“May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth!”
Psalm 115:15 ESV
To get a more unobstructed view of this sunrise from one of my favorite spots would’ve required a long walk and climbing over a fence on a very cold Thursday morning. My knee and the lady in charge of my knee both indicated that I would have to make other arrangements. I think it turned out ok. The tree line brought its own interesting winter beauty to the scene. And I stayed close, remained on level ground, and avoided trouble!
Maybe it is just me, but first light over on Lookout Mountain last week gave me thoughts of “purple mountain majesties”. I know Katherine Lee Bates’ line in “America The Beautiful” was inspired by her visit to Pikes Peak, and this ain’t Pikes Peak. But maybe she would’ve felt the same way here? Or, possibly the line would’ve been some color other than “purple”?
Week before when the buzzards dropped by, I wasn’t all that excited as they seemed to be looking me over. But this visitor flying directly over the Sunshine Cottage and looking straight down at me was quite alright. Eagles here are nesting now and should have eggs that hatch in March. At least that is what we have observed through the years as we’ve been blessed to monitor their activity near our home. The first nesting pair we discovered was in late 2011, early 2012, less than 1/2 mile from the tree line in today’s sunrise photo!
I never understood that song about riding through the desert on a horse with no name. But I do fully understand what an awesome experience it is to ride through Montana’s Rocky Mountains on a horse named Hoss. From this coming week, travel back with us three years to Triple Creek Ranch!
Since snow has been (and continues to be) big news, I thought it would be fine to stick with the white stuff just a bit in today’s post. We enjoyed this snow in 2023, at a Montana hideaway with our cozy cabin only a short walk from the lodge where the finest of food was served. However, some of our readers, especially in the Carolina’s, may not be so thrilled with this weekend’s weather.
If you can make an outing fun during this kind of winter weather, then it helps tremendously when attempting to endure the cold. Pam did well guiding her dog team. They liked her from the beginning. I had to ride on the back somewhat exposed to the elements, but at least I had the opportunity for photos like this one. I guess a good motto would be “make freezing fun”!
Friday evening’s waxing gibbous moon was a welcome sight after we reached a brief 50 degrees in the afternoon. But a major drop in temperature was only a few hours away and we were hearing we had a potential for a little snow…nothing like the predictions to our east! The official full moon arrives tonight so I couldn’t wait for it, but this is fitting because this full moon is known as the “full snow moon” or “storm moon”. The name is in reference to the weather conditions that are typical for this time of year. Living up to the name I’d say! After all..it is February first!!!
Speaking of those living east of us…I would name this “On Roxanne Pond”. This literally doesn’t look real, but it is not only real, but current, yesterday in SC to be exact. We had sleds ready for the kids, but snow evaded us once again here in NE Alabama. Pam received so many great photos and I just had to use one. Thank you Roxanne.
She’s been a daily visitor for over a month. Cardinals and others were very active last week, but especially yesterday, taking advantage of an ample food supply on a very windy bitter day.
I don’t know if he just had a serious look because of the sunflower seed he is working on, or if maybe he was watching his girl who was only a couple of feet away. Cardinals mate for life and often return to the same nesting grounds. These two are definitely “love birds” that always show up together and have been since back in December. I’d say they are wishing March would hurry up and arrive!
A pair of northern flickers have been hanging close for a couple of weeks now. This one had it’s feet on the edge and tail on the ice…maybe contemplating what to do next. The markings and colors really show up well at this angle.
A decision was made to use that bill to break the ice. It didn’t work out and the effort was soon abandoned. Just because you are known as a woodpecker doesn’t mean you can peck through solid ice!
I dumped a gallon of hot water into the bird bath after the flicker departed, thinking many would notice and come before it froze again. None came right away. This bluebird almost waited too late, but seemed to be drinking!
I told Pam I had decided this post was for the birds. Mourning doves also mate for life. Like the other bird couples we have been observing, we have 2 pair (or is it “pairs”?) of doves visiting daily. They are seed eaters and ground feeders so are right at home with the others. This one displayed a nice brown/cinnamon color, maybe partly because the sun peeped out briefly.
Grey tones are more evident on this “turtledove”, and what about those red feet! Doves have pointed wings like falcons, and are about the size of a kestrel, a common small falcon. Those pointed wings help doves fly fast and they can reach speeds above 50 mph!
My truck keys have been returned to me! If you can’t walk to get a view of a sunset, then why not drive to a place along the road, pull over, and enjoy it from the comfort of a bucket seat!!
Have a blessed week!
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 ESV
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Rabbit, rabbit, and good February morning, Butch and Pam! So good to read you can drive again!
Be glad you didn’t get snow/ice. We dodged this bullet of a storm, but are still dealing with thick ice and snow from.last week. Too frigid to melt. My sister slipped and fell on her replaced knee on ice Friday. 😩 She’s all black and blue, but we’re praying she and her knee are ok.
