A Quiet Day

Yesterday was my birthday. It was a quiet one around here but it was nice. I had a couple phone calls and some birthday wishes from family and friends on Facebook. Even though DH was on a business trip I had some company. The morning was peaceful and beautiful and I posted some pictures on it on an album on Facebook. You can see that by clicking here.

Later in the day the elk came close to the house again so I spent more time with the camera in the sunshine. There are always birds around too. I see a lot of crows and magpies. Earlier in the spring I had a lot of robins around the house hunting for worms in the bark of the flower beds and around the trees. I have seen some mountain bluebirds too but these white ones, which are new to me, were chirping at me from the roof while I sat on the deck. I don't know what they are but if you do leave a comment please as I would love to know.

As I come out of the house I try to move slow and quiet so I don't spook the animals. Getting pictures of the south end of a running elk is not what I want. Being careful I still get looked over. When I see I am getting some attention I freeze so that I don't appear to be any kind of threat.

After awhile they seem to relax and just watch me now and then while they browse or lay down wait to get hungry again. You can see fast growing antlers covered in velvet on the males. What I keep hoping to spot are babies but they either hide them so well in the grasses I have not spotted any or there are no babies in the groups around our house even though a good part of the groups are female.

I suppose at every party, not that I go to many, there is always the rowdy, fun loving guest and I had one of those too. Below you see this elk splashing in the water. He did this for a couple minutes reminding me of a little boy jumping in puddles. He stopped and jumped over the fence into the field when a pickup truck drove by.

So I am 56 now. When I was a silly teenager folks in their 50's seemed to old and I guess that is normal. But 56 don't feel so bad and I suppose there are alternatives that are not so fun to think about.

Amusing and a Question

I find it very amusing that my husband, who has an attitude lately of so what more elk, woke me at 6 am yesterday to see two males with velvety antlers parade through our yard.

Another thought or question for tea drinkers. Do you find that the first cup from a freshly made pot of tea always tastes the best?

I don't mind...

I don't mind going to the Post Office where I live now especially when I get to send one of the things I have made to a new place. This brown headband is on the way to Vermont.

On the way home I was reminded that I do live in a place where the deer and the antelope play. Well it was elk and buffalo but you get the idea.

It is raining now and there are some worries about the local rivers flooding but our home should be safe from any problems. For that I am thankful.

I had a wonderful time

It was a nice weekend and even a nice Monday around here. Over the weekend I got to see a granddaughter graduate from preschool. The cutest thing was that the ceremony was at a local community college. She told everyone she was graduating from college. We all had pizza and chocolate cake to celebrate.

I came home on Sunday to an order in my Artfire shop for this headband.

I took the envelope to the Post Office this morning to send the headband on its way to Vermont. On the way home I saw buffalo grazing along the road not far from where I live.

As I was getting some lunch I looked out the window and saw some elk. You can see in this picture that new antlers are growing and covered in velvet. Sorry about getting the south end of the animals but they are a bit fussy about posing for the camera.

I hope your weekends were just as nice and this is the start of a great week for you all as well.

New Neighbors

 I am so excited to be around all the animals that can be found in the Jackson area.

  During the holidays while wandering around getting to know the area we got to see elk, moose, deer, bison and big horn sheep. Some day I would like a chance to see the wolves of Yellowstone and I should have plenty of time to get that accomplished, if not this year then the next.

I wish my pictures were better but I just had a point and shoot with me and no tripod. With all the possibilities for finding these neighbors out and about I am sure I will bore you with many more pictures of them in the years to come.

I would encourage any visitor to Jackson WY this time of year to go to the east end of town past the hospital and creep along The National Elk Refuge Road. The views of the elk, bison and sheep were amazing and different every time.