Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Wily-Nily Wednesday

Or as I often say "Out of the Garden".  You can see why our walks have been somewhat curtailed.  We haven't walked quite as long what with the weather being so cold and snowy.

Even the Wabash River has had mini ice bergs floating down the river.


Today though it has warmed up a bit.  At least the icebergs have melted.


Of course Luna doesn't care how cold it is or how snowy. She loves this kind of weather. She doesn't get hot.  It is difficult to keep her from racing ahead.  She has to sniff almost every other paw print or any other trail left behind.


Speaking of trails. I found this unusual paw print in the snow on top of a table. Does anyone know what paw this might be?


I realize the above isn't a great photo but with my binoculars I could see this Great Horned Owl sitting in the pine tree soaking up the morning sun. If you click on the photo you should have a better look at it.
I wish you all could have been with me to see it.  The Great Horned Owls nested in this area last year. I didn't want to disturb this owl while it was sunning itself.  It probably has been having a difficult time finding food while there has been such a thick snow cover for so many days.  Something we don't usually have to deal with here.  I hope you have a nice sun-filled winters day.

22 comments:

  1. Wow, that owl is beautiful and pretty big. It's clear that your Luna and my Tara are doggies from the same mold, they may not look the same, but boy do they behave the same in the snow. ;-)

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  2. Hi Lisa, the paw looks like a raccoon to me. Luna looks so happy, and the sun is shining, a good thing. Oh, I love owls of all kinds, how lucky for you to spot one. We have only seen them in captivity, and still couldn't take our eyes off of them.
    Frances

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  3. I LOVE owls! Too cute.

    Isn't it fun to watch the dogs in the snow? I always think, "Ah, now I can SEE why she's doing that crazy zig-zag trot--she's following the tracks!" :)

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  4. Ho my goodness Lisa....how wonderful to see an owl. I did enlarge, and it took me a while to find it but when I did...wow, amazing.

    Nella is enjoying the snow....I love the way Luna blends in so well...good job she has an extension lead, otherwise you may not see her....

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  5. What a lovely day for a walk, and it's obvious that Luna is in her total element. Lucky you to see a Great Horned Owl! We have barred owls around here, and in fact a nursery-owning buddy of mine is building 'owl houses' and has promised me one for up in the spruce trees. I'm thinking the track is probably a racoon that woke up and was hungry. They do that!

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  6. I am glad to hear you are ambitious and walking. I have been hibernating. Luna looks lustrous. At least the sun is shining brightly and spring is, well, a long way off.

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  7. Lisa this is not an owl we have here in France - what a treat to find him or her - looks like a good spot for warming up somewhat in all that cold weather. We do have owls here - love listening to them at night in our woodland area but I think they must be struggling somewhat to find food with many of the mice and voles huddled underground - enjoy the snow - Miranda

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  8. We still have snow! That is so unusual in this part of the country. Most of it is melted, but we still have some. Tomorrow, we're supposed to have thunderstorms. I'm not looking forward to it except they will melt the snow. Happy Wednesday.~~Dee

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  9. I agree with Frances & Jodi, that's a coon print. Luna the Snowdog looks so happy.

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  10. Sometimes I wonder if the challenge of winter is the lack of warmth or the lack of color. I am inclined to vote for the latter. These are marvelous photos. In their beauty they remind me, color is gone for now.

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  11. Remind me not to go boating on the Wabash in the winter:) Luna and Sophie would have a great time together! Sophie either stops for a long time to sniff everything or lunges ahead to find the next exciting thing, nearly pulling my arm out of its socket. This weekend, though, when it was well below zero she didn't stay out very long--apparently she does have a limit.

    How exciting to see the owl! I hear them here in the summer and fall, but never get to see them in the daylight to identify them.

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  12. I love the "Wily-Nily" title. That's my style, for sure. Your water photos are beautiful, and Luna does look like a dog who belongs in the snow. Heidi likes to sniff things wherever she goes, too.

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  13. So nice to see that owl. Sure the days must have been difficult for the wild life.
    Luna looks at home in the snow!

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  14. Things go better with sunshine -- even snow and ice. Glad to hear you're starting to thaw. We're pretty much back to a normal winter down in the Ozarks.

    Great shot of Luna. Our two don't mind the snow either and often come back from a walk more invigorated than when we left, which is not the point of walking them.

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  15. Lisa, glad to see you are out and about with Luna. I don't blame you for not being out as much though these last few days. Bitter cold and deep snow are not that inviting to humans. :)

    The owl is beautiful. We raely hear one anymore let alone get to see one. Thanks for sharing!

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  16. WOW sun, ive almost forgotten what thats like :), nice post I love walking in the cold crisp air.

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  17. Your river looks strong and mighty cold! Nice that you and Luna took to the path and enjoyed the day!

    Wow! You encountered a GHO! How fantastic! (did he share any wisdom with you?) I once heard that the GHO is the biggest enemy of the skunk.

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  18. Now that looks c-c-c-c-coooooooollllllldddddddddd!

    Loved the beautiful shot of the owl and Luna - both lovely creatures in their own rights.

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  19. Hi Lisa, I would guess the print is a raccoon; possibly a squirrel; it depends on the size. I'm glad my titles were inspiring, LOL! My SIL also goes for a walk every day because of her two dogs. It's nice to have an encouraging walk partner!! P.S. Any plans for visiting Ann Arbor this year?

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  20. Hi Lisa,
    I concur with Monica on the footprint....longer than 2 inches? definitely raccoon then.
    Glad your icebergs have melted and you and Luna are able to enjoy some outside time in the sun.
    Great Horned Owl sighting is super cool--especially in the daytime!

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  21. Agree, I'm pretty sure thats a raccoon track.

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  22. We've got a Great Horned Owl here, too. Romie has seen it up close. I've only seen it in flight as we approach. It comes to our yard fairly often and when it hoots, it's difficult to ignore and sleep! They're LOUD! We hear it down at the cemetery (from our house) nearly every night. I love hearing it!

    Great eye, Lisa, but then, you are the master bird watcher!

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