The mellow critters of the Hideaway have been blessed this season with the most beautiful weather they’ve seen in years. Scattered white clouds on a blue canvas has been the order of the day, Quiet skies have occasionally coaxed in some gray clouds and light rain. Sunsets have turned them into a medley of pink and gold.
Mother Nature has descended into a dark mood only once. A tantrum of very heavy rain, driven by swirling winds briefly invaded the peace. The verdant walls of our small cocoon turned into a writhing mass of dark green anger. Wind whipped trees rained colored leaves which quickly gusted away in the wind. Thankfully, Mother Nature gradually regained her composure and a cautious sun returned. Thus another paroxysm of feminine rage is subdued. Scary.
It’s been a busy time around the pond. Our little enclave has become a roadside rest for numerous flocks of water birds traveling the avian highway south. Wood ducks have begun to arrive in larger numbers. Two pairs splashed down yesterday afternoon and took to the air as darkness fell.
Many other birds of a migration persuasion have left the area and are on the way to warmer climes. The hummingbirds are long gone, as are the phoebes, blue birds and wrens. Though we heard the last trills of a Carolina wren well back in the woods a day or so ago. It’s farewell song for the winter. Monarch butterflies, flaunting their regal garb of gold and black, have been using the Hideaway as a route to the far south.
Surprisingly, the robins have stayed to watch the trees change color and a banded kingfisher made a raid on the pond as it passed on south. Greedy winged reprobate.
Several massive murmurations of starlings have passed through the area, some settling in the trees en route. We came out to the porch for breakfast yesterday morning and the trees on the island exploded into black smithereens. A surprised gulp of very hot coffee alerts the senses.
The fish will soon begin to settle into their long winter sleep at the bottom of the pond. Torpor. So called by ichthyologists. A type of hibernation brought on by change in temperature. Thirty five degrees Fahrenheit. Frigid by any name. What a great life.
Some of the land based Hideaway critters will be looking for winter quarters. One is the mink that Shari saw skulking in high grass near the pond yesterday. We later saw a smaller one–probably this year’s offspring–swimming to the island. However, they’ll venture forth during winter to make life exciting for field mice, moles and other assorted small prey,
Turtles have stopped sunning on land and opted for winter refuge in the pond. Four months in cold mud. How good can it get?
A magnificent six point buck ran through the front yard last evening. Velvetless and ready for antlered conflict. He passed a few feet from the porch and stopped further along the pond to graze. He then waded back to the porch, grazing on pond side vegetation and low hanging tree branches. He grazed near the porch until he became invisible in the falling darkness and faded into the woods.
We arose yesterday morning at sunrise, alerted by the familiar cluck cluck of a flock of wild turkeys. They were pecking their way across the back yard, approaching to within a few feet of the house. One feathered narcissus apparently fell in love with its reflection in a sliding door window. It flared its tail in a display that would be the envy of the most amorous of avian Romeos. Our having been taken by surprise, we have no evidence of their rude intrusion. In the way of compensation, I’ve attached a video of a family of turkeys behaving in ways that would shame the most bawdy band or revelers at Roman bath.
Now would be a good time to escort small children from the room.
Spring Frolic
Night has fallen as I finish writing this. Two barred owls argue in the nearby woods. And a new moon sails somewhere high in the dark Catskill Mountain sky. Black starry silence. The Hideaway sleeps.
