Outdoor Mom – November 2017

Outdoor Mom – November 2017

This has been a true month of transition. November has the feel of a real autumn as the aspens turn yellow and the snow comes in small storms, never sticking around but melting on sunny afternoons.

If you read my entry earlier this month, you know that I’m dedicated to the idea of walking to the river every day regardless of the weather for the whole of November. I’ve tried to faithfully keep to the goal and have only missed a couple of days so far. My walks are sometimes in solitude but often my husband or one of my sons will accompany me to see what there is to see. The sky is really the star of these walks and often the clouds put on a show. I benefit from these walks the minute I put on my shoes and step out the back door. It helps keep things in perspective and I feel far less anxious.

Also, adding to my nature happiness is my participation in some simple citizen science. I can’t tell you how happy I am to be counting birds again as part of Project Feederwatch. I’ve been super eager to get started, printing out my tally sheets and hanging and filling my feeders. I haven’t been disappointed in the number or variety of birds that I have observed. I love that this is a way to feel connected to my habitat and I don’t even need to leave the house to have an encouraging experience.

My favorite images from this month are from a walk we took in Bend, Oregon at Drake Park. It was a dazzling day of sunshine and the trees along the river were ablaze with color. There were lots of geese along the pathway and some mallard ducks too.  I could have taken 1,000 photos and still not captured the glory of the experience. You will have to take my word for it!

We’ve been wondering what animal makes these mounds of earth out in the space behind our house. There doesn’t appear to be any openings but just random groups of dark earth mounded up, sometimes 2 feet in diameter and about a foot high. I’ve researched online and in my Central Oregon field guides but haven’t found a definite answer as to who is creating the mounds. I’m leaning towards a badger but my friend is trying to convince me it’s a marmot. I would appreciate any of your guesses.

In our yard, we’re still cleaning up debris and were able to light our burn piles since the weather has turned and they lifted the burn ban. The photo above shows the amazing sky we have and the variety of clouds in various layers that drift overhead. It doesn’t feel like work when you’re cleaning up under a sky that looks like that. It makes me feel grateful and small and humbled.

Here is one last image from the month that captures the feel of my outdoor life. You can see “my” river there in the photo as well as the back of my son as he hikes back home along its edge. If you look to the far left of the photo, you may be able to spot my house in the distance. I’m so grateful to be able to share this place with my sons.

Want to join in the Outdoor Mom post?

Answer all or just one of the prompts in a blog entry on your own blog or right here on my blog in a comment. If you answer on your blog, make sure to leave me a link in a comment so that I can pop over and read your responses.

• During our outdoor time this week we went….
• The most inspiring thing we experienced was…
• Our outdoor time made us ask (or wonder about)…
• In the garden, we are planning/planting/harvesting….
• I added nature journal pages about….
• I am reading…
• I am dreaming about…

It’s been a wonderful month outdoors…looking forward to a wonderful December.