We located our home so that the distance ridge was between us and the rising sun or moon. Their appearance here is delayed by 45 minutes at this time of the year. When we want to see a full moon rising above a more distant horizon, a walk to the road is required. There we can see the emerging moon against dark skies. From the house the full moon appears in skies already fully illuminated by moon light.
Last night featured temperatures in the single digits under clear skies. With those conditions frost forms everywhere. Warming sunlight makes quick work of eliminating these strikingly sharp crystals but while they remain the trees glitter in the sunlight. The distant trees look like they have been rolled in diamond dust. A walk in the frigid air was required to reach some shade. Low in the sky bright sunlight makes pictures impossible if the camera lens is hit by sunlight. So I burned my airways a little to record this wonderful sight.
Recently we saw eight deer cavorting on our lawn. They were here for more than a romp since they are well aware green grass lies hidden just under the new snow. They look right at us but quickly return to feeding. Somehow they know that we pose them no threat despite the fact that they regularly eat my lily buds. Their favorite place to eat is on the slope just to the left of the house. There the sunlight hits with force, thinning the snow cover. The deer seem to be aware when we are watching them. They look right at us but quickly return to feeding. Once darkness falls on a frigid January night, the deer feed on the still green clover and grass. They know we are snuggled inside the house for the night. After sharing this space for two decades we know their habits and they know ours. Watching the wildlife in the garden has added great joy to our life. I can't help wonder if they enjoy watching us.
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