It's Been Too Long!

 I will try to do better!

I guess I am still adapting from the loss of my lifelong companion. There were also a lot of details around that loss that needed handling. Fortunately I think they are mostly done and that I am getting used to the " new normal".

I finally got out and did a little hunting (with the camera, of course).Only one thing showed up and that was a Spruce Grouse. The lighting was difficult but I took the pictures anyway.

Spruce Grouse

Spruce Grouse

Tamarack Turning

Needless to say, after a three mile hike through the bush the dogs were worn out! I have to post an "after" photo of each dog!

Missy

Daphne

From This........to This

In only two days!

 The Larch, or Tamarack are beautiful

 The access trails are sunny and bright

 Then came the snow!

 It doesn't faze my faithful companion though.

 -3 C, feeling like -10 and she still wants to run! Oh well, only six months till spring!

Fall is Here!

We had -6C overnight and the cold weather effects are becoming very noticeable! 

The Tamarack (Larch) are turning their bright yellow. It won't be long before the needles fall off. The Larch is the only Deciduous tree that loses its needles.

The small ponds are starting to get a slight crust of ice on them. The rest of the bush is getting very drab looking.

More larch in various states of shedding compared to a couple of White Spruce.

Even this slightly flowing creek is ice covered.

The local farmers have most of their crops up. The "baggie" takes the place of the barns or storage bins. I am assuming that they blow it into store it and suck it out into trucks when they take it to market. Some farmers are talking of wheat yields of 125 bushels per acre!

More ice scenes.

I disturbed several mallards on this pond. They must have paddled all night to keep the area open. Four in a row.

Winter seems to be approaching fast, even though it is early October. Snow is forecast for Saturday. I hope it is not the 50 cm the Manitoba and Saskatchewan got yesterday

Gone Walkabout

 We did a long walk today trying to find some wild life. When I stepped out of the truck, this Downy Woodpecker was in a tree overhead. We also saw one grouse (no pictures due to dogs giving chase), one chickadee (ditto) and not much else. 

 It was a bright, sunny day, a great day for just walking. The temperature was just below freezing.

 We walked along the edge of a Larch plantation. It was very large. If you notice the planting density of 2400 trees per hectare, it was very thick. The Larch, or Tamarack as I know it, is naturally occurring, but somebody has plans for these in about 20 more years. 

I was wondering what type of critter made these tracks.

When I caught up with same critter, it turned out to be a very tired Brooklyn, sort of a side winder.

Wordless Wednesday (almost)

 I never knew that Tamarack trees (European Larch) flowered. This was the one we planted over Boom's resting place. It looks like it made the winter and is doing well.