Friday, March 27, 2009

Visitors!

Across the road from a dilapidated old shack (that I like to call home) is a great big beautiful meadow called the Swaner Preserve.





1200 acres of protected open space where birds and beasts come and go all year long.



My early morning ritual involves a steaming cup of very, very strong cowboy coffee.


One of those ultra-warm, cuddly, comfy, fleece robes (bright red, way ugly!)



And, some seriously tacky bunny slippers.

Because even in winter (it was 8 degrees this morning) I have my coffee out on the deck that faces the meadow.

I never know who or what will be hanging out in that meadow. Maybe a fox. Perhaps an eagle. But, a herd of Elk?? In the 5 years I have lived here I've never seen a site like this before!

8 comments:

KC said...

Oh wow!!! What a sight and great photos to boot. You had a Friday adventure after all:D Sorry I missed it.

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Isn't that amazing? I couldn't believe it when I poked my head out there this morning!

vuejardin said...

Amazing photos, thanks for sharing it.

vuejardin
http://vuejardin.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Ken thinks they're the herd that lives up on Round Valley. We were watching them at sunset last night. Nice pics. - Chris

Wunx~ said...

Wow! That is totally cool!

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

They're still here! I have so loved seeing them out there over the weekend!

Wunx -- you know this stuff -- are they all boys? I thought only boys grew those horns.

KC said...

My brother tells me they are all Bull Elk. They have their way with the females in September then really don't have much to do with them until the urge hits again the same time the next year. No such thing as shared parenting in the Elk world it appears. As a bonus he informed me that deer are the same way except they get together in November.....their gestation period is shorter so both have their babies the same time in the spring.

Anonymous said...

Savor every glimpse you get Kate! Aren't they marvelous? We get them alot at our house--especially during the hunting season. LOL

When you get to see sights like this, doesn't it make you wonder what the poor city slickers are doing?

You're living rich and it didn't cost you a dime :)