Natural Images by Sally Vennel

Monday, February 17, 2014

EARLY WINTER IN CRESTED BUTTE

Things kind of settled down here after Christmas, I regained my strength (guess the car accident took more out of me than I thought), and the snow began to arrive on a regular basis. One morning I looked out of our kitchen window and saw these strange tracks that I had never noticed before.

We soon discovered the source, when our beautiful blue spruce began to look very ill.

A very hungry porcupine had decided our trees would be a good place to live and eat. Porcupines favorite food is the bark of healthy young pine trees, and as they strip off the bark the tree looses it vascular system allowing it to transfer the nutrients from the roots up to the top of the tree for healthy growth. The result of course is a dead tree, and I expect we will have several come spring, Not wanting to shoot the creature (as many suggested), our son, Scott was finally able to knock him off of the tree into a trash can and transfer him up the mountain to a more remote and fertile location.

However, a couple of days later we discovered this very happy smaller porcupine basking in the sun on our wood pile. A push in the butt with a pole (in an attempt to get her too into a trash can) convinced her that there might be a more pleasant place to live. We have not seen her since.

The following week we made our first trip west to Montrose to find a car to replace the one I wrecked. Passing Blue Mesa Resevoir we noticed a low cloud at the end of the lake.

As we approached that area, we found all of the shrub coated with ice, even though the temperatures seemed above freezing. It was quite a pretty sight.

Returning to Crested Butte with our new Subaru and heading up past Almont, we found the big horned sheep had come from the higher mountains to feed at a lower altitude.

This one horned female was very curious about my presence even though the ram next to her seemed to have no concern.

A few days later we heard a lot of noises in the field across the road, and from our deck I spied several snow-mobilers racing and jumping over bumps on a newly formed course. Little did we realize what lay ahead.

In the meantime it was full moon time, and as it shown through the cloud into our bedroom window it was a beautiful sight.

In the morning, the rising sun lit the trees as the setting moon descended over Snodgrass Mountain on the other side of our home.

And then the "fun" and noise began and the snowmobile races advertised as " Boost the Butte" began. Several days on continuous noise in our quiet mountains made me feel sorry for the wildlife - especially the foxes that we know have dens in the area,

Our road was jammed with trailers and cars of both competitors and supporters for several days. We understand that there will be another competition when the ski area closed. I think we will find an excuse to be away.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

OUR TRIP HOME TO COLORADO (AND WHY I AM LATE)

Winter arrived early in the East this year -and with a bang. We awakened the morning before we left
to the first snow of the season. Here on our island snow is not a common occurrence like it in Colorado.

The entrance to the beach was whiter than usual with snow covering the sand.

It was nice walking back to our home at dusk and seeing lights burning.

Leaving the next morning it was a treat for me to see snow on the pine forests, something I had not

seen since childhood.

We drove through some bad weather going west, Chuck in his truck, and me following in my Tahoe, but we were also treated to some beautiful sunsets. The blue sky in this field was reflected in the snow.

As we left Colorado Springs and drove along the Arkansas River on a beautiful sunny day,

We stopped to admire the thick ice flows that had formed in the water.

I was thinking what an easy ride we were going to have over the Rocky mountain pass this time, but that I was very tired and should call Chuck to tell him I had to stop! And I fell asleep!! I didn't make the turn that the road did, but traveled 300 yards down a hill and along a muddy raving before I side swiped a tree and was thrown into a utility pole on the other side of my car.

Miraculously I wasn't really hurt, and with the help of a nice gentleman who was following me and saw it happen, got out of my car and climbed the hill. When one of the men retrieved my camera from my "totaled car" I took their picture. How could I have better help than this.

My car, as you can see fared much worse than I did, but it protected me from a much worse fate.

It has just been replaced with a different, and smaller vehicle for the future. It will hopefully never have to experience a similar experience. As you can see we are back home in Colorado, and we have SNOW!!

NOVEMBER IN THE EAST - (CATCH-UP)

Early in November we took another delightful break from the routine and traveled down to Cambridge, MD on the Chesapeake to play in another bridge tournament. What a great way to take mini vacations, meet new people, take new photographs and have fun.

