Just Thought I'd Say . . .

Merry CHRISTmas, everyone!

~ Mara

~ Cougar Screams ~

Last night Mom had to walk the dog so Sara stayed on the deck to keep watch. For two reasons. - 1) because we heard coyotes in our woods the night before and saw their tracks the next morning and 2) because there have been signs of a cougar in the neighborhood. After a couple of minutes, Mom noticed that Crockett was pointed at one spot in the woods: The pit where we dump our left-overs. It was snowing and too dark to see all the way to the edge of the woods but she knew he saw/heard something. Then a strange sound came from the pit - a deep grumbling growl mixed with a steady purr. Here is a recording that sounds exactly like what we heard . . . http://www.partnersinrhyme.com/soundfx/animals/animals_sounds/BigCats_sounds/lion_cougar7_wav.shtml

The rest of us were inside and heard Mom shout, "Sara! Get in the house now!" They ran in and Sara looked as if she were going to cry. "There's a cougar out there!" Mom was laughing nervously and said yes, there was a cougar out there. After a couple of minutes, Mom took me out to stay on the deck and listen. Unfortunately the children had been playing around with the camera and the memory card was full so I couldn't record the sound. While I was fighting with that, I heard it. And I am telling you it was the scariest sound I had ever heard! It was right over by the pit, but no matter how hard I strained I couldn't see a thing. That is the worst situation to be in - to hear a cougar but not see it. The growling purr lasted for around 3o seconds, long enough for us to realize that it sounded as if the cougar was walking as it growled, puffing in the cold night air.

We came back in the house to call Grandpa who lives right up the road from us. While Mom called, I changed the batteries in our big flashlight. When she was finished on the phone I begged some more and we went out again. That's when we saw them; huge prints in the pit in the edge of the woods. A couple of nights ago Mom was walking the dog and heard some sort of scream. She described it as . . . An owl screeching? A human screaming for help? No. It was a cougar, it sounded like this - http://www.partnersinrhyme.com/soundfx/animals/animals_sounds/BigCats_sounds/lion_cougar6_wav.shtml

There have been a few clues pointing to cougar(s) in the area - Perseus and Crockett do not bark at the neighbors' dogs, or even at the coyotes that yip in the woods every night. But on several occasions recently they have barked and growled at something. Something us humans haven't seen or heard. What else makes a dog run back to the house, tucking it's tail in fright?



~ Mara

~ Bird Nerd ~

That's me!

I love birds. From sparrows to eagles and woodpeckers to cranes, each bird is unique. Different diets, habitats, nests and eggs - they're like thumbprints.



2010 has probably been my busiest year of all. A lot of things happened and I did quite a bit of work with area GOP candidates. Unfortunately, I did not do as much birding as I wanted to. I did see over 30 Whooping Cranes, and I did see a Barn Owl fly in front of the living room window yesterday . . . But I love serious birding. Walking through the woods with a field guide, a checklist and a camera - without a sound.

For those who would like to know what bird books to get, I suggest the work of David Allen Sibley. The bird guide that I have is not the most informative book, but it does tell the basics and shows the different views and coloration of many, many birds. I love it.


~ Mara

~ Dog Meet Dog ~

About a week ago, we took Crockett down the road to our grandparents place to meet Perseus, an 8 month old Siberian Husky. Crockett was calm and sat down on the ground to watch Perseus who seemed to be afraid of him. He wasn't being territorial, but jumping away from Crockett and barking from a distance. After a few minutes Perseus calmed down and started sniffing Crockett, especially his ear where he had been mauled by a Pit Bull when he was 6 months old.


After a few minutes more, we took both dogs inside where Crockett decided that Perseus' food was much tastier than his own - and promptly ate all of it while Perseus stood next to him, whining. The whole time we were there, Crockett was the king - eating Perseus' food, drinking his water, sleeping in his bed and, most disturbing to Perseus, chewing on The Monkey. I am quite impressed with how both dogs acted. They were tolerant of each other and there was only one incident when Perseus bit Crockett's wounded ear.

Having a puppy isn't as hard as I thought it would be, even though he is more energetic than anyone in the house.

And he still wants to eat the cat.

~ Mara

~ Little Things ~

Sometimes it's the little things that count. For instance, a drab pull string on a fan can be changed to something quite unique . . .

I love details - Any small change that can make a big difference. I was admiring our ceiling fan, with it's wooden blades and glass shades, when I noticed the pull strings were torn and dirty. They had obviously been around since the building of the house. We had recently bought a fireplace screen from Tractor Supply which had a country decor star on the front. I knew I had seen Christmas tree ornaments with those same stars on them before, so I suggested to Momma that we buy two of those and new pull strings. She and Dad went shopping and came back with the ornaments; a star and a rooster. Leah braided yarn into very tight ropes and made the pull strings. It took a while but it looked very nice in the end . . .


~ Mara

~ Winter in Wisconsin ~

It isn't the easiest time of year to be sure. It is not yet January and already I am wishing for June! The snow may be pretty, and the house cozy and warm, but I would love to be planting a garden and gathering fresh eggs from our own chickens. Patience is a virtue though, so I shall wait.

Here is something that shows God paints wonderful scenes . . .




~ Mara

~ Snowfall ~

Last night the snow started. It didn't look like much at first, but this morning Cedar Cottage was covered with a fluffy white blanket. I love how the trees look with snow on them . . .



Beautiful . . .



Update on the Christmas present . . .

Crockett is doing very well. He is the sweetest dog I have ever seen; barking and growling at imaginary bad guys outside, then coming inside and cuddling with the baby. He is extremely easy to train - he already asks to go out! I am very happy about this because even if he *is* adorable, I do not enjoy cleaning up his messes in the house.

