A Notice from a Cute Observer

This handsome red-bellied woodpecker has been coming around to the bountiful banister of treats. Peanuts are a particular favorite with him (and many other birds). He was a late nestling last summer and my sister has been watching him figure things out for quite a while. 

He's definitely out of his awkward adolescent phase and has come into his own. These guys are favorites around here and it's especially fun when one becomes a regular visitor. I hope he finds a sweetheart and sets up housekeeping close by.

(Check out the lovely blush on his breast and cheeks.)

And the notice? Spring is coming! Things are looking up! (I know - I just couldn't resist!)

20

I was reflecting this morning that today would have marked the 20th anniversary of my reopening Stampeaz. We almost made it to that milestone! I had some fun things planned for celebrating the day that won't happen now, but that's okay. Many wonderful things happened along the way. 

I met some of the most wonderful and amazing people because of Stampeaz - both in person and online and I just wanted to take a moment to tell you how much I appreciate all of you. Sharing the adventures of art, carving, letterboxing and the quest for a better carving material  enriched my life. 

Thank you!

The Great Frozen Tundra

 No, it isn't really the frozen tundra, but it looks and feels a little bit like it! 

This sweet vole ventured out of its comfy burrow under the cedar roots to grab a sunflower seed. It would peek out, find a seed and dart back to safety again. 

This one had to tunnel under the snow to get to the seed stash beside Madame Cardinal! 

The bay has frozen over and the snow covered ice does make it look like a great expanse of frozen tundra. Tonight the wind came up and scoured some of the snow off and it's beginning to resemble a giant skating rink (people actually do skate across to the island). 

Windy, Wintry Wonders

It's been extremely cold, windy and snowy around here lately (just about everywhere else, too!). 

My sister feeds the birds in the back of the house and along the banister of the front porch. The wind blew so hard all the mealworms and peanuts blew off the rail, but this enterprising little nuthatch found a tasty mealworm to fly off with. 

When it's this cold, the squirrels usually stay curled up in their nests, but one intrepid black squirrel ventured out for some sunflower seeds. It looks really cold, doesn't it? 

The wind and chill caused frost to rim birds' eyes, making them look like they were wearing white mascara. 

But they're absolutely beautiful sheltering in the snow covered cedar. We're looking at Christmas card scenes every day! 

More Meandering Mushroom Memories

As promised, here are a few more mushroom pictures from before the fire. 

I always love the fall fungus walks, because the woods smell like mushrooms and earth - and there's magic in the air. 

Newly blooming mushrooms peek out from the ground to tease the eye. 

Bigger, bolder specimens add more color and texture to the forest floor and I can imagine wee folk sheltering from the rain under their spreading caps. 

Lacy fungus adorn tree trunks like Elizabethan ruff collars. 

And there are occasional growths of stadium seating for tiny fair folk to sit and watch the moonlight dancing!

Flights of fancy often overtake me when I let myself imagine what might go on just beyond our ability to sense it. :)

Mushroom Meandering Memories

I finally finished the latest round of loss list paperwork after the house fire (the deadline was Monday and they sent me additions as late as Saturday afternoon!). 
 

I thought it might be a good opportunity to step back in time and ignore the blowing snow and fire cleaning for a few minutes to celebrate an autumnal mushroom walk Piper and I took before all the excitement began. The bear's head tooth on the decaying fallen tree behind Piper was one of the main reasons for the excursion. They're delicious! 

My mushroom books are all in the pile of things they are trying to clean, deodorize and reclaim (fingers crossed) so I'm missing my reference books and haven't done any identification work. 

There were different textures, colors and growth habits everywhere. 

I thought these (whatever they might be) were particularly interesting It looked like the emerging fungus was being parasitized by a different fungus. These were blooming on the ground near the base of trees and stumps. 

I will post more of these in a day or so. It was a lovely walk with lots to see - and I hope it's a nice break from the cold, wind and snow.  

 

It's Cold Outside!

The wind has been blowing so hard that there is no longer any snow piled up on the branches, but I thought I would post a few pictures taken before it was all blown away into big drifts. It's really not that nice for a walk outside and Piper and I are both going a little bit stir crazy!

So, we watch the birds and squirrels. This goldfinch is taking advantage of the banister banquet, getting a beak full of snow along with the sunflower seeds. 

The doves lined up overlooking the banquet table to make careful plans before gliding in for a treat. 

I think they're pretty framed by snow and branches. They have such warm, rosy brown feathers.