A roller coaster of a week here in the Black Hills of South Dakota. What started out as a cool autumn week turned into a winter snowstorm mid-week and ended with temps in the 50's and a spring-like snow melt.
Where to start? Since it is Saturday and so many of my fellow bloggers have Saturday Critter editions, I will start with the animals that we saw this week. First, the trail cameras, only two this week. This first one I thought was cool because it not only showed deer and a turkey at the water tank, but if you look closely, you will see a magpie on the floating board as well. You m+ight have to click on the image to really see it.
This one was taken at the pond which is just a shadow of its original self from back in the spring. But enough holds on to provide water to the critters. There are at least 5 deer in this picture, and I didn't even bother counting the turkeys. I bet we have over 60 turkeys on the property every day. They are actually starting to get annoying as we are out there deer hunting.
Since I mentioned them, here are three of my favorite Saturday Critter blogs........
An English Girl Rambles from 2016 to ....: SATURDAY MORNING AT THE BIRD FEEDER
Viewing nature with Eileen: Saturday's Critters # 568
Reflections from Crumbly Acres: Saturday's Critters
Speaking of deer hunting, we are getting out as much as possible, mornings and evenings. No big bucks yet, but lots of does, so once they come into heat in the next week or three, the bucks will show up!
This is the same doe in both pictures, notice how red her fawn is compared to her grey coat.
We have one ground blind and two tree stands out. I was sitting in the ground blind below, when a flock of turkeys came strolling by. 20 birds probably walked single file by my blind when one of them decides to sit down and take a rest within feet of me. So weird. That thing sat there for 5 minutes before it got up and carried on its way.
We did not get out every night as we had several activities planned. Wednesday was bingo night at The Beacon in Custer. We have never done it before, but fellow blogger, Nancy, makes it sound so fun, we just had to do it!
Cheap entertainment, we only spent $6 per person for 6 games. Sadly, we did not win anything, but we did have lots of fun!
Thursday night was of course Halloween. We took Lily into Custer for Trunk or Treat; she came back with a bag full of candy which she has hid in her room, so grandpa and dad do not steal it all.
Meanwhile in Pennsylvania, our granddaughter Kendall dressed up what she described as "A Preppy Cowgirl". Next to her, is her cousin Braden.
Zoey and Chloe even got dressed up!
Friday night we went to a hayride! Kevin and Cheryl's neighbor, Greg and Jan, invited everyone over for happy hour and a hayride followed by supper at Kevin's. As you can see by the smiles on everyones faces, we had a great time! Greg dressed up in his wildman hat
Greg and Jan had their house decorated for Halloween, Bonnie made a new friend!
Now for the snow event! It was on Tuesday/Wednesday. We ended up getting 3 or so inches, just a few miles away at Kevin's house they just got rain. I think we are only 200' higher than them but it must have been enough to turn the rain to snow. The first snowfall of the season is so beautiful, I just had to get out and take some pictures.
I will leave you with this picture of Zoey. Anytime I have bacon, this is the look I get...... How could you resist this face?
