We just got our visit from Santa!! 🎅 The village fire department and rescue squad bring Santa around on Christmas Eve and deliver treats to the children in town.

"Wasn't there snow here yesterday?" I mean, I am guessing that's why this junco is looking confused. #Ohio #Birds

Happy Winter Solstice!

I played hide and seek with this shy red-headed woodpecker for a good 10 minutes. There really wasn't much interest in letting me get a photo. #Ohio #Birds

A stream in the snowy woods. One of my favorite trails. #Ohio

Whatchu lookin' at?

Even though I know it is coming, I am never really ready for that first feeling of single digit temps.

A little frosty early this morning. They say it will be covered in snow tomorrow.

This goldfinch works around the spikes of these sweet gum balls for the tasty seeds inside. #Birds

One of my favorite guide books is "A Guide to Nature in Winter" by Donald W. Stokes. He says, "The distinct and upturned flower buds on a Dogwood in winter are a promise of the delicate, subtle beauty the tree puts out in spring, lining the borders between fields and woods with a fringe of white."

This dark-eyed junco is wondering where the snow went. #Birds

Winter begins harsh and ends mild, according to this caterpillar.

Aurora colors in the sky. Will there be more tonight?

That Sunday feeling. I don't think Louis really wants to be awake.

This honeybee is busy while these asters are still blooming.

Final approach, gear down, coming in for a landing. Ottawa NWR #Birds #Ohio

This beautiful sandhill crane couple gracing the marsh in Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. #Ohio #Birds

I was not dressed warm enough for this morning's sunrise on Lake Erie at Maumee Bay. 🥶 #Ohio

The harvest supermoon made a brief appearance in the broken cloudy skies.

Morning on a calm lake. Turkey Creek Lake in Shawnee State Park. #Ohio

I suspect this may be the last monarch I see for a while. I hope she has a safe trip!

Lola seemed to enjoy all the lovin' she was getting during the John Simon Sorghum Festival.

It is getting late! This monarch caterpillar better be changing soon! #Ohio

This white snakeroot really draws in the pollinators, like this Silvery Checkerspot butterfly. #Ohio

The armor of the honey locust tree. I once heard this referred to the "Nope of the tree world." #Ohio

This common milkweed seed pod has opened, releasing its seeds to the wind. #Ohio

Pretty cool view this morning! The triple conjunction of the very slim crescent moon, Venus and Regulus at about 0640.

Almost missed seeing this Snowberry Clearwing Hummingbird Moth caterpillar. It was hiding quite well. #Ohio

Emerging buckeyes and white snakeroot along the trail. #Ohio

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly visiting a Field Thistle. #Ohio

A calm morning on Lake Hope and just a hint of the autumn colors to come. #Ohio

The pre-sunrise was intense. The great blue heron was indifferent and went on about getting breakfast. #LakeErie #Ohio #KelleysIsland

This is why I try to be out well before the sunrise. #LakeErie #Ohio #KellysIsland

The cold front is moving through. #Ohio #KelleysIsland

Sunflowers as far as the eye can see! #SouthDakota

Deer at last light of the day. #Montana

I thought I had some kind of sparrow out my kitchen windows until I put binoculars on it. Nope, a bobolink! #Montana #Birds

Layers in the sunset #Montana

I am sure the mule deer put those huge ears to good use but they aren't always an advantage in the camouflage department. #Montana

My last night in the Canadian Rockies was at the Moraine Lake Lodge. This room view! Lake Moraine Banff National Park, AB #Canada

Harlequin ducks preening near the lodge at Moraine Lake. Banff National Park, AB #Canada

This is one of the most unbelievably stunning places I have ever seen. This vivid turquoise water and the surrounding Valley of the Ten Peaks. Just incredible! Moraine Lake Banff National Park, AB #Canada

Picturesque Lake Louise in Banff National Park, AB #Canada

Natural Bridge over the Kicking Horse River in Yoho National Park, BC #Canada

What a stunning setting on Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, BC. #Canada

Morant's Curve, along the Bow River near Lake Louise, is a beautiful spot along the parkway. I didn't know about this famous location but judging by the number of people waiting on the train to appear, I was in the minority. Banff National Park, AB #Canada

Takakkaw Falls, the second tallest waterfall in Canada. #Canada

Tanglecreek Falls on the Icefields Parkway, AB. This was a gem, right off the roadway. #Canada

Another resident of Jasper National Park near the town of Jasper. She had a cub trailing her as she went about eating. I somehow managed to not get a photo of the cub. 🤦 #Canada

Fireweed at Sunwapta Falls Jasper National Park, AB #Canada