Nature, Nature, Everywhere!

We have had the supreme privilege of relocating back to our 10 acre property a couple of hours from where we were living for the past 10 months and to say the least, the dear children are elated to be back in their own digs, literally!!  We have a 12 x 12 foot sandbox, a large playset area and enough wildlife and nature study to last a couple of lifetimes for us all!!

I am so appreciative as I have my brand new home back with all it's amenities and comfort, I am spoiled beyond belief to put it lightly.

So here's a tribute to our relocation and the graces that have already come to ou family because of it and hopefully it will qualify for Dawn's ALWAYS lovely Nature Field Days!!

"Need any excavating anyone??"

The Pink Birdhouse is one that a pair of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) have returned to year after year.  I've seen them once since we've returned but so far no nesting yet???  The "White House" as we so affectionately call it, has yet to be occupied, but we're hopeful...

This is our resident Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis).  She has been here since before we built the house in 2003.  We've seen her raise two broods of two fledglings each while we lived here.  I snapped this shot of her outside the kitchen window in the Pine Tree just about 30 feet from the house.  She was seeking refuge from an angry American Kestrel (Falco sparverius).  We have enjoyed MANY hours of bird watching and this beautiful Hawk is always a highlight for us, we look forward to so many more!

This is our Black Lab puppy "Sadie". She's exactly 2 years old just a 2 weeks older than Sean-Paul!  Sadie is overjoyed to be back on her territory as well, and it's been a hundred-thousand new smells for her ever since!!  This pond is on an easment just northwest of our property and is used for a fire pond if ever need be.  It's surrounded by Cattails and we'll be checking out the large quantity of Algae that's quite prevalent already!!  (Hmm, wonder how the water bottle got there, surely she's not fetching that??)

Our yard play area also doubles as a baseball field as well as a golf course! Notice the roof of the playhouse in the background is on the grass, that's due to the regular winds we get through here, it's just like the prairie!! 

A Tiger Woods prodidgy...

View to the North of us.  The weather holds like this just about everyday of the year, when it's not SNOWING!  The far snow-capped mountain you see is a ski resort...

Swinging Central!!  Happy boy!

Rollerblading Raceway...Fast Girl!!

We are blessed with a variety of WEEDS and many WILDFLOWERS!  Here is one that wintered over and is ready to disperse it's seed pods that are very full!

Some feeders waiting to be filled.  The Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoneniceus) are very abundant here and actually returned before the Robins!  Along the far side of our property is another pond and water ditch with lots of long grasses and more cattails for them to nest in.  We LOVE to listen to their Song!

Joining the blackbirds, other birds we have seen regulary are:

• Western Meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta)
• American Kestrels (Falco sparverius)
• American Robins (Turdus migratorius)
• House Finches (Carpodacus mixicanus)
• American Goldfinches (Carduelis tristis)
• Western Tanagers (Piranga ludoviciana)
• Killdeers (Charadrius vociferus)
• Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater)

I know there are more that I am missing, but that's a few for starters!  Whew, I could go on here forever, as we have so much going on out our windows, it's very hard to stay inside some days to do table work!!  I imagine we will be taking our learning out of doors for the remainder of Spring and Summer, weather permitting!!

On a last note, we also have a resident Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)That has been here through every year we've lived here.  Matthias spotted him just the other night right outside my bedroom window.  He was checking out the new Robin's nest in some low Pine Tree branches, I hope he didn't get anything, but he's very crafty!!  He's beautiful with the snow white tipped tail and just the color of golden flax (same as our field right now)! 

Oh and then there's the herd of 18 Antelope (Antilocapra americana) that live just across the way...OK I'll stop now!! I'll save them for another post!!

I hope you've enjoyed your tour of our Little Oasis of nature and God's living beauty.  We are so blessed to have it and be able to experience it as a family!!

Thanks for stopping by and please visit my ongoing nature journal at Nature's Sweetness for more nature study and happenings around field and meadow and mountain...Blessings!!

Comments

[Jennifer]

You do look so happy to be back! Antelope and Red Foxes - Wow! What neat critters to have in your yard.

[Ruth]

Wow! This looks like paradise! What a blessing.

[lisa]

Hi Meredith,

So glad you are happily settling and the nature that surrounds your place is really something! Wow!! Also really glad you are back to blogging again.

Lisa

[MaryM]

So beautiful around your home - truly God's country! Here's hoping we can visit sometime.

[Marjorie]

What gorgeous property, Meredith. As hard as a move is, that view is priceless! Your mention of cattails reminded me of one time when my mother and a friend decided to cook cattail buds! It was really quite good - like corn on the cob. Maybe you can try it:-)

[Dana]

What a beautiful land! We just came back from my dd's first trip to CO. I love the mountains, but we don't live anywhere near them. Thanks for sharing all of your photos and thoughts!

[Alice Gunther]

How fabulous! I am so glad you are all so happily settled.

[ShawnaB]

Meredith, what a fabulous spot! It looks like you guys are WAY out there...reminds me of the Little House! How far do you have to drive for a loaf of bread? (Oh ya, you MAKE your bread!)

We too have so been enjoying being outside, especially since my littlest two can manuever without being carried or put in a stroller.And they pretty much have stopped eating dirt...how about your little guy?

[Kim]

Congrats on being home again Meredith! You all look as if you are taking a wonderfully deep breathe and becoming reacquainted with your home. : )