I have only one complaint: he wants to eat the kitten.



~ Mara

~ Bald Eagles & An Early Christmas Present ~

Today I went out to get wood and noticed an adult Bald Eagle soaring overhead. So, naturally, I went in to get my camera. After taking a few photos an immature Bald Eagle appeared and they began to tussle in the air. Unfortunately they were at such a high altitude I did not get a clear picture of both of them.


Okay, so the eagles were a nice surprise. But what was to come later was an even bigger surprise...

A puppy! "Crockett" is 7 months old and is 3/4 Airedale Terrier and 1/4 Bouvier des Flaunders.

His first bath...



He is the perfect pooch for us. :)



What's the funny part about it? Grandpa, Grandma and Mom showed up carrying Crockett while we were watching Disney's "Davy Crockett." He was named "Crockett" before we even knew we were definitely getting him!

~ Mara

~ Frozen Pipes & Fall Migration ~

This morning I went out to feed and water the animals and found that there was no water coming out of any faucets. "Oh, that's just great." I thought to myself. I then told my parents that the pipes must have frozen overnight. Sure enough, they had. Grandpa, Dad and Mom spent all day long, thawing the pipes, replacing the pressure gauge and pressure switch, and insulating the pump house.

While they were fixing the catastrophe, Dad called me outside to see something. When I went out I heard it before I saw it - Over a hundred cranes in 3 different flocks! Most of them were Sandhill Cranes but I am sure I heard a Whooping Crane amongst them. Unfortunately, a snowy day does not offer good lighting so close-up pictures were out of the question. But I did get a few group pictures.



~ Mara

~ A Summer Trip ~

Nothing to blog about today so I shall blog about a trip our family took earlier this year. Whenever we go out, we say we are going on "an explore".

First we went to Wegner Grotto, a little park created as a hobby by a couple who has since passed away.




Next, we went to a nearby river.


Judah did not want to leave. He is adorable!

~ Mara

~ My Friends - The Cranes ~

Today I saw and photographed the same group of 9 Whooping Cranes from the other day. Due to some dump trucks that use the road constantly, the cranes tend to "dance" their way further into the corn field so that most of my photographs turn out fuzzy. Well, this time I not only got pictures of Whooping Cranes in flight, I got one that is amazing to call my own. The Lord was so good to me today, letting me have the opportunity to photograph my friends again. I thank Him for the gift of photography He gave to me.

~ Mara

~ Autumn Woods ~

Ere, in the northern gale,
The summer tresses of the trees are gone,
The woods of Autumn, all around our vale,
  Have put their glory on.
  The mountains that infold,
In their wide sweep, the colored landscape round,

Seem groups of giant kings, in purple and gold,
  That guard the enchanted ground.
  I roam the woods that crown
The uplands, where the mingled splendors glow,
Where the gay company of trees look down

  On the green fields below.
  My steps are not alone
In these bright walks; the sweet southwest, at play,
Flies, rustling, where the painted leaves are strown
  Along the winding way.
  And far in heaven, the while,

The sun, that sends that gale to wander here,
Pours out on the fair earth his quiet smile --
  The sweetest of the year.
  Where now the solemn shade,
Verdure and gloom where many branches meet;

So grateful, when the noon of summer made
  The valleys sick with heat?
  Let in through all the trees
Come the strange rays; the forest depths are bright;
Their sunny colored foliage, in the breeze,

  Twinkles, like beams of light.
  The rivulet, late unseen,
Where bickering through the shrubs its waters run,
Shines with the image of its golden screen,
  And glimmerings of the sun.
  But 'neath you crimson tree,

Lover to listening maid might breathe his flame,
Nor mark, within its roseate canopy,
  Her blush of maiden shame.
  Oh, Autumn! why so soon
Depart the hues that make thy forests glad,
Thy gentle wind and thy fair sunny noon,

  And leave thee wild and sad!
  Ah! 'twere a lot too blest
Forever in thy colored shades to stray;
Amid the kisses of the soft southwest
  To roam and dream for aye;
  And leave the vain low strife

That makes men mad -- the tug for wealth and power --
The passions and the cares that wither life,
  And waste its little hour.

by
William Cullen Bryant

~ Mara

~ Whooping Cranes ~

Today we were heading to town and spotted 9 Whooping Cranes in a plowed corn field near the highway. I took quite a few pictures of them feeding, then stopped to watch them. They are the most beautiful birds I have ever photographed. After about 15 minutes, they all started flapping their wings, ran across the field as if it were an airstrip, then took to the sky. Seeing them always takes my breath away and reminds me of how wonderful God's Creation really is.

I have now seen 39 Whooping Cranes in the wild. Last year I spotted 2 in a flowage, this year 37 in fields across the county where I live. Living so close to the Necedah Wildlife Refuge has it's advantages!

~ Mara

~ Turkey Hunting ~

Today I was working outside with my parents, cleaning off the deck and organizing things in the barn, when a turkey hen landed in one of our pine trees to roost for the night. Little did she know Grandpa had a turkey permit and had not yet shot a turkey. So Momma called Grandpa and he came down the road, carrying his shotgun. He snuck around the barn to get a good clear shot at the bird while I snuck around the back of the house with my camera so I could get a clear shot of him. Grandpa's first shot hit the head, but the hen instinctively flew out of the tree. Grandpa fired a second shot while the bird was flying and hit the leg. She dropped down through a tall tree and left feathers all the way down. We ran through the briers and claimed our prize. After being skinned and cleaned she weighed almost 12 pounds. It was a good day.

~ Mara