Wednesday, January 31, 2018

January Thaw at the Ditch

For those of us who don't walk well in snow, the January thaw can be a blessing -- especially if the temperatures are fairly warm too and the day is sunny. It was time for a long overdue walk to the Ditch.


Harry the Heron, of course, is vacationing at points South. I really didn't expect to see too much wildlife to when I came around the corner, I was a bit surprised to see this.


Can't see anything much? Let's zoom in!


There was a trio of deer on their island. One is kind of hidden in the photo above; you only see her bottom. But this one was definitely curious!


I always feel like it's a special gift when I see the Ditch Deer. I think I'll call these three Doe, Re and Mi. Doe is clearly in charge!


I shared a few sitting ducks in the last post or the one before that. When I came around the first corner, every single one was asleep...


... but when I got to the bridge a short distance away, things were perking up!


Time for a swim!


You'd think their feet would get cold!


I loved the reflections on this one!


I know we'll have plenty more snow this winter and it will be some time before all the ice goes out and Harry and his friends return.


Till then, I'll take in the beauty of winter! If it wasn't so darned cold, I'd actually like it!


What a difference a day makes -- one day you are walking and your jacket is partly open, mittens in your pocket and you wake up the next day and it looks like this.


Life in Michigan.

 Keep cozy!

Joining in at Share Your Cup   

43 comments:

Sandy aka Doris the Great said...

Great pictures, including the one of you. I can see the joy on your face. Mine looked like that on Saturday too. Sunshine and a little warmth!

Mae Travels said...

Beautiful photos! Actually, herons are all-year residents of Michigan, though Harry may be finding better, if not warmer, places than the ditch for the moment. Heron map showing winter-summer-all year locales here:

http://seagrant.wisc.edu/birds/Great_Blue_Heron_migration.html

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Preppy Empty Nester said...

Jeanie... Your photos are gorgeous! I actually like Winter a teeny bit more. Enjoy your week.

thepaintedapron.com said...

Beautiful photos Jeanie! The snow is so pretty when freshly fallen...stay warm!
Jenna

Pam said...

haha...looks like the ducks web feet walk well on frozen water! haha...and as for the animals they have their own built in fur and they are always out and about aren't they? I love it. I love seeing animals in the wild. Thanks for sharing.

Lynne said...

I enjoy Ditch Walks . . .
You have more snow, we received none!
Loved your Critter Pics!

La Table De Nana said...

Here..unusually.. everything from snowbanks to landscapes..sheer ice..you cannot ski or snowshoe and walk at your own risk...driveways are skating rinks..and this has been for days and days..You look so happy Miss Jeanie:)
Enjoy..you are a friend to nature!Thanks for all the xbox info!
Happy future thaw!

Linda d said...

The pictures are lovely but the selfie made me smile from ear to ear. LOVE IT!

Valerie-Jael said...

Lovely photos and great to see your smiling face again. Loved the photos of the deer. The weather here is very changeable, too. Hugs, Valerie tups

Barbara Windle said...

It is awesome when you can come so close to the deer. The deer around us would have fled at the first whiff of a human. It would be unusual to see them standing like that. I guess the hunters make them nervous. The eyes on Doe are beautiful.

You really got a good shot of the facial expression on the duck about to go into the water.

As I write this, we are having another snow and blow-about. And it is cold.

Stay warm, my friend.

Connie said...

We went on a winter drive to check out possible camp sites for Spring and Summer and came upon a small herd of about 12 deer. Of course I didn't have my camera with me. I know the unwritten rule of blogging is, always carry your camera, LOL. Mine is large and sometimes cumbersome. Your winter walk looked so invigorating and I love the photo of your pretty smile and rosie cheeks. I lost my walking partner and haven't found another. I'm hoping that when my husband retires this year that he will start walking with me.
Thanks for the lovely winter photos. . .
Stay walk and keep walking.
Connie :)

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Love seeing your ditch critters! So cold there. We have some sunshine today and I'm happy!

Cecilia said...

All your shots are fantastic, I love the deer close ups! You have a wonderful talent!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

The photos of the deer and the ducks were wonderful. I enjoyed the shots from afar and up close. However, the one with the ice on the water made me even colder than I already am. What a sight to see how your weather changes overnight. Sounds like Kansas. Hope it warms for you soon.

Joanne Huffman said...

Someday I will come visit and make you take me for a walk around the ditch.

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh Yes, the deer is a very special animal, and when I see it, I stop and gaze as long as I can. I'm glad I got to come along on your walk to the ditch so I can see the wildlife in your area. Love that picture of the duck's feet, that's a great one. A pretty picture of you, and my favorite is the snow and the trees and the bench - a winter wonderland! What a wonderful post!

~Sheri

Joyful said...

I was so surprised to see no snow where you lived until I saw your last photos. Wow that is a big difference overnight. We've been having a lot of rain. I'm okay with it. It's the lack of sunshine I miss. But now and then we get some great sunny days. This week will be rainy. Next week is supposed to be sunny. I hope I have time to take photos :-)

Beth M. said...

Ooh I feel rejuvenated looking at all of this winter LIFE!! Beautiful narrative, friend. :) <3

Toni said...

Lovely photos! I especially like the reflection pic.

Looks like a nice walk and good companions.

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Jeanie,
Nature is just the absolute best and it's great to see you enjoying it so. We have our pet deer, raccoon, and bobcat that bring us great joy too. Embracing nature really keeps us healthier and happier! Cute photo of you!
Jemma

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie, I am happy one month of winter is over. I like the thaw. Sweet captures of the deer. The ducks photos are awesome, love the closeup of the feet. Pretty shot of you! Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day!

