LIfe at High Altitude in Colorado


May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.

-Edward Abbey, naturalist and author (1927-1989)




Friday, October 14, 2011

Random Thoughts - Snow!

Hello my friends! 
Several of you have checked on me via E-mail because I haven't posted in awhile. Thank you for being concerned about my well-being. I'm feeling quite fine! The truth is I've been too busy enjoying Life to write about it! We had a visit from my friend, Mary, and her husband last week. It snowed while they were here! In just a few days, fall changed into winter at altitude. Since then, we've had balmy, sunny days, but a bit of snow still remains on the ground around the house. Perhaps this will be our winter's base - but I'm waiting to sow my perennial seeds until I'm sure.
We've had some frequent visitors to our yard in the past couple weeks:
This tiny fox shows up in the late afternoon.
It pretends to be nonchalant, but sneaks hopeful glances at me.
Got any fox snacks?
Finally it moves on to find more productive "hunting" grounds.

Snort! Oh, it's only you, Barb! You startled me.
Small herds of deer arrive late in the day.
I used will power when these were blooming - but surely you can't begrudge me now!
They're very interested in what's left in my garden.
It seems that Delphinium and Jacob's Ladder are especially tempting.

After a slow spring start because of all of last winter's snow, my gardens bloomed nonstop until the snow fell. I've made a garden slideshow which I'll keep on the sidebar a couple weeks for anyone interested. Special thanks to my Blog friend, Christine, whose album, FRAGILE BEAUTY provides the background music.

46 comments:

Wanda..... said...

That's one-cute-sly-looking-little fox and the Buck has a beautiful brow line! Glad you were having fun in the snow, Barb!

Al said...

That fox is so cute. We had one around here like that, he'd think my little dog was a fox snack. We had snow here last weekend too, but it's all gone now. But it certainly made for some lovely pictures with the aspen to give it some contrast!

Lisa RedWillow said...

Barb they both look like they dont want to be looked at by you .
Too cute is that fox and the deer us just wonderful.
Snow already oh wow. Its still nice here in my part of Canada. I have been missing also . Hoping to write a blog or just post photos soon.

Gaelyn said...

If the fox isn't cool enough your garden movie is Awesome!

Having company and playing is a great excuse for not blogging.

Delwyn said...

Hi Barb
what gorgeous animals - well photographed... I agree with you that the fox looks accustomed to people...he has that look about him...
His colouring is lovely, almost a grey X under his neck...and his tail looks brushed...

becky said...

Barb, I knew you were out there somewhere having fun!! (personally, i have been the worst blogger the past couple of months... sometimes things get so busy, AND we get busy doing the things we love, too!)
Your fox is BEAUTIFUL!! He looks right into your soul, doesn't he. Your first deer reminds me of groucho marx's big eyebrows. We've had a couple of gorgeous days here, I am soaking it in before winter truly comes.
take care Barb!
:)

Linda Myers said...

Lucky you to be enjoying all the animals.

Ebie said...

I thoroughly enjoyed your higher elevation world. The video and music is soooo soothing.

Paulie said...

Great catch! Love the fox as much as the snow -- well, almost!

Filip Demuinck said...

Super pictures again. I just saw your other blog too.

Greetings,
Filip

June said...

I believe those animals do know you by name. I haven't seen any foxes in a long time, so it's nice to see yours. Very sweet little animals.
The deer are, of course, awesome, and I'd let them have whatever they wanted!
...as if I could stop them.

Susannah said...

Such beautiful photos! They really are wonderful.

Quiet Paths said...

Wow, wow, wow I am so amazed at the color and variety you have in your flower garden. Your slideshow is wonderful. Thanks for the link, Barb! We still sell CDs after all these years and Fragile Beauty is among the favorites.

Carol Mattingly said...

I knew you had to be out living life. And I see winter life is finding its way to your door along with all those cute creatures. Good to hear from you. Love that cute fox. Carol

ladyfi said...

Snow! And my, what utterly delightful visitors. Such fabulous shots!

EG Wow said...

You are lucky to have such wildlife come up so close to you. Most of us have to go out and look for it. :)

NCmountainwoman said...

Beautiful photographs (as always). No need to apologize for enjoying life even if your blog is put to one side for a while. As you know, this life is not a dress rehearsal.

Arkansas Patti said...

My heart stopped a bit when I saw that darling red face. I once rescued a red fox from some people that had her chained to a tree. She had been bottle raised so could not go into the wild. I kept her uncaged for 10 years. Such a beauty and such a smart animal the fox is.

Andrea said...

A foxy wink and garden assistants. What a lovely helpers you have.

whalechaser said...

Gee...
And all this right outside your back door? You are the lucky one!
Thanks for sharing!
Whale

sandy said...

What a lot of visitors! I hope they all appreciate your lovely garden, and not just for the flower salads.

Your flowers and Christine's music--a perfect match.

The Cranky Crone, she lives alone! said...

