Twin Fawns

Again not a first, but we were privileged to see twin fawns (still sporting spots) walking through the horse pasture. We didn't see the mother, but I'm guessing she was waiting just a bit ahead and out of sight for us.

A Lifetime First

We went for a family walk today. DH spotted this on the way home when looking for our youngest son (who had run all the way back to the house and was fine).

It's a baby deer. We were so close. DD3 wanted to touch it! (I said no, since it was wild.) I've seen many deer, even fawns. But never, ever so close. And never, ever one so young. I mean, I think I could have touched it. I got close enough for the picture, and I could see it's nose moving. I didn't want to stress it more so we left. But the fawn never moved a muscle. We use the word "awesome" all the time, but this really was an awe-inspiring, awesome sight. Something so small and helpless, yet safe - safe by design, by its nature.

I wonder if it was there as we walked out? I'm sure it was. It was hidden off the main (and less used this year) trail, only thirty feet or so from the neighbor's driveway.

Isn't it amazing how some things can turn the world over?

First Garter Snake

We were walking to the river and I just caught a glimpse of him slithering around one of the huge rocks marking the parking lot. He kept going around the rock, but we were pleasantly surprised when he didn't go under the rock, but along beside it.

So we picked it up. I forgot how strong they are. I'm guessing he was 15-18 inches long, it was hard to tell since he wouldn't straighten out, but he was a decent size for a garter snake. We've seen the snakes a few times in the woods around the river, but never caught one before. Pretty cool! And to think I almost decided not to go for a walk!

First Salamander

Yes - a salamander. How cool! We were moving some boards and he was sitting there, between two of them. He was really cool to the touch, after everyone got to see him we put him under the willow tree (away from the chickens).

And yes, I have pictures. But they are on DH's phone, and didn't make it to my email. So I'll hopefully be able to get them and update this post!

We have the picture!

First Frogs

Of course, sometimes I think it's a first just because we were in the right place and looking. We went on a nature walk for David's 4-H project, and found several swimming in a large puddle on the trail. We didn't see any tadpoles / eggs, sadly. (I'd love to raise some tadpoles.)

The Eagle Returns

I took a walk today with the dogs after the kids were settled in. We walked all around the pond and saw the eagle several times. I kept thinking of Tennyson's poem, which I would post other than I am on my tablet. But it made my heart glad to see the eagle. I've missed him.

posted from Bloggeroid

First Woodpeckers - March 19

We saw not one, but two woodpeckers. They were in a pair of trees just past the horses' fence, one one each tree. On one it was easy to see his bright, red head. The other stayed shaded, but we could hear them both drumming away. I wish they had been lower to the ground so that we could have seen the holes they left.

Two semi-related notes: the chickadees are loving the birdfeeder, and I love the chickadees, so we are both happy. And we are going on vacation, so there won't be any more Montana firsts for awhile.

Muskrat March

So we made it around the pond again this evening. My 3yo daughter is starting to walk a bit faster, which makes it easier to stay close to her and still keep the boys in range. The pond is thawed around most of the edges now.

Sightings & Stuff:

• Four whitetail deer ran about 2/3 of the length of the pond, paused at a little gully then ran out of sight. No one could see what spooked them.
• We managed to break through the ice next to the dock by throwing rocks. I managed to skip a rock ... across the ice.
• We found some tracks in yesterday's snow (which has mostly melted, thankfully). Deer tracks, and another spot seemed like a squirrel track, but it was hard to tell as we only found 1 1/2 tracks.
• A 'mini-river' had formed in one sandy area, with nice, soft sand. Jonathan noted the sand was wet enough it flowed as well.
• An ice-ledge around part of the pond - about three feet out, white and thick. (Contrasted with the thin, clear ice over the water at the edge of the ledge.
• A dead muskrat. First time I've seen one up close, and first one the kids have really seen at all. (I think the older boys have seen them swimming at a distance.) It had a rat like tail, rodent teeth, and fluffy brown fur, with the middle being a lighter shade. I don't know how it died, but it had my German Shepard buffaloed. He kept smelling the area, then backing up.

So no real "firsts", but a nice walk. We might have to read a bit about muskrats from the Handbook of Nature Study.

Walk on March 1, 2013

This continues to be a very warm winter. The pond is breaking up, Jonathan counted over 20 cracks. We will watch to see how the cracks develop. The Southern arm of the pond is completely melted, and we saw 5 ducks. The first group of three took off before we got close (I think they were mallards), the last two stayed until the boys walked onto the docks. I'm not sure what that pair was - not quite mallards but not quite wood ducks. I wish I had brought the camera. We also saw a single goose flying South/Southwest.

We did have our loupes, so we checked out cattails, grass, snow, a felled aspen (with bark), some stripped bark, a felled tree without bark (very interesting holes and patterns) and some ice. We came home and looked up possible causes of the holes in the trees (oval, about 1/2" long). It seems insects are the closest match.

Firsts:

• Ducks on the pond.
• Pond partially thawed (about 10-15% is thawed) -- we will watch to see when it is completely thawed and record that.

Open Eyes (& Ears)

No firsts to report, but I wanted to note some changes -- in myself. I've been hearing & seeing the chickadees more lately. And I pause to check on our little caterpillar in his cocoon in his little jar. I've been outside more - we all have. I spend more time watching my ponies, the chickens, and the trees.

I've no doubt the warm spell helped, but there is more. I'm reading "The Burgess Bird Book" with my 6yo, "Pagoo" with my 8yo & 10yo, "The Storybook of Science" (where was this book when I was a child?) with my 10yo, and "Wilderness Predators of the Rockies" with ... myself. And I'm trying to keep up with the "Handbook of Nature Study" group on the AO Forums. I really think all this reading is sharpening my senses, or perhaps just my focus. So I'm seeing, hearing & feeling more. And I like it.

(Please note: I'm not tasting more. Unlike my kids. Who seem to be infatuated with tasting snow. Weird.)

Well some actual firsts!

We've actually found the first icicle of the season (which my 6yo proudly placed - all melty - on my refinished hardwood desk). We also had our first rain of the calendar year. I wasn't sure on recording the rain, but I though we just as well -- it might help signify what type of winter we have has, since you could also say it's the first rain this winter, as opposed to snow. Sadly I'm not sure what our first snow was, but I could probably find it on facebook, since I'm sure I complained about it...

I recorded them under January Firsts and reformatted the pages to have more space between dates.

Some links from members of the Ambleside Online forums:

• Redeemer's Charlotte Mason files -- search for "nature note book"
• Journey North -- has a 'report your sightings' feature
• Nature Calendar -- the 19 seasons!

Charlotte Mason's Book of Firsts

In the book Home Education, Charlotte has some wonderful advice for nature study:

Calendars.––It is a capital plan for the children to keep a calendar––the first oak-leaf, the first tadpole, the first cowslip, the first catkin, the first ripe blackberries, where seen, and when. The next year they will know when and where to look out for their favourites, and will, every year, be in a condition to add new observations. Think of the zest and interest, the object, which such a practice will give to daily walks and little excursions. There is hardly a day when some friend may not be expected to hold a first 'At Home.'

Read more here (scroll down to page 54).

This is our humble attempt at a modern book of firsts - one that won't get wet, torn, or lost!