William Kendall said...

The deer are beautiful!

Ricki Treleaven said...

The por ducks! They can't swim on ice....what are they going to do!?!?!? Especially since y'all got even more snow, yikes! It looked like they were sleeping on ice!

I enjoyed the photos of the deer and YOU! You are adorable. Keep warm!

Regina said...

I think our winter is on its way out. Our temps have been in the 70s lately but maybe we will get one more snow!

My name is Erika. said...

Similar to life in NH too. You took some great photos on your walk to the ditch. That reflection is a great photos, and I love the duck about the jump in the water. I think your latest snow is coming our way. Oh no. Stay warm and hope your snow disappears quickly. Hugs-Erika

Blondie's Journal said...

Such gorgeous pictures, Jeanie! The close ups of the deer are spectacular, and the one for the duck's feet...boy, I was stumped for a second!!! You are a wonderful photographer.

I also love your selfie. You know who you remind me of? Shirley Temple Black. Google a pic of her. You are her doppelgänger!

Stay warm and keep those photos coming. The Farmer's Almanac predicted a cold, snowy winter for us!

Jane

Sami said...

Beautiful photos Jeanie. Love the deer!

Decor To Adore said...

Such amazing images! I particularly like the detail in the webbed foot close up. Nature truly is amazing!

Victoria Zigler said...

I wish there was a way you could send me your unwanted snow.

Glad you were able to get out for a walk around the ditch, and saw some wildlife while you were there. Stay warm, and enjoy some hygge moments while waiting for Spring.

Jenny Woolf said...

As I have said before, wonderful to have somewhere you can walk and see wildlife. It is therapeutic. I don't envy you the snow though. I had enough of it in the Netherlands, even though London has missed the snow which has afflicted the country further north. I love your photo of the deer's head, a lovely image!

Danielle L Zecher said...

I can't blame Harry for heading south. I'd like to be further south than I am to avoid the now and cold. We still have snow on the ground from Monday night's snow, but I'm hoping it will all melt by this afternoon. I'm ready for spring!

Great pictures of the ducks and deer. You look great as well!

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

I love all these photos! And that it was warm enough to go out for a walk. We had a nice warm-up here, too, but it has turned colder and with the windchill it's -24 today. :( I haven't left the house since I got home from the hospital on Saturday afternoon but will have to head out shortly for my perinatal appt. I'm not looking forward to bracing the cold but at least I'll be in a warm car (well, once it warms up!).

I'm dreaming of spring and warmer temperatures - even though it's probably months away!

Tristan Robin said...

Lovely photos!
We're having a mini-thaw here in New England, as well (though it seems so cold I don't know how the snow melts!). Sadly, we don't herons or ducks or deer to greet us on our walks in the 'big city' - mostly just feral cats and the occasional rude child. :P
I do enjoy seeing your photos and reading your commentary - thanks for sharing parts of your daily life and world!

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Beautiful photos Jeanie. I love the photos of the deer and ducks.
And you look just lovely!

I am not sure if I could take that cold, but it sure is gorgeous.

Tracy said...

Thaw... wow... what is that?! LOL...It'll be a while until we're in thaw here, so sometimes I forget what it is... haha! ;) The Ditch is a wondrous place. So much beauty each season. Each season offering something special. And encounters with deer are so special, aren't they?! Their eyes just go into your soul...Almost a hint of spring there at the Ditch. And so GOOD to see YOU!! Love your floral jacket. And your lip looks all well??!! So very glad...:))) ((BIG HUGS))

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

I'm glad I'm not a duck. Their sleeping position doesn't look too comfy. ;) How lovely that the deer showed up when you visited the ditch. It's really a good place to take a walk. There's always something to see. I like snow the best in pictures or on TV, lol. Hopefully spring is not too far away for you. Our winter hasn't been too cold but it's supposed to be rainy and windy for the next days.
xo Julia

Polly said...

Beautiful photos Jeanie. I love the deer and ducks, that’s a great shot of the feet. Lovely photo of you.

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, thank you for the walk! I love the shots your camera was able to get! The mallards are beautiful! Wow, what a difference a day can make! Stay warm and enjoy your weekend!

Marilyn Miller said...

Your snow is so pretty, but looks so cold. How nice that it cleared for awhile, so you could take a walk on the wild side. It was fun to see your wild life.

Olka said...

Thaw? Lucky you! We had 20cm of snow for more than 2 weeks. It was cold and white. To be honest - I hate winter. I like warm days, I love Spring the most!
I can't wait til April, when everything will start to grow up and become green again.
Photos of deers you made are amazing! I really love animals, I love to observe them in their natural environment! I'm also lucky, because I live really close to the forest, but animals usually stay away from the tracks. And this forest is quite popular in our small district society. People are walking with kids there, a lot of people organize grills and picnics on the forest clearing - there are even some designated areas, where you can make a bonfire. Oooh I miss Spring so much, I would love to bike again!

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

I do love the beauty of snow! We have had none to speak of this year. It's been so unusual. I love how you named the deer!! :) Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann

Little Wandering Wren said...

It certainly looks like it has been mighty chilly out your way, I think I would be like those ducks and pulling my head in too until the big thaw! Those deer photos are great.
Wren x

Doodle T said...

Lovely...your soft spirit surely allows you to get all these beautiful close up shots of the animals.

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