Friday, November 22, 2013

Early Morning Musings


I woke up early today, right before the sun rose over a frosty landscape. 

I saw an eagle making his early morning flight over the house, 
from his mountain roost to his daily hunting grounds. 

Behind him flew two ravens.


Ravens will follow bears, coyotes, cougars and eagles to help clean up any kills. 

Nature values cooperation. 


It is unusually cold here and we have had several nights of hard frost due to the clear skies. 

I woke up to a sparkling world. 


It was important for me to get up early because I had to put out the nectar feeders for my over-wintering Anna's Hummingbirds. On these cold nights I have to take the feeders inside so they don't freeze. 

This photo was taken this morning. 
This little beauty is a male Anna's. 
His dark head flashes brilliant ruby in the sunlight. 


The cold, frosty air and early morning light illuminated jet trails streaking through the sky. 


These two looked to be very close together, but of course they were probably miles apart. 

I did hold my breath for a moment.....


Finally, the sun broke free of the mountains and spread its welcome light and warmth across the landscape.


Sunlight filters through the bedroom curtains as I wake my sleepy Mr. for one last day of work this week. 


I make my way into the kitchen to brew a pot of steaming coffee
 and light the morning fire in the wood stove. 


Whitey is reluctant to leave his cozy quarters on the day-bed, but Champ is ready for his morning walk...... 


He waits for me on the deck after going through the pet door, 
still a little sleepy-eyed with messy bed-head fur. 

But I am not ready to brave this frosty world quite yet. 


I pour myself a cup of coffee and fill my bucket with bird seed as the dogs excitedly jump and bark.

They love our morning walks.


I love these rare sunny days as the sunlight streams through the windows.

I down my coffee while impatient dogs try to hurry me with imploring eyes and restless feet.

I quickly throw on my warm, red plaid flannel and grab my supplies - bucket of seed, suet cakes, hot water to melt ice in the bird bath, and trusty camera.


Weenie Baby and Peanut refuse to brave the cold and hate wearing their sweaters, so we leave them basking in the sunlight until our return.

I have been pet sitting these two little ones for several weeks until my daughter moves to a new home.


The cottonwood trees bravely stand bare against the dark evergreens in the morning light.

Even this time of year, subtle colors beautify the landscape.

Gray trunks and rosy branches give a painterly quality to the wintry scene.


Moss grows thick on every surface in the damp, cool air.


Sedum glows under a layer of frost.


Feet crunch as we walk along, while hungry birds patiently wait for a hand out.

A tiny Red Breasted Nuthatch peeks around the tree as I fill the feeder.

Chickadees, Juncos, Stella Jays, and shy Mourning Doves wait patiently nearby.


Red berries are ripe on the Holly tree, providing treats for Robins, Waxwings, and other berry eating birds.



While my mind drifts to visions of holiday decorations....


With the birds fed and the dogs taken for their morning walk, I head back inside to the warmth of the fire.


Peanut says hello!


I will be taking a short break to spend time with family -


So I will wish all of my American friends a Happy Thanksgiving!

And thank you to everyone for all of your sweet visits and lovely friendship.

xoxo

Choose thy friends like thy books, few but choice.

- James Howell -

I do then with my friends as I do with my books.
I would have them where I can find them, but I seldom use them.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson -




31 comments:

  1. Gorgeous pictures, especially of the hummingbird. We only have ruby-throated, so I enjoy seeing others. We are going to have a very cold weekend, highs in the 20's. Hope your weekend is a little warmer:)

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  2. Lovely post. I especially love the hummingbird--you're so luck to see them!

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  3. Your morning sounds like something I would truly enjoy seeing. Beautiful and frosty for sure. I do not mind frosty:) Hug B

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  4. Lovely shots today, and your pups are just adorable. I hope it warms up just a bit for you!

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  5. This morning was awfully cold ~ we are having the same clear skies and cold nights. I am so glad not to have to walk my daughter to school tomorrow morning. I think it is great that you have to motivation to get up to feed the hummingbirds. They must love you for it! And I really like your lace curtains. I bought a set of lace curtains for my craft room and they add such an elegant touch to the room. All of your photos are very beautiful. I hope you have a great weekend!

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  6. great photos -- love mornings too.. but at 28 degrees I am staying put in the house..wink! I miss my morning walks. A very nice quote at the end -- food for thought indeed! Have a super wonderful ans safe weekend...
    Hugs

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  7. I LOVE the expression on Champ's face!

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  8. What lovely mornings you have with your dogs, birds and that nice hot cup of coffee. I can't believe the hummingbirds stay during the winter. How fortunate that you have all that wildlife to enjoy!!

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  9. Just stunning and so captivating. I always feel that way when I read your blog. Your pix are just so good and I always feel like I'm on a little journey.
    Happy Thanksgiving to you too.
    Love,
    Linda

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  10. So gorgeous Karen! I can not believe that eagle! It is amazing!!! And your photos wow...where do I even begin! They are all so gorgeous!!! We are getting some cold weather here too this weekend. I just love that mossy stump and how warm your home feels! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family friend! We will meet again soon!!!

