I met my first friend

Sunrise over the mountain

So silent too!

April in the mountains

Up just before dawn, and what do I see?  I arrived at the new house the night before to check out things before renovations started. Snow I was not expecting, though,of course, it was no surprise. The beauty and the fresh air was! 

A New Path

I'm surrounded by boxes! In less than a month the Retreat will be moving to it's new loation. I can only wonder what creatures may come to visit. We will be far away from traffic noise, low flying aircraft and heavy freight trains. It's bound to be quite an experience. Hopefully both still and video cameras will be set up and running in short order. ATB!

It looks like it will be a white christmas

First a touch of freezing rain, then a day later about an inch of snow. Today it's very cold -17C or about 0 on the farenheit scale. Just in time as christmas is only a day away.

Hey, Rusty.....

It snowed last night, and Mr Squirrel is complaining about the bird food.. (Which he will at least sample).

Winter Arrives

But with a light freezing rain - no snow. The trees and shrubs seem covered with diamonds as a new day arrives with a clear sky.

Move Delayed

The proposed move to the north country has been put on hold until next spring. This photo is about where the 'Retreat' will be relocated - hopefully by early next May. The main house is just out of sight off to the right. The small river is straight ahead and just in view. It should be a great spot to watch all sorts of critters. (Including bears - i'm not sure I'm too keen on them). Grin.

Summer Past

The flowers have faded. Halloween will soon be here.,

It'sthat time of year

The sun will be setting just behind the church about November 11 or so. The winter cold will start moving in again. But can spring be far behind?

Almost ready for winter

Gizmo has been storing up reserves for the coming winter.

Gizmo Hogg packing it on...

And almost ready for winter.This little fellow is becoming quite content and seemingly happy.

The Night Shift Arrives

This friendly youngster is quite willing to clean up anything that has been left by the daytime birds or Gizmo Hogg. Thankfully this one is almost completely odorless, at least for now. :))

Gizmo Hogg

Gizmo is wondering why I have not left his breakfast out.

G.H. (Aka Gizmo Hog) Returns

Gizmo is ever alert and ready to scram for home. I must move very slowly and quietly. This has to be the smallest groundhog I have ever seen. But I'm happy he seems to call my backyard home. Being a vegetarian he has a taste for the bird food I put out.

Old Friends Return?

Much to my surprise this time. But that's antoher story. Now these two seemed to know me, perhaps a pair of kits from last year. Or - is this a mom and one quickly growing kit? I have no idea.

More Flowers

In spite of the miserable spring weather, the summer heat has done wonders for many of the plants in the garden.

A New Garden Friend

Now I know who was making all the noise under the retreat. It was not a young skunk, but this little groundhog. Though very shy, he (or she) keeps coming back. Yes, I call him (or her) Gizmo. I have no idea why that name seemed to stick - it just did.

A Hint

Of (I hope) the Retreats new location by this fall.