The Blue Moon on Halloween here on October 31, 2020
(photograph - ©Bruce A. Morrison)
If
memory serves me, the past couple years lacked some of my favorite days
of the season...Indian Summer. This year has tried making up for it
and hasn't done too bad of a job. Although we've had 3 snowfalls this
season already, they've been fairly light and melted in short
order...just the past several days have been in the 60's and 50's and
quite pleasant for late November!
Really
I haven't relished this Fall too much, I won't get into it, just say
I'd as soon forget it...in fact most of us would just as soon forget the
entire year! Its been tough on some folks more so than others.
I
will admit I have been having a good deal of trouble motivating myself,
like many, many have I'm sure. But I have had a few bright spots
appear here and there this year...so thankful for Georgie and the kids,
and good friends who think of me and lift my spirits. I know I am
blessed and am grateful.
Studio
work has been slow, but I keep on plodding away with small jobs and
also work on the acreage...the chain saw has been busy off and on, a
little seed collection from the pastures and some patching of the barn
and crib roofs have also kept us busy. Drawing, printing and some
framing occupying each day now, tis the season😊.
Recently
some friends called and let me know they had some River Otters out by
their place and welcomed me to come out and try and get some photos. I
went early last Tuesday morning and found them, as if they were waiting
for me! Its been some time since I've seen Otters...they've been in the
pasture out in front of us, along the creek...have seen them in the
Little Sioux River a number of times, and even up north years ago.
When
I approached the water, I was hearing the familiar sound of the ice
"pinging" and breaching...a noise I remember from times when something
large was swimming close to the underside of newly formed thin ice. And
there they were! First one, then another...
(photographs - ©Bruce A. Morrison) At
first they watched me with curiosity from a distance, eventually
popping up through the thin ice by butting it from underneath with their
heads...eventually right in front of me - then crawling out on a small
log to get a better look...what fun!
Mink walking on the ice through the rushes.
(photograph - ©Bruce A. Morrison)
I
got an extra bonus while waiting for more photo ops - a Mink was
walking around on the ice and one of the Otters would pop up through the
thin ice around it and the startled Mink would jump up into the air -
so funny to see! This went on for maybe 10 minutes but kept taking
place behind a bunch of rushes out of view of the camera...was like they
were playing a game!
The
trip to photograph Otter really made my week...between critters and
great weather, its been fun. A lot to be thankful for out there - even
in rough times.
Be good to one another - Happy Thanksgiving - see you on the Tallgrass!!!
