5! A New Record

For the number of Virginia Opossums in the yard at one time.

Well, I suppose that's just the record for the number we've seen at any one time. I'm sure there are plenty in the yard most days.

There was this one, climbing up the vines.

And then there was on on the triple stump. And one on the squirrel tree feeder platform. And one in the garden path. And one in the back of the garden.

That's five.

And check out that prehensile tail.

But I was only able to get pictures of this one. Although, to be honest, I didn't really try to get the others. It was dark and I had the wrong lens on the camera.

But five oppies at the same time. Pretty cool.

Lunar Halo

Maybe it will rain tomorrow.

New Years Tragedy

  On New Year's Day I looked out the window and saw this ...

... a big brown rectangular spot on this tree. Where the Screech Owl box used to be.

Walking out to take a look confirmed the obvious, the box had fallen.

Look closely and you can see the screws still in the tree. The wood had rotted around the screws.

Each fall we clean out the bird boxen, removing and prepping for spring. And when I had attempted to clean out this one I noticed it was coming away form the tree. We had planned to repair it but it is now too late.

Some critter or critters had been using the box, very likely squirrels. No critters were in it when I emptied it.

A sad end.

Lunchtime Halo

I've noted before the sad tidings that I've rejoined the workforce. It isn't all bad, but I much prefer not working! Alas, as I'm dependently wealthy it is a necessary evil. And as the last post showed, I've a long way to go before I can retire. Very sad.

The building I work in has a cafe, but I've been warned not to frequent this establishment (apparently it is not the cleanest of places). Fortunately, there is another such place in the next building over, a five minute  walk.

And these are the to and from images from my visit to this nicer lunch spot this past Thursday (I had a yummy salad).

This is a 22° halo (degrees of arc not temperature) one of the more common atmospheric phenomena.  My mom told me that her mom told her that such an apparition foretold rain. And it did rain on Friday. So maybe grandma, or whomever told her, knew of what they spoke of.

Or maybe it was a coincidence.

Probably Not

Just sayin'.

🤨  🤔  😬

So I started a new job. And my first check was for only a few days in November.

$1.48 per month? I'm gonna retire now! Woo hoo!

New Year's Morning Bluebird Breakfast

Mainly yummy Winterberry Holly berries.

Ok, I'm just assuming they are yummy, as I've no direct experience.

The birds sure seem to enjoy them.

And I, in turn, enjoy watching them. Although photography can be frustrating; constant motion; lots of blurry images (imagine if this was film!).

Of course, we offer more than just berries.

Drinks too. A full service feeding station.

But berries were the favorite this morning.

New Year's Morning Sunrise

Every morning the routine is the same ... bathroom ... morning meds ... feed cats ... start coffee ... back exercises ... scoop litter ... drink coffee and wake up ...

But some days get interrupted. Today was such a day. As I was starting the coffee I looked out the window and the sky was aglow.

I again used the camera I had with me, as these sights don't last. That camera was my iPhone, which was not optimal for this scene.

But the images were at least blog worthy.

And it was quite nice live.