Love the birds this week. the mourning dove must be wearing Loubitons with those red feet. 😉
Thank you Rita. Hope your sister has no additional problems from her fall and heals quickly. We’ve escaped the worst of the weather both weekends. Ice is the worst. Hope you get relief from that this week. Have a safe week and thaw!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful photos as usual. We’ve had lots of bird visitors to our feeders over the last few weeks. The gold finches arrived a couple of weeks ago along with large flocks of red winged blackbirds. They empty the feeders quickly and all the seeds spread on the ground are gobbled up. I have a bird bath heater that has came in handy this week. Glad you’re now able to drive again and give nurse Pam a break! Wishing you both a blessed week.
Thank you Rachel. A bird bath heater sounds like a good idea. I just came in from removing the ice and putting in fresh warm water in ours. Sun and slightly above freezing this afternoon here so that helps. No finches around here just yet. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Good morning Butch and Pam, I think I’m over winter and pretty sure my birds are too. We have gone through 60 pounds of seed between the ice storm and the snowstorm! But we woke up to brilliant sunshine, the pond frozen over, and 7 (seven) degrees. Thank you for sharing my picture, it is real and untouched! God bless the workers at Blue Ridge Electric, we never lost power. Butch, I know you are so happy to get your car keys back, you are making great progress!
Thank you Roxanne and thanks again for the great photos. You’ve had more than your share of ice and snow this winter. Sunshine here too and doesn’t that help everything! I am glad to have my keys although Pam is probably more grateful. Still so many places I like to get to require a lot of walking but it’s coming along. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Do I detect a Husky in one of the pictures? Mine glides over the snow and ice here like one of Santa’s reindeer and is presently basking in the minus degree temperatures.
Thank you Analiese. A husky yes. So many amazing of God’s creation that are right at home in such conditions. We hope you warm up some and have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Good Morning. Happy Sunday. All your pictures are beautiful as always. The winter scene caught over the lake is so beautiful. Looks like a beautiful Christmas card scene. I have been feeding the birds, squirrels and opossums this winter. It is hard for them in the harsh weather to find food. I have a set of 6 mourning doves that come to feed off the patio seeds and one lone dove that must has lost her mate. The others don’t seem to mind her being in with them to feed. Have a great start to the new week. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. I read that it is estimated that there are over 100 million mourning doves across North America. I was fascinated to see such a large number. We know how it goes…when you attempt to feed one species you end up feeding the entire wild neighborhood. Roxanne’s photo would make a great Christmas card. Have a tremendous week!
Butch and Pam
Smart choice not to tangle with She Who Is In Charge right now, LOL!! We have a cardinal pair as well, both eagerly taking advantage of the sunflower seeds in the feeder. We have about 6 inches of snow on the ground, the driveway cannot be seen, and we expect to be housebound for at least two more days. But, we love having the snow! It’s been three years since the last one, and having an entire winter with no snow is just too strange.
Thank you Carole. Watching the weather maps made us think you likely had a lot of snow. Sounds like you are set to enjoy it and snow is so much different than ice. Just dry and cold for us. We wouldn’t mind a snow for the kids to enjoy. Didn’t realize you had gone a while without a good snow. Enjoy your week and the snow while it lasts!
Butch and Pam
You didn’t get snow and that might be good since you are venturing outside of the house. I received pictures from family and friends and they have lots of the white stuff. Comparison.My best friend was hoping for a foot of snow and I’m glad she only received 4 inches but my daughter that lives closer to the coast got more and the wind has been blowing up a blizzard.
God made msn and som birds to mate for life, it’s a beautiful picture. Your bird pictures show very healthy looking birds and you are feeding them? Key keeping is a tough job, I know because I had to take my husbands keys. He never got over it and I didn’t either. Boy oh boy I wouldn’t want to do that again. Your sunset picture is a beauty. May your knee continue to heal quickly.
Thank you Alice. We wouldn’t mind a little snow for the grands to enjoy but it doesn’t take much for everything around here to shut down. And we can do without a blizzard for certain. Dealing with my dad when the time came about his keys was quite a challenge and heartbreaking too. Pam’s dad on the other hand knew when it was time and gladly put driving aside which was a blessing for everyone. I’m sure if it comes to that for me I will be the worst person ever to deal with. Hope you stay warm and have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Happy February! We’ve not been away from our house in 9 days. We still have 3 inches of mostly sleet covering the neighborhood roads and the ground. We’re hoping it’s gone by Tuesday. I do feel sorry for so many in North Mississippi and middle Tennessee who still don’t have electricity, have damaged homes and have lost so many beautiful trees. We haven’t had any nights above freezing and very few days so we know they are suffering. My friend in Carolina said it was fluffy snow so the kids should have fun in it. I’m enjoying seeing your birds. We’ve been feeding ours too. I must agree that the mountain shot reminded me of purple mountain majesty. I’m praying for warmer weather! Take care and don’t push that knee too kuch. Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. We knew yours was ice and that’s so much worse than snow. Those that have only snow seem to fare better and for sure the kids have a good time. I keep sleds in the garage for the kids in case it ever snows so I did get those out since we had a slight chance. But so far we haven’t needed a sled. We are personally ready for April but don’t want to rush things, it comes on us quick enough. Have a safe week!
