Sunday, March 2, 2014

Around the yard_March 2

  I am linking up with Mosaic Monday and Our World Tuesday 


These are some recent scenes and photos from around the yard and the lake. They were taken the last week of February and the first of March. The weather has still been very cold and snow showers off and on.


 I found out the tracks above were River Otters.  I read that the River Otters will take advantage of any slippery surface to play slide on the snow and ice. They will glide on their bellies with their front paws by their sides. The river otters remain active in the winter using holes in the ice to surface and breathe. They can hold their breathe underwater for eight minutes..





In the larger shot above you can see some open water coming from a river or one of the creeks that lead into our lake.


 Shadows on the frozen lake.



A fox walking across the frozen lake.


A flock of Canada Geese at the lake.



Back at home looking out my dining room window I am able to watch my yardbirds coming and going to the feeders. In the mosaic above is the Dary-eyed Junco with a Blue Jay, two American Goldfinches and the Tufted Titmouse.

It seems we are in for more rain, ice, sleet and snow tonight into Monday..it is predicted we will have around 8-12 inches of snow.. I am hoping this will be the end of the snow and cold weather. I really need some warm sunny days..



Thanks for visiting my blog. I always appreciate your comments.
Join in on the fun and for more wonderful photos please visit  Mosaic Monday and more
 from  Our World Tuesday

 Thanks to our host: Mary our host of Mosaic Monday and to the hosting group of Our World Tuesday: Arija, Gattina, Lady Fi, Sylvia, Sandy and Jennifer.  I wish everyone a happy week ahead!

84 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

river otters! how cute! nice spotting on the fox. and i love the cute goldfinches in the last set.

Montanagirl said...

Sweet winter looks you've given us! The shadows on the snow are really nice. And you have some neat bird shots as well.

Linda W. said...

That's really neat that you discovered the otter slide! And how cool to capture a fox walking out on the lake.

I'll think some warm, sunny thoughts for you. :)

Nancy J said...

Beautiful photos Eileen, I cannot imagine the wonder of having a frozen lake, otters and fox so nearby. Keep warm. cheers from Jean

EG CameraGirl said...

I know what you mean about needing some warmer weather. I generally don't mind winter but this one has dragged on and on with no breaks! I have never seen a river otter out in the wild. How cool!

DeniseinVA said...

Great series of photos Eileen. The snow pictures look really neat, enjoyed learning about the otter tracks and also seeing the fox crossing. It started out a beautiful day in the 50s but in a short space of time the temperature dropped dramatically and now it is giving us icy rain. Snow is on the way.

DIMI said...

Hello Eileen!I hope this will be the end for the snow!Amazing images of the frozen lake!Your yard birds are so preety!!Hope you're safe and warm!Hugs!
Dimi...

Brian King said...

Those otter tracks in the snow are really cool! That's not something you see every day. Love the fox, too!

podso said...

Beautiful snow and icicles! Hopefully spring is on it's way.

Lorrie said...

How fun to imagine river otters playing in the snow and sliding on the ice.
It's so white and beautiful out your way. I'll bet you're wishing for spring, though.

Irene said...

Great shots ... lovely blue sky and white snow. And of course the fox and the otter tracks. Much more than I can show of the Norwegian winter. I's snowing and raining, haven't seen a spot of blue for several weeks. It's turning me nuts!

Wish you a great new week, Eileen!

Hugs from Irene

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi, We are home from a wonderful trip to Arkansas with friends. Photos tomorrow!!!!!

Hope you have had a great week. River Otters, huh??? Who would have known???

Hugs,
Betsy

George said...

You got some beautiful shots of the snow-and-ice covered lake. I can understand, though, why you are ready for Spring. I am, too.

Lowcarb team member said...

What lovely photo's. The cold weather does seem to be going on that little longer this year.

All the best Jan

•°°• IcyBC •°°• said...

Beautiful shots of the otter's track, and I love your birdies!

Wishing warm with this unpredictable weather.

Anonymous said...

Hi Eileen, These are amazing photos. So interesting about the otters.

Stay safe and warm. Blessings to you this week.

Bob Bushell said...

