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Within the confines of this blog, you will find bits and pieces of the life and times of myself, my family and friend dear and near., far and wide, few and far between. You will find bits and pieces of my world, tho small to some, but huge to me. You will find everything from 'soup to nuts',; recipes, hobbies,crafts, gardenings,loves of my life, GrandLoves-a-Plenty, and even my pets... Sooo, if you can handle family life, enjoy the tour of my 'Stuffings'.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

The Buffet

As the late fall/early winter hunts end, after the harvesting is done,
there is usually something for the scrap pile,
bones, bits of meat, leftovers.

My hunt then begins as I set up a trail camera
over the buffet that the wildlife of the swamp and air,
soon devour.
We have been watching a kitty, a big kitty called
BOB, Bob the Bobcat.


He's been here day and night and
I suppose will not leave until every last morsel is gone.
I'd rather see him dig and chew the scraps of a selective wildlife hunt than to run down the few deer we have left in the county.
That icy cold full moon, the Wolf Moon was
working hard last night, filling the landscape with shadows,
wolves howling.
There's Bob again, early in the day,
not even moving when I opened the door to take his picture.
It gives me goosebumps, to think the Grandloves have been sliding down the hill just in front of that birdhouse. I know, I know, that cat is a scar-dy-cat around people. He takes off, the second I take one step out that door.
We've had other visitors to the buffet,
like Mr. Crow,
a few pesky Starlings,
the wolf has been through, but no picture at the scraps, just his tracks again.
Last winter we had others fly in.
My favorite to watch throughout the day was our
majestic Bald Eagle.
(apologies to you who have seen these photos of last year.)
If you are squeamish of reality, you may wish to close your eyes for the next couple of photos.

The respect for hierarchy is apparent as the Crow waits for his turn after the great Bald Eagle.

The survival of the fittest is evident in these last three images.
The Bald Eagle is first to feast.
The coyote that would sneak a snack in the middle of the night just disappeared from the page, much like they do in real life.

The crows fight for the best snippet of meat off the few pieces left on the rib and neck bones. Such is as it goes for the strongest of the flock.
But the Bald Eagle and her young return for one last meal.
All is right with the balancing of nature.
One feeds another.
We feast off the deer,
as do the
varmints of the woods, the bobcat, the wolf, the coyote,
the Bald Eagles, the Crows, Starlings and other small birds,
even the mice, moles, shrews and insects, all get their share.
So, get in line.
Thus it goes at Mother Natures buffet.
God sure has great plans to feed his flock.,
One way or another.

BlessYourHeart

19 comments:

Jill said...

Oh gosh, Dar! These photos are fantastic! What a wonderful part of the world you live in!

The bobcat is beautiful but I would be timid too.

I just envy you...being able to see eagles like that up close and personal.

~mel said...

Nothing goes to waste here either. We too put out the bones and carcasses for the animals to feast on. We are blessed to be able to see mother nature so up close and personal :) I wouldn't want it any other way. Great trail cam shots!!

Fred Alton said...

Wonderful, Dar! This post makes me want to save back a few dollars and buy a good trail cam. Loved all the photos, of course, but your commentary makes them come to life.

TexWisGirl said...

what a great post, dar!!! love that BOB!!! all of the shots, really!

Cher' Shots said...

Great shots ... and who could ever get tired of seeing the bald eagle pics?!
It was great seeing you over the weekend. Miss you already.
'love & hugs from afar'

jack69 said...

I knew my friend Fred would eat this up. I do too. YOu are a master with the camera and running commentary.

I am sure glad I hooked in with you Cold country folk, you sure present a healthy and tough way of life.

I would be up there right with you, if it wasn't for my Sherry. hahahahahahahahaaha!
It does look like a challenge, but then you guys are up to it.
Love ya Girl!!!!

Dicky Bird said...

Awesome photos! Hey, is your niece Dana? Blessings from Ringle, WI.

imac said...

My Friend, what wonderful shots you captured.

come watch St Ives Fireworks on New Years Eve + Youtube video

Ruta said...

What a great post! I love all the photos you captured...I am very impressed!

Joe said...

I'm jealous ;)!!!!! I've been trying for years to get a bobcat on one of my cameras. Awesome group of pics especially the Bald Eagles.

Shug said...

You do live in a beautiful part of the world...My grandkids would love all the adventure that surrounds you...
that sure looks like a big bob cat....Hope you have something to protect yourself with when you go out..He looks determined!'

Arkansas Patti said...

What an amazing series of wildlife shots. How lucky that you were able to capture them. That Bob cat is beautiful.

Chatty Crone said...

I liked that but aren't you just a little bit scared??? sandie

Osage Bluff Quilter said...

Wow what beautiful pictures. guess I don't remember seeing the eagles last year. If I did I still enjoyed them this time around.
As for my yard, my black lab has drug home the neighbor's deer carcass one pieces at a time. leg, leg, leg, head, rib cage, and last the hid. Somewhere he missed a leg. All my neighbor's are on my facebook page and I was so tempted to thank them for the yard trash!
Blessings

Murr Brewster said...

I don't approve of Outdoor Kitties, but I'll sure make an exception for Bob.

Anonymous said...

A BOBCAT! Holy smokes! Those are terrific pictures of him, too!
Hasn't the moon been positively gorgeous?
And lucky us: we have 2 bald eagles in a nest behind our house, too! I see them almost every day and I always pause to admire their strength and beauty.

Suburban Girl said...

So very jealous of all the wildlife you get to see. Oh how I would love those opportunities...and from your own home yet! THanks for sharing it with all of us!

Nancy said...

That is a lot of wildlife close to your house! I checked your profile to see where you live. Our wildlife is tame by comparison - deer, fisher cats, owls, turkeys.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Love the wildlife that your trail camera captures!