780294 759936Housing a different movement in a genuine case or re-dialed model. 446947
806581 829268I observe there can be a lot of spam on this weblog. Do you want help cleaning them up? I may well assist in between courses! 687877
355260 127867Wow, incredible weblog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look effortless. The overall look of your site is excellent, as nicely as the content material! xrumer 161005
Hi , I do believe this is an excellent blog. I stumbled upon it on Yahoo , i will come back once again. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and help other people. Ibbie Ragnar Darn
I am not real wonderful with English but I get hold this very easygoing to understand. Liesa Eugen Wolfgang
Excellent read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing some research on that. And he actually bought me lunch because I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch! Corina Erik Waters
This post is genuinely a good one it assists new the web viewers, who are wishing in favor of blogging. Gennifer Teddie Pedaias
Some truly nice and utilitarian info on this site, also I believe the style and design has got good features. Nina Arnoldo Dorcus Nolana Maxwell Kostman
It look so delish! I too been spending more time in the Kitchen and trying new recipes Phil Christos Bain
I think it is a fluent sharing, I will recommend your site to my friends Gerti Victoir Muriel
Apakah penyakit parkinson juga boleh diakupunktur atau dipijat? Mirella Ashlin Valdis
Have a nice time in Netherlands and hope you find time to explore Rotterdam on your visit! Carole Cleve Elsa
ndrerit dolor. Donec commodo euismod dolor. Curabitur nibh. Vestibulum ut risus. Integer laoreet, ipsum congue congue suscipit, ipsum est molestie dolor, consectetur tempus justo lectus ac mauris. Therine Barney Marrilee
Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon on a daily basis. Constance Xavier Wilkens
This paragraph provides clear idea in favor of the new users of blogging, that truly how to do running a blog.| Sissy Benjamin Beutner
Your mode of explaining everything in this piece of writing is actually pleasant, all be able to easily understand it, Thanks a lot. Astrix Claybourne Trinatte
Touche. Great arguments. Keep up the great spirit. Teena Yale Edmonda
I your writing style truly loving this internet site. Madelin Tremayne Stevena
Appreciation to my father who told me about this weblog, this weblog is genuinely awesome. Dorene Silvanus Demetri
You have brought up a very superb points , regards for the post. There as two heads to every coin. by Jerry Coleman. Tory Kim Gretta
Dear Ramchandra, Kanpur University BSc 1st Year Date Sheet 2020 will be released in the coming days. Estella Griswold Adall
Hotels will often have weekly and monthly rates which are unpublished. Jeanelle Barri Orrin
I have been browsing on-line greater than 3 hours nowadays, but I by no means discovered any interesting article like yours. Faunie Stanislas Ambrose
Wonderful, what a website it is! This web site gives useful information to us, keep it up. Gavrielle Wolfgang Thistle
In online gambling games, many game designs are used to responding to the chances of victory and thinning your capital every day. Patrice Berton Cherice
Good article! We will be linking to this great article on our website. Keep up the great writing. Marissa Mordecai Gujral
Right away I am going to do my breakfast, afterward having my breakfast coming over again to read other news. Francisca Bail Starkey
One of our visitors a short while ago recommended the following website. Josie Johny Auria
There is definately a great deal to learn about this topic. I really like all the points you have made. Marney Claudio Etheline
Your means of describing everything in this piece of writing is really fastidious, every one be capable of easily understand it, Thanks a lot. Fanchon Davon Oakley
Very good article! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our website. Keep up the great writing. Esther Irwin Recor
Fine way of describing, and pleasant paragraph to obtain data about my presentation subject matter, which i am going to present in college. Paige Cece Silberman
Interessante Website. Das Design und die nuetzlichen Informationen gefallen mir besonders. Codi Fax Eveleen
Your style is so unique in comparison to other folks I have read stuff from. Latrina Dallas Atalaya
I your writing style genuinely loving this website. Gisele Allistir Krystal
You have noted very interesting details ! ps decent internet site . “We simply rob ourselves when we make presents to the dead.” by Publilius Syrus. Cari Ryan Claudell
This post provides clear idea designed for the new users of blogging, that truly how to do blogging and site-building. Gretal Raimundo Yona
Well I truly liked studying it. This subject offered by you is very effective for correct planning. Lorne Brock Roman
Very neat blog article. Thanks Again. Keep writing. Deloris Henrik Paryavi
Always set goals for yourself when trying to improve your soccer skills. Pru Bengt Morton
I saw a lot of website but I think this one contains something special in it. Celia Codie Redd
There is apparently a lot to realize about this. I assume you made various nice points in features also. Marty Tam Karp
You have done a beautiful job with this write-up. Kudos. Annabella Norbie Hurst
Some truly nice and utilitarian information on this website, also I believe the design and style has got good features. Charo Gannie Reamy
Im thankful for the blog article. Much thanks again. Fantastic. Patsy Arron Weiman
I am really pleased to say it is an interesting post to read.
King regards,
Boswell Griffin