How beautiful and tranquil your place looks, how I would love to sit on that swing chair amongst all that high nature, your plants look so at home as do the wild life.
Thank you for the slide show, I think I will watch it again and again, wow moose to boot! now wonder to have not the heart to blog with all that outside there.

Tammie Lee said...

I am so glad that you have been enjoying life!
your visitors and their portraits are awesome. I have only seen a few fox in my life. They are wonderful looking.

Martha Z said...

You live in a wonderland of nature. I am still envious of your fox, it seems like we should have them at the cabin, maybe they don't coexist well with the coyotes.

KB said...

Your fox photos are stunning! His eyes look so deep and knowing. He is just plain gorgeous.

While it's too bad that someone is giving the fox handouts, it is cool that you get to see him so close up. Wow.

A very cool study was done a long time ago that showed that foxes can be tamed very easily with selective breeding. I wonder if you're getting a line of tame foxes in your area?

Isn't it astounding how short summer seems to be?

Happyone:-) said...

Great shots of the fox. Wow!!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

That Fox is extremely cool, as are the deer. We're running our A/C today but it is supposed to get down into the 40's soon

snowwhite said...

I am amazed that many wild animals visit your yard! They need a lot of food to prepare for a long winter. The fox seems to be cautious but curious and interested in you very much. His eyes are so expressive and deep.
Barb, your beautiful autumn is too short.
Your photos always take me to such a wonderful trip and I enjoy it very much. Thanks a lot.

Best wishes,
keiko

Deb Shucka said...

I'm so envious that you have a fox! Great pics of the changing of the seasons. I always feel such a sense of connection to the earth when I read your blog.

Ruth said...

Barb, the delicacies of your woodland garden have nurtured me this morning. The fox, snow, pansy, columbine, and every flower in your slide show, with tinkling music. Thank you. I do love foxes, and we rarely get them in our sights, let alone at such close proximity as this.

Laurie Brandriet Keller said...

oh barb, you gorgeous creature, surrounded by other gorgeous creatures. i think of you often from here on the prairie. i have many wonderful things going on in my life. we have spent some time in the black hills, me behind the camera and ron behind his pick digging for agates and rose quartz. i see jewelry on the horizon and i am learning to cut and polish. you are the first to know : )
have a great day. i love you and lucinda dearly. xoxo.

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

It was good to hear from you! No we don't have snow here yet, but a thousand feet above my place there is quite a bit. It's only a matter of weeks before we have it here. I'm actually a little excited about it, but I'll more than likely be really sick of snow by April!

xxoo,

RMW

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

LOve those frequent visitors. The fox actually looks like he's winking in that one picture. Now that is sly!

Glad you're enjoying your Autumn.

upwoods said...

Mary's going to think she's in a heat wave when she returns home. LOL! It's in the 40's here and COLD but we haven't seen any snow. I loved your animal pics, especially the contrast between the flowers and fur.

Rosemary Nissen-Wade said...

Tis is a very beautiful blog altogether; this post and all the others too. What a wonderful part of the world you live in!

Ebie said...

Enjoy your hike Barb.

stardust said...

Barb, you had pleasant surprises one after another! All of them are lovely visitors. Now I’m wondering what the difference between these creatures and humans. Some people think humans are superior.... but how can we know it? The fox looks winking at us. The buck is so manly. Superb captures of the wildlife!
Have happy days ahead, Barb.

Red Rose. said...

Hello,Barb.
Your fox is sooo cute. I love his expressive eyes and upright ears.
Tomoko

Maria said...

Hi Barb! Your photos of the fox and deer are just beautiful! The face of the fox reminds me of my daughter, Amanda's dog, Mr. Darcy. The faces of deer are so majestic and sweet. I know if I had to hunt for my own food, I would settle for fruits and nuts :-)
Wishing you beautiful autumn days until Breckenridge winter weather settles in.
Many blessings always, Maria

Nature-Drunk said...

So happy I stumbled upon your blog!

I love Colorado, in fact, I visit Paonia several times per year. My cousin's ranch is full of wildlife like elk, deer and fox. I always feel so blessed when an animal graces me with its presence.

Thanks for the lovely posts.

Kerri said...

Wonderful wildlife! Makes my heart sing!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

This is such a rich post -- I am back again (catching up from my bloglist, which I didn't use before when I came). But I'm glad I came again -- this time I managed to take my gaze off the foxes and think more about this history of this beautiful area -- and think about the hardships the pioneers endured.
I remain in awe of the length of your daily walks!

Milena said...

Oh my goodness, those fox pictures are truly magical. I have quite a soft spot for foxes, we have an urban family who stroll the streets at night and truly love playing chase in the snow in the winter.

Jeanie said...

Too busy to blog is a good thing! Those foxes -- those photos. Honestly, you should enter those some place or another. They are absolutely stunning. And all the more so because they are in your territory, so close. My one close encounter with a deer, I didn't dare move to activate my camera! Lucky you! Lucky us for your sharing!

Lisa Wilson said...

I love the fox photos! Definitely should be printed and framed!

Jana said...

great wildlife pictures...