Tracks in the Snow

Recently, we have been finding evidence of a critter living in the vicinity of our house.  The second strongest evidence was found on Sunday morning when, as I let the dog out in the morning, I saw very interesting tracks in the fresh snow.  Whatever it is, it is low to the ground, as evidenced by the furrows it plowed with its body.  The tracks went all around our house, through the back yard, to the garage, and off to the neighbors yard.

As I said, these tracks are pretty strong evidence that something is living nearby.  They are not the strongest evidence though.  That is reserved for another sign of the critter.

By the way, the critter is a skunk.  I am sure you can guess what the strongest evidence is.

Thanks for stopping by.  Maybe I will get lucky and will be able to get a picture of Pepe LePew.  If so, I will be sure to share it with you all.  After I deoderize myself, that is.

The Underground Railroad

Here are a few more pictures from Battle Creek, of the Underground Railroad Memorial.  This statue was commissioned to commemorate the Underground Railroad, and Battle Creek’s part in this noble endeavor.

Cereal City

I recently found myself in Battle Creek, Michigan to attend training for work.  For those who may not know this, Battle Creek is known as Cereal City, because not only is it the home of Kellogg, but also Post and Ralston Purina have plants here.  Here are a few shots I took.

I stayed at the very nice McCamly Plaza Hotel.

A nighttime view from my hotel window.

Also seen from my window, the Post cereal plant (the second is a close up so you can read the “Post” sign).

The sign in front of the Kellogg Institute, which is across the street from the hotel.

Near the hotel is a memorial at the site of a former club where Del Shannon performed “Runaway” early in his career.  No, I do not know why it deserves a memorial either.

I found this cool mural on a building nearby.

You will have to take my word for it, but this is the headquarters of Kellogg Co.

A Bird In The Hand…

I took advantage of a clear but cold, post snow-storm morning to take a short trip to the State Park.  A leisurely walk down a wooded trail, and I soon realized that I was not the only one active this morning.  The birds were out in force, and were very happy to pose for me.

I see that people are not the only ones who need to worry about snow buildup on their homes.

One of my favorite birds is the Tufted Titmouse.  A small group of them were quite friendly, and dropped in for a visit.  I am sure that was helped by the bird seed I brought with me.

With the help of my birdseed, I was finally able to confirm that old saying.  Yes, a bird in the hand is in fact, worth two in the bush.

I am sure this Red Bellied Woodpecker was not interested in my birdseed, but he did not mind my presence. 

Neither did this White Breasted Nuthatch.

Here are my friends the Chickadees again.  They followed me back to my car, still looking for handouts.

I do not know who has been handfeeding the birds, but I am grateful that I they were tame enough to allow me to get such wonderful pictures.  Thanks for visiting.  I hope you enjoyed seeing them as much as I enjoyed taking their pictures.

Snowpocolypse 2011

It was on the news for the past 2 day – we are about to be hit by “The Storm Of The Century”.  Grab your loved ones!! Rush to Walmart to stock up on milk and canned beans.  How can we survive?!?!?!  Heaven Help Us!!!!! 

Folks, this is Michigan.  It is snow.  Deal with it. 

Ok, we did get hit by a pretty powerful blizzard last night and into this morning.  It was not the storm of the century.  Maybe not even the storm of the decade, but it probably was the storm of the year.  We got between one and two feet of new snow, and some pretty impressive drifts.  I truly feel sorry of those who live in the country and have to deal with the drifting roads.

Hear are a few shot from my house.  The do not do justice to the drifts, or to the blowing and snowing that was going on.  If nothing else, they should make us all appreciate summer more.

Here is what I found when I went to let the dog out this morning.  Actually, the ground is bare just a couple feet from the drift.  Our little terrier made a wonderful leap and cleared the drift completely.

The backyard.  Our poor van is buried!

Some shots of the front walkways.  It gives a bit of an idea of how deep the snow is.

The dog across the street had the right idea.

What the pictures do not show is the drift that totally engulfed my work car.  It took four of us working for a couple hours to get it out.

Keep warm friends, summer is on the way.