From My Doorstep

Out On A Limb

I visit this tree on almost every walk. I have to because I have that funny feeling I get when I think I've misidentified something. I trust my intuition.

So okay, I called this a Sugar Maple some time ago. Now I am quite sure it's an American Elm. It's a small one and it's throwing seeds like crazy.

As I gazed into its branches looking for clues, seeing a chipmunk in a tree just didn't register. I am rather pleased to think that within seconds I was shooting relentlessly. No matter that it just didn't make sense, it was still really happening!

My little friend was so intent on its meal that it never even knew I was six feet away. It wasn't until I curved around for another angle, moving about five feet or so, that it finally realized that it had company. By that time, I had about twenty shots so I moved away to let the feast continue.

Signs of Spring

On my lake shoots, there is only one way out and back. I was just about to turn back when I came across two signs of Spring.

Brambles leafing out...























And a bumblebee...Of the genus Bombus, species a head-scratcher at this time. But I couldn't resist throwing that name around... Bombus just sounds so cool.

















Don't worry, it's very much alive. It had been buzzing all around and decided to take a break right in front of me. When I tried to lift him on a twig for a better shot... Bzzzz... He was off again! I promise to have bees in flight. It's just not the same when they're only hanging around, is it?


I try to plan ahead with my posts, setting a few out in advance for insurance. Even so, I still want to add a bit with today's post. A short session on the deck a few moments ago gave me these little ones--a chipmunk collecting nesting materials and a pair of Mallard Ducks paddling though the swamp.

Look Who Woke Up

The chipmunks are no longer in hibernation, as today they spilled out from their stone wall squealing and frolicking. They're definitely morning critters. I put out sunflower seeds for them, and all the while a little one was poking his head out and then ducking back in while squeaking with excitement. I did get a few shots off in between their rapid fire movements.

The Backyard Swamp

My backyard rapidly slopes off into this little piece of swampland. There's an old saying that goes, "You can't have winter until the swamps are full." It's been quite often right, and indeed, this swamp is, and has been, full and is now solid ice. There's a good deal of Red Maple, also fittingly know as Swamp Maple. I have just placed a branch in water, looking for another sprouter like yesterday's Catalpa, which by the way is continuing to blossom.

There is a high frequency of blowdown here. During windstorms in warmer weather, I can hear the crack and fall as they snap off or most often tip over, roots and all.

Today's slipping and sliding through the swamp has left me with a few interesting shots that I will share during the week--more traces of Cottontail, moss in snow, works of the woodpecker, and more...

Today included a chipmunk sighting. I ran for the camera but the little guy high-tailed it across the road. I think it's a bit unusual for chipmunks to be out so soon. They hibernate but do on occasion wake to take some seeds from their underground caches.