Tired Winter Thursday

K and I rolled out early this morning for a snowbike ride. To our relief, we didn't see any hunters' vehicles parked in the usual places, making me feel more at ease in the forest. We missed actual sunrise but we played in low angle sun at a favorite lookout point.

K was full of energy, and I watched her romp in the snow, enjoying her happiness. I took off her orange vest briefly so that I could get a photo of her full chocolate coat.

Although I was feeling exhausted today, I headed for some solo riding and wildlife camera visits after I left K at home. Some days when I'm tired, riding my bike energizes me. Not today. Every pedal stroke felt like a monumental effort. I cursed my huge wide tires and how much work it takes to push them across the ground. I conveniently forgot that I wouldn't even have been able to pedal through the snow on parts of my ride today without wide tires. Ah well, we all have those days. They make the great days even better.

Checking the cameras showed me that the deer have fled our neck of the woods in the past few days, after marching past my trail cameras on many occasions in recent weeks. We've had a hunter who has been scouring the woods and has scared them off. I hope that this big buck, who has delighted me with his majestic antlers, is still alive and well.

Another big buck visited a camera, first cautiously sticking his head into its view.

Then, he trotted past the huge Ponderosa Pine tree keeping his eye on the suspicious trail camera.

I wonder if the younger buck shown below, sans one antler, tangled with a big buck. I admire his panache if he had the courage to take one of them on.

My trail cameras have made me root much harder for the wildlife during hunting season because I capture glimpses of their lives throughout the year. I'm hoping that these bucks are still alive and well when hunting season ends. At least one of our local herd has been "harvested", as I know because the dogs and I found the "gut pile" near our property.

This evening, we headed out for our sunset hike and saw birds flying south across the colorful skies. They seem like they're running a little late... but who am I to second-guess them?
As the sun set, the moon simultaneously rose on the opposite side of our world. K was "over the moon"!

Now, it's time to sleep and hopefully find my usual energy for life tomorrow!