’s always so much fun to watch them grow.
I’ve been ill with flu but am on the mend now and was finally able to get out for a walk; I was rewarded with these geese sightings. Although it’s not official yet, Happy Spring.
Yesterday I saw a marmot! Definitely an excellent sign of spring as these members of the squirrel family only emerge from hibernation when it’s warm enough.
But … I only saw one. Maybe the advance marmot checking out the weather?
This individual is part of a large colony of yellow-bellied marmots who live under the breakwater boulders at the edge of the lake. As long as you don’t get too close, they’re happy to let humans observe them as much as they like.
Marmots are the largest and heaviest members of the squirrel family but behave quite differently. Not only do they hibernate and live together in large colonies, they also are very affectionate with each other, even going to the extent of sharing their food.
Although this was a lone sighting, it was great to see him and recognise what he portends!
Happy Tuesday.
The January of golden frosts greyed into a February of relentless cloud, washed around the edges by the kind of frigid sullen drizzle that cuts …
Perfection
This is a beautiful post from Adele at A Walk with Wildlife. Please click the link above to browse through Adele’s very engaging collection of wildlife posts.
A family of Canada geese …
… head to their evening roost …
… in the safety of a reed bed at the edge of the lake.
Happy Friday.
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 