On the way we stopped at St. Michael's for lunch, A charming little town that we had visited several times before in Chuck's boat. The parts of the town waterfront on Navy Point sit on a bed of oyster shells up to 10 feet thick in some places. 200 years ago it was a low marshy land and as industries like oyster shucking houses, a sawmill, a cannery and crab picking houses developed they needed more land to expand - so they created it by filling in the marsh and harbor with discarded oyoster shells.

The restaurant "The Crab Claw" has the best selection of Maryland Crab for lunch of anywhere we

have eaten, that day was no exception.

We went on to the Hyatt Regency, a beautiful facility which was brand new the last time we were there years ago by boat.

This little cove off o the river was a protected spot to tie up for the night.

Back home, on Long Beach Island, we continued our beach walks, never sure what we might find, or who we might meet.

The receding tide at times left beautiful patterns in the sand.

The birds were gathering for their journey south to warmer quarters for the winter.

The finishing touches were being put on our beach in the way of dune fence and walkways. We

wonder where they will be next spring after the winter nor'easters that are sure to come.

The last "big event" was the Ship Bottom anual Christmas Parade, we are usually gone by this time. Of course here the theme was about the sea as this "first aid" whale exemplified.

Beside fire engines and emergency wagons from all of the surrounding townships, there were old cars

decorated with shore themes.

Boats being pulled by cars and trucks, and this rescue Jet Ski being towed by an ATV.

The private float took my eye, and the children towed by their Dad enjoyed being part of the parade.

Music was provided by a wide variety of group, including these Scottish bagpiper.

And how else would Santa arrive, except by boat.!!

Monday, January 6, 2014

OCTOBER IN NEW JERSEY - AND BEYOND

BACK IN SURF CITY

We have been back at the New Jersey shore for almost a month, but my camera has been sitting on the sidelines due to blood clots in my left leg and a second cataract surgery. Now I can see whites as a true bright white, not the yellow beige they have been for a while. What a difference!!

And we had a beach visitor just before Labor Day -

This Harbor Seal had come ashore deciding it was timr for some R&R I guess and watch the goings on at the beach.

He seemed well fed, uninjured and totally relaxed, so I approached slowly to snap some shots of him.

He watched me carefully for a while, but seeing no threat, I guess, proceeded to put on a small show,

Which I guess he found exhausting for such a big guy.

Rested, he renewed his antics with greater vigor, to my amusement - a real showman!

As I left he looked very pleased with himself - as he should have been. His audience of one, was!!

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

SUMMER IN CRESTED BUTTE, COLORADO

Unlike my friends whose Blogs I follow, I am always behind these days. Now that we are back in New Jersey I realize that I never posted a thing from our 3 weeks in the Colorado mountains. My excuse, if I need one is that a good bit of my time was taken trying to get our home ready to put on the market. We have gotten to the place in life where downsizing is becoming more than just a wish, it is a necessity. Since I couldn't bring myself to sell our New Jersey home, for many reason hopefully it will be possible to do in Crested Butte.

Coming to our door, I have never seen this bush in full bloom. Can anyone tell me what it is??

One of the first things I have to check when arriving home in Crested Butte is the horses across the street. When not giving rides to patrons they are free to roam and graze on Snodgrass Mountain. It is a beautiful sight in the morning and evening.

This year the wildflowers were exceptionally beautiful, even though we arrived after the end of the Wildflower Festival when they are at their height. This view is looking from our yard towards Mt Emmons and Red Lady Bowl in the background

And the tip of Mt Crested Butte peaking over the old Link Runs - nice intermediate runs in the winter. How I will miss these views.

Looking to the north from our home is the East River Valley with Mt Avery showing over the edge of Snodgrass

A trip into town for garden supplies made me stop by the Slate River for a shot up the Valley in the summer time. This is a favorite of mine in the winter, when we spend most of our time here.

Passing the cemetery on the way back up the hill, I wandered through and snapped

This one of some of the beautiful wild flowers there.

Continuing on, I stopped by this beautiful display of Fireweed, always a favorite of mine,

Looking out our living room window one morning the fog in the valley between us and town looked like a large lake.

And it lay also in the bottom of Gold Link, providing a lovely backdrop for the houses behind us.

But as the sun got warmer we could see clearly the horses as they worked their way back to the corral for the oats always provided at the start of the day.