Butch and Pam
I think that dog sled is about the only way I would ever over being out in the winter! I love that photo and what fun it must have been to get it.
Thank you Jeanie. The dog sledding was was cold but fun. A very memorable experience for us. I think the worst part for me was numb toes. My feet were freezing. We hope you don’t freeze but have a warm and safe week!
Butch and Pam
Yes, to the keys being returned and ready for the next chapter! Love your trip to Montana, I’m sure it was grand to trade sweet tea for hot cocoa in the Big Sky!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Mary. I think we are both glad I’m able to use my keys again. And hot cocoa in Big Sky country is something I would love to be doing right now. Maybe again one of these days. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Butch, we don’t have snow but did have 39 degree temp this morning on the way to church. I was a bit shocked to hear the weatherman last night predict possible snow flurries in SW Florida over night but they didn’t materialize. I admit I was kinda glad as I did not necessarily want to remember those Midwest snow storms…. which by the way, my daughter reported the day’s temp in Kansas was a heat wave as the temp was 5 degrees after a -6 overnight. LOL
Love the photos and glad you were able to get your keys returned. Stay warm and blessings to you and Pam.
Thank you Kari. We made it to 35 this afternoon so we are quite happy that we don’t have those Kansas temps. Our old farm, my great grandparents place, in NW Florida had a little snow on the ground week before when the panhandle got snow. It’s definitely strange to see it there. Starting your day out at 39 is not something you have to do very often. Yes, I have keys and permission to use them. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Happy February! I enjoyed all the birds! The cardinals are always so pretty. But how about that bluebird? I am happy you gave the birdbath hot water to melt the ice for her. That dog sled was so cool! I am surrounded by one foot or more of snow here in Pennsylvania. (Yes, we are at our Pennsylvania home in -6° temps.) I would love to have that dog sled right now!
Glad to hear you are driving again, Butch! Congratulations!
Stay warm, my friends!
Thank you Nancy. What timing to be back in PA. We should be back to 60 by Tuesday so we’ll be remembering you. It is February though and officially mid-winter I suppose. Our worst ever snowstorm here was over 30 years ago and it was in March, almost mid-March. I put out more good water today and it didn’t take long for the bluebirds and others to show up. Word got around. Have a wonderful week in the snow!
Butch and Pam
A beautiful post Butch & Pam. I loved seeing the snow scenes, such a winter wonderland!
Blessings to you both, Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer. We hope your summer is going well. We are a little weary with the cold and ready to think about gardening and flowers. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Wow Butch, you’re a free man with those car keys! Thanks for all the beautiful nature photos and your past trip to Montana. I had a little woodpecker visit one of my feeders this afternoon, which was exciting. Our weather is finally warming up, although I still see patches of icy snow. Have a happy week!
Thank you Kitty. We crept above freezing today and it looks like a little warm up this week. Yes the keys have allowed me to give the chauffeur some well deserved time off. It is nice to visit and play in the snow and then return home and leave it behind. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Greetings from very frigid Indiana! We love your photos and, and seem to have made a career of feeding birds. With 8 inches of snow here, the cardinals are beautiful as they form loose flocks in winter…our record is 24 so far this season feeding at one time! Your posts are such a joy!
Thank you Betsy. A cardinal on the snow is one beautiful picture but 24…wow. We never see that many at one time. Many other birds in large numbers of course. We had a sunny day and 55 degrees today. Warm up and have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
These birds are gorgeous! And very friendly, to sit still for their photos.
Amalia
xo
Thank you Amalia. I think the birds have seen me enough until they know who puts out feed daily. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I love love the bird photos and how nice to see them. The cardinals are gorgeous but the others are pretty too. It is rare for us to see cardinals here. I’m sorry for your cold weather but happy that you didn’t get any significant snow or ice. I’m a bit of a weather geek and looking at the maps the polar vortex has slipped all the way down to Florida. Yikes. It completely bypassed us here in the west and our temps have been well above average and for that I am thankful. Happy to hear that your car keys have been returned Butch and you can get out and about a bit more. Wishes for continued healing of the knee and stay warm and cozy down there!
Thank you Kim. Yes the folks in Florida had some very cold weather to deal with, very rare for them. The snow and ice missed us and today was sunny and pleasant. Glad you are experiencing some above average temps. The knee is slowly improving and I’m trying to follow the care giver’s instructions, or maybe that’s “orders”. Wishing you a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Wow! these photos of Montana are simply stunning. It must be amazing to ride through the snow like that. I used to love to ride but I also do not have the knees of someone who should be on a horse anymore.Visiting from the weekly blog hop, how a lovely week.
-Amber
-The Hungry Mountaineer
Thank you, Amber and so glad you stopped by!
The photos of the birds in this post are just stunning! I am so amazed at the colors of birds and all the details. Our God takes note of the smallest, most minute parts of His creation. If He takes that much care of a tiny bird, think how much more He cares for us, who are worth more than many sparrows. Praise His holy name!
Thank you Cheryl. He is a God of detail. We are currently having robins by the dozens in and out of our yard. It’s very cold today so they may decide they are headed north prematurely. We hope you have a great week!
Butch and Pam