Beautiful yet still with the snow, urgh. Brilliant photos Eileen.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What a nice capture of the fox! And I love seeing those otter tracks. We went to a wildlife park yesterday and watched them play. They are so much fun to see. Enjoy your week! Hugs!

inge said...

Oh would nt it be lovely to see the sea otters sliding on the snow. I love to watch my dog play in the snow and the great fun he has but toot the cleaning up I have to do when he comes into the house. I hope it warms up alittle

Mary said...

What a gorgeous series of photos! A beautiful winterly scenery! I love the fox walking... Great!

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Oh wonderful photos of ice and snow - and the river otter slidings - I love the shadows on the lake. Maybe the fox was trying to find a goose for dinner. Great birds in your yard. I hope the cold weather is gone soon too - even though we don't have it as cold as you do - I'd still like some warm spring days.

Valerie said...

Lovely captures Eileen and thanks for the info about the Otters. I so love the northern hemisphere's climate (but accept that the novelty might wear off after many years of coping with the snow, although I don't mind the cold temperatures). Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.

Stephanie said...

Fabulous images as always!

Betty said...

Beautiful mosaics. We are going to have a few inches of snow again tonight and tomorrow.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

I'm looking out at the same type of white scene now too Eileen. That's interesting to find out about the river otters - that lucky one in Florida will never have to deal with snow, but will miss out on sliding fun!

HappyK said...

Pretty but looks cold!!

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Tammie Lee said...

so many of us have snow and cold weather. we have 8" in the last 24 hours. winter is going out with a bang or it will never leave ;-)

fun to see your photos and your sweet birds.

orchid0324 said...

Dearest Eileen;
Wow, it must be great to be able to see river otters on the icy lake or river. You surprised me the fox on the frozed lake p;)
Great pics of your lovely birds too♡♡♡

Sending you Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

Gardening in a Sandbox said...

I would love to see the otters sliding on their bellies. How cool that would be. Valerie

The Furry Gnome said...

Hey, those are great otter tracks!

Sonja said...

We saw some sea otters near Moss Landing on the California coast and really enjoyed watching them. It would be fun to see otters sliding on ice though.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

love all the tracks. wow, that is fun to see. i love snow for this very reason. to see what is walking around your place. ( :

SandyCarlson said...

Oh, winter! These are really beautiful, Eileen.

Debbie said...

oohhh how cool, a slip and slide for otters!!

I always love seeing your yard birds, wonderful captures!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Eileen, Now you have me jealous! Those River Otters must be having fun. You have wonderful pictures of the fox, the birds, and of course your Otter tracks. I miss my lake but love my new home here in (today) sunny Florida! Have a really happy coming week and try to stay warm!

Lynne said...

Great photos Eileen . . . always! I liked the River Otter trails and learning about them.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

I love the tracks in the snow, and have a feeling that tomorrow, you'll be getting a few more--And I will too!!

.........Come on springtime!!

Rajesh said...

Around the yard is beautiful with so many lovely birds. I like the shots of frozen lake.

diane b said...

The otters know how to have fun. I can't believe you are still having snow falls. It looks pretty though.

Gattina said...

You still have a lot of snow ! the poor animals ! We had no snow at all this winter ! It was the warmest one ever since weather is recorded !

Irma said...

Hi Eileen,
Beautiful collages, what a snow, it does give great pictures.
We have had no winter, now is the full spring.
Have a beautiful week,
Greetings Irma

MastHoliday said...

Very pretty looking the snow field!!!
Have a nice day..

Noushka said...

WOW!
So where is the otter Eileen?!!!!
Now that you've whetted our appetite we demand to see the beast!! LOL!!!
Well OK, I would have been very happy to discover otter tracks and see this fox cross the frozen lake!
And I'd love to see a titmouse once in my life!
Even when we lived in North Carolina I haven't seen them!
Well done Eileen!

Elaine said...

Love those river otter tracks!

Forest Dream Weaver said...

I love the beauty of your snow scenes Eileen,especially the shot of the fox - no doubt happily thinking he is unobserved!
Thank you for sharing.....

Happy Monday!
Ruby

Crafty Green Poet said...

lovely photos specially the fox

Life Images by Jill said...

always wonderful to visit your world through your images Eileen - especially in snow season! Thank you. and thankyou for stopping by my blog today. Stay warm and have a wonderful week.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

What beautiful winter scenes!! I love the fox picture and I love the blue jay :)

islandwonder said...

