Surprise!

The other night after diner, Steve and I sat on the back porch enjoying the last of the day's sunshine. All of a sudden this deer popped up from down the hill.

He just mozied along to my bird feeders hoping to chow down on some black sunflower seeds.

But then it's buddies showed up and they all decided to eat the fresh grass in the yard. They show up just about every day - morning or night. The dogs just lay on the porch and watch them.

Feeding the Deer in Hulbert, MI

Last week our son called from Colorado to say he needed to be in Virginia on Monday (for his job) but wanted to fly into the Chippewa County International Airport and spend Friday night through Sunday afternoon with us.

Yay!

So on Saturday we took him to Hulbert to see the Whitetail deer that come in to feed during the winter months (after the hunting season is over).

We had a warmer than normal fall and early winter so some of the bucks still haven't shed their horns like the two big boys above.

The deer love the sugar beets and hay, but especially love the corn that gets put in the trough. Above Steve and our son are helping Nancy out by filling the trough.

The deer watch from a safe distance away until the guys go back into the restaurant (The Happy Hour).

And then slowly, one by one, the does, as well as one of the bucks, come in to savor the treat!

Speaking of a treat, we received one, too. On Sunday morning our son found out his flight was cancelled and he and some of his coworkers could not fly into Washington DC until yesterday, Wednesday, afternoon, due to last weekend's east coast blizzard.

Double Yay! So we had three extra days to goof off! 

I have more deer pics that I will sort through and share very soon.

Love,

Debi

Hunting Update 2015

Day one of firearm deer hunting season. This is the view from my blind.

One week later this was my view.

How many deer did I see? None. We only have them on our game cameras at night.

Deer Camp looks similar to last years with just a little less snow.

My blind.

Steve's blind. He saw a few doe during the daylight hours. No bucks.

Our little trapper's cabin. Poor thing needs some work done. I wish I could have a conversation with this cabin. Oh the stories it could tell...

The snow is very tranquil and serene. I can't say I was really ready for it, but now with the Christmas music playing and all the Christmas commercials on TV, I'd say it fits right in.

But I'll take those blue skies over gray skies any day.

We moved home from camp, but we aren't finished hunting. I wanted to get a few things done around the house before Thanksgiving gets here and our kids come up for the weekend. I can't wait for that!

I want to give a shout out to Gary Bennett - Happy Belated Birthday! I wanted to send wishes on Facebook, however our phone reception/internet at deer camp isn't that great.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! Have a blessed day!

Love,

Debi

Firearm Deer Hunting Season 2015

And yet another season falls upon us.

Firearm Deer Hunting Season!

We have been busy getting things ready for next week. Sunday is the first day of the firearm deer hunting season. It will last for two weeks here in Michigan. 

This week we swept out our blinds (those mice find sneaky ways to be squatters in our blinds during off season), tested our heaters (I had a problem one year - the mice built a nest in my heater and it started on fire - You can read more about that mishap HERE), and went through our hunting clothes and all the bells and whistles that go along with the sport. Tomorrow we'll go out for supplies and such essentials like batteries for camp, and sight in our guns. Oh yeah, I still need my license, too.

Whew, lots of preparations, but so worth it. Really worth it if one of us harvests a deer!

Oh, and I have some baking to do.

Now I'm getting that butterfly feeling - will I get everything done in time? Have everything we need? Enough food? See a buck? Why am I writing this post when I have so much to do?

Steve has already informed me I may not take as much "stuff" to camp as I did last year.

Gotcha.

This year I'll leave behind all those throw pillows and doilies.

You may have seen these pics on Instagram but I'll share again. Here are a few photos I took of the sky this past weekend back in the woods by our blinds.

I was hoping to get a shot of a rainbow but no success.

And on November 6, this little grandpuppy of ours turned one!

He is the wallpaper on my phone and I smile every time. 

He is so spoiled loved.

Happy Birthday Gus! See you in a few weeks!!

And good luck to all you hunters out there! Stay safe!

Busy Neighborhood

We had some rain this week, but we needed it. Especially to knock the dust down on the gravel roads so we can do some four-wheeling this upcoming holiday weekend. My gardens enjoyed the drink, as well as all the wildflowers that are now in full bloom.

Also, the neighborhood critters have been scuttling about...

Mr. Snowshoe who apparently thinks we can't see him.

This is a doe. I know it looks like there are horns...

A curious doe

She didn't want her picture taken.

These two didn't care.

I'm outta here...

Everybody playing well together.

These next two are my favorites...

A family of sand hill cranes passing by our house and disappearing into the woods on the truck trail. Those young ones are just so cute!

Nancy and Princess the Friendly Doe

If you are ever in the UP during winter, or possibly live in the UP, you have to visit Shirley's Happy Hour Bar and Grill in Hulbert, Michigan, to see the deer.

So many gorgeous creatures! And they are not penned up. They all just yard up at the Happy Hour in the winter because they know they will be well taken care of.

It's almost 5:00 p.m. and they are waiting for Nancy.

Suppertime!

Nancy comes out with her pail of corn and bag of apples. Princess is always there to greet her.

Princess likes to show off in front of all the other deer and get hand fed corn from Nancy while the other deer nervously/impatiently wait.

How about an apple Princess?

She prefers to be hand fed corn kernels.

Then she'll watch Nancy fill up the trough for her friends, cousins, uncles, aunts, and whoever else is waiting for supper.

Here they come...

All eyes are on me as I snap photos.

Who is that stranger?

And they munch...

and munch...

and munch...

...while Nancy fills up the trough by the windows for the customers to get a closer look.

They wait and watch until they dare make their move or until Nancy returns to the restaurant...

...but something doesn't feel quite right.

She senses she's being watched.

And she is...

See the broken glass?

That would be the reason for the bars outside the windows.

Sometimes the deer get a little frisky and take to sparring.

Snowmobilers taking a break and having a burger while they watch the deer.

Thanks for letting me take pictures, Nancy!

Lots of snow in the UP and the snowmobile trails are awesome.

I should know, I'm married to one of the groomers.

More snow in the forecast for tomorrow!