Rural Ramblings with Ruta: October 2011

October 30, 2011

Early snowstorm...

We only got about 3 inches of snow and no power outages...but my friend in southern NH (Mont Vernon) got 22 inches! Power is out everywhere in the south and trees are down.

I grabbed some coffee and went out this morning to take some pictures...even tested the hill for sledding...

October 29, 2011

Winter is on the way...

It was 27 degrees when I went out (not all that early) this morning.
The smell of snow was in the air.

The news is on now and they are going on and on about the historic snowfall headed our way tomorrow. They will be seeing up to a foot of snow in parts of the state.

Good thing we got out today to take a walk in the woods...

Moose tracks

Beaver Dam

Crawford Notch

Water icing over

October 27, 2011

Hello Winter?

We are getting some snow tonight and they are saying 3-4 inches. Today there was a light dusting. I think autumn is giving way to winter up here in the north country...

October 24, 2011

For Barn Charm

It took me a while to find this round barn in Irasburg,Vermont...

There is also a farm in Irasburg with imported Elk. This one seemed to be on the wrong side of the fence and was running straight at me until he suddenly turned and ran back in the other direction.

Vermont has some great farms...here is a big dairy operation...

As you can see, the trees are getting bare...forecast for snow on Thursday!

http://bluffareadaily.blogspot.com/2011/10/barn-charm-56.html

October 23, 2011

Pumpkinfest: puppies, pirates, & pumpkins

What a great time we had yesterday...and we managed to make it to pumpkinfest! I took so many pictures...too many to upload...but they can be viewed here...(best viewed on slideshow) :)

http://ruta.smugmug.com/Photography/Pumpkinfest-puppies-pirates/19687838_zHmT9K#1544766956_3qGPxFB

Puppies....

Pirates...

...and Pumpkins...

October 22, 2011

Good Morning Miss Moose...

I got up early to go moose watching, grabbed some coffee and my cameras, and was out the door. I didn't know there was rain in the forecast. I didn't see any moose where the two bulls had been yesterday. Before heading home, I thought I would drive a little further to where Tom and Robin saw the young cow moose...sure enough, she was there.

She let me sit with her for twenty minutes or more while she ate her breakfast.

When she had enough of me and my camera, she blended into the environment and I knew that was my cue to leave.

I hope she stays safe...hanging out so close to the road and all...

http://camera-critters.blogspot.com/

More Moose in North Country NH

My friend, Robin, called me last night and mentioned that she saw two moose - on young bull and one young cow. I went out after work this evening to see if I might spot a moose. The rut is over and bulls have lost about 25% of their weight.

I think this is the same bull my friends saw. He has been hanging out in this area for a couple of days.

This is a healthy looking bull but as you can tell from his antlers, he is still pretty young.

It was getting later (and darker) when I saw this bull. It looks like he saw some sparring action during the rut. One of his antlers was broken.

I asked him..."Is that your final antler"?

http://camera-critters.blogspot.com/

October 18, 2011

ABC Wednesday - N

I am a nature lover...so I had to look for some nature photos that begin with "N"...

To start, we had two consecutive Robin's nests on our back porch this spring...