Great shots! That fox is excellent.

Faith Hope and Cherrytea said...

I love your photos and the info - lovely mosaics! ty for sharing your local beauty with us

A Garden of Threads said...

I agree some sunny warm days would be very welcome. Love the photos especially the otter ones. Hope you don't get too much snow.

Diane AZ said...

I enjoyed seeing the river otter tracks, fox and shadows on the lake and all the birds. Your goldfinches look quite fluffy!

Gail Dixon said...

That fox is so awesome!!! Hope this is the last of your cold snaps for a while. I'm beyond ready for spring also.

Carver said...

Your winter shots are beautiful but I hope you get the warmer weather you long for soon. It's sleeting here now and cold but I doubt we'll get much of an accumulation. I hope not if it's all ice because of the damage. At least we've had breaks of pleasant days in between the cold instead of the constant snow you've been getting.

carol l mckenna said...

Fun info about otters they are so playful and goregous nature photography ~ love your back yard birds and I too ~ like most ~ are ready for sunshine and Spring weather ~ Happy Week to you ~ xxx

artmusedog and carol
www.acreativeharbor.com

Stewart M said...

Great set of pictures - I do like the fox on the ice.

Cheers - Stewart M - Scottsdale, AZ (and Melbourne!)

Alexa T said...

Always so lovely to see the nature in "white"... Thanks for sharing!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

The slide marks of the river otters is fascinating as is the fox going across the frozen lake.

In over 20 years of running the trails on the Arkansas River here in Tulsa I have come across a fox five times. Only once did I have a camera with me.

SquirrelQueen said...

It looks like the river otters have been having lots of fun on the frozen lake. Great capture of the fox on the ice.

Photo Cache said...

i love nature watching thru your posts every week. have a great week.

Ileana said...

Great photos but...i am waiting for Spring!:)
Have a great week!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Thanks for sharing the pics. The only way I enjoy snow now days is seeing it in pics. Looks and sounds like you got it worse than we did. What we did get last night and early this am was enough - ice, sleet and snow.

Leora said...

Love all the beautiful scenery, even if it's icy cold. The fox is a charmer.

Al said...

What an awesome lake to have nearby - lovely photos.

Our Neck of the Woods said...

I never knew that about river otters. How cool! Hope you guys don't get buried under snow!

Lew said...

The snow does make for a beautiful winter scene, but I agree we have had enough winter and it's time for easing into spring. My snow shovel got a workout on the previous snow. The blower arrived about 10 days ago - a gift from my eldest daughter.

Our photos said...

Your snow photos are beautiful!

Anonymous said...

What wonderful shots. I'd love to see those River Otters playing!

Randi said...

Beautiful winter photos! Wow...otter tracks so close! Your nature is amazing.

Indrani said...

Otters! How exciting!
Great series from your world as always!

avalon said...

You are a proper birder, with all ticks accounted for.
I don't envy you that snow, but the pictures are great.

Birgitta said...

Very nice and beautiful photos!

Scaniatjejen said...

Nice pictures! So serene!

Hootin Anni said...

Otter tracks...cool!
But oh the cold....BRRRRRR

Maria said...

Great scenic snow scenes!

Anonymous said...

It would be so much fun to watch the otters play! I do hope the snow disappears soon.

Poppy said...

Gorgeous pictures of the lake, Eileen! I've always been afraid to walk on a frozen lake, but it sure looks pretty and enticing!

Have a wonderful week!

Poppy

Barb said...

I love seeing the river otter belly tracks! Looks like you're still in the deep freeze.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

It seems like winter is never going to end up there! But I do love your winter birds.

Otters are kind of amazing creatures, the way they like to play.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Hi Eileen, finally arrived, sigh, really neat those River Otter snow tracks and the Red Fox crossing the frozen lake is really cool. I always enjoy my visits with you ;)

Jen Sanford said...

Wow, a fox AND river otter tracks?! So awesome!!

Helma said...

Beautiful pictures of the lake and the fox that runs over it. I enjoy snow and ice and you have a wonderful series shot.
Greetings

NatureFootstep said...

you still have that much snow? Ours is gone. :)

Happy Monday!

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