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  11. Oh with a mountain waiting I'd be up early each morning too, to greet it. Love that little nuthatch peeking around the tree. I adore the Stellar Jays - so aptly named. I can almost hear the crunch of the frosty grass as you walk along - and feel the fire as you come indoors. Love the new header - Happy Thanksgiving to you too.

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  12. Dearest Karen,
    Oh my, that is tough for stepping outside with frost on the ground still. Peanut and Weenie Baby know better! My miniature dachshund Mauzie we had to push outside when it rained, she didn't want to go and pee...
    Poor Champ, he was trying so hard to lure you outside right away!
    Lovely photos and that early morning sun is like a GIFT when it warms the home and the heart.
    Happy Thanksgiving to you as well.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  13. Hi Karen,
    It was lovely spending a chilly (COLD) morning with you... and I am glad to know I am not the only one waking early to feed the Hummingbirds:-)
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family...
    hugs,
    Bella

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  14. Love Karen

    What wonderful pictures of nature. The early morning is a very charming moment and really magical. How nice that the dogs has such a love guardian. I was wondering how you do with the hummingbirds and kept the nectar in winter. Now I know. The photo with the curtains looks quite magical. I wish you a nice time with the animals and nature.
    Regards Rita

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  15. I can't believe you captured that picture of the hummingbird. That's awesome. The eagle pic is as well. Peanut is a beauty :)

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  16. what a beautiful morning! Wintering hummingbirds -what a treat!

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  17. beautiful thoughts and photos as always. it's a bit nippy here in OR as well. I didn't venture out today, stayed indoors, except for taking the garbage out. Oh dear me, it was so pretty outdoors. I made cookies though and cleaned out a drawer of my old desk I'm slowly going through. It's a process but it's gonna be nice to have new desk where it needs to be. Good memories of old desk though. Found a few treasures while going thru papers. I saw two or three snow capped mtns Friday on my way to visit my mom. Beautiful! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  18. Just amazing beauty!! Beautiful photos ,you are so blessed to be surrounded with beauty like this every day.
    Have a great Sunday!

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  19. Hello Karen. Great pictures you show - I ♥ pictures of your dogs. Wishing you and your a good day for it new week :) Hugs Hanne Bente ♥

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  20. It does look cold there! Brrr! The sunlight looks really pretty coming in through the curtains. We are having a similar morning - only in the low 30s this morning and had a hard freeze last night. But it is sunny and beautiful :)

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  21. This is wonderful again Karen! Your pictures tell a nice story ;-)

    Warm greetings from the Netherlands,
    dzjiedzjee.blogspot.com

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  22. Your life sounds so different from mine. I like it that blogging brings it closer :-)! The mountains, the far reaching views, the birdsong.....It all so very beautiful!

    Thank you for your kind comments on my blog too!

    Have a lovely week!

    Madelief x

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  23. What gorgeous photographs! You always have an eye for seeing the fine details and the beauty that others would miss. And I just love Champ's tousled morning look! Enjoy your Thanksgiving, Karen. I hope you get to put your feet up and be waited on for a change. x

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  24. What a lovely post - I didn't want to see it end! Thank you for sharing your morning :)

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  25. Karen your life story is deep and good to read, wanted it to be a book because it is an example of life and marriage. A story to be told to grandchildren and pass from generation to generation ....
    I love cold to stay in bed until later days, and you got up early to take these fantastic photos, winter began for y'all, that delights saw!
    A blessed week for you and a big kiss!

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  26. what a beautiful morning routine you have.....I love the look of your bedroom curtains..such pretty blue florals. Wishing you a very blessed Thanksgiving! xo

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  27. Wonderful post the photos are so beautiful....your beautiful surroundings always cheer my day.....Hugs May x x x

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  28. *´¨)
    ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
    (¸.•´ (¸.•` ¤ Happy Thanksgiving! ¤

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  29. Gorgeous images. You have amazing views.

    My favorite was the Annas hummingbird--great pic. Do they overwinter in your region? Overwintering hummers is a recent phenomena in our part of Texas but we've had young male Rufous hummers the past two winters and a couple are hanging around now at the start of 2013-2014 winter.

    I came to you via a link in a comment by Stacy of Sweethearts & Sweet Tarts blog, made on a post on my blog which has hummingbird pictures, Hill Country Mysteries: http://www.hillcountrymysteries.com/2013/12/winter-texans.html

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting, Kathleen! Yes, we do have overwintering hummingbirds here! I was not aware of it until just two years ago when I saw one coming to my long empty feeder in February! Since then I have read that they do overwinter, so I have been getting up very early on freezing cold days to make sure to set out unfrozen nectar. No matter how early I go out, they are waiting for me, chirping in the trees. It has been my incentive to get up with the sunrise!
      I am glad that you found me and I will be visiting you. :) xo Karen

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