A Brand New Year

My last drive-about of 2009 was on Tues. I enjoyed being out on the dirt and gravelly back roads E of the Black Hills, amid the farms and ranches. I find it very peaceful and quiet in that area. Besides the hawks and grouse that I came upon, I also enjoyed the scenery, despite the cold and leftover blizzard snow...

There was the distant view of Bear Butte to the north, from Ricard Rd. ...

There were swirly, pretty patterns in the snow along the country roads...this one reminds me of the quilted top of a mattress...

There was a whipping cream-smooth snow bank looking freshly whipped up...look closer, it's surrounded by critter paw/hoof prints....

There were many stacks of hay bales, covered in powdered, sugary snow...these with the Black Hills in the background...

Also enjoying the view in the area was this hawk...there's a bit of melancholy to the open prairie grasses, but it's overridden by the peacefulness, for me at least...

Suddenly, amid all the stillness where only an occasional bird was stirring...a cottontail caught my eye as I drove by this gravel driveway in front of a house. It didn't budge as I backed up to take a snap. It blends so well...if it wasn't casting a shadow, I may have missed it...

An unexpected, smile-invoking surprise at the end of my outing along country lanes...nature never fails to move and amaze me. I can't wait to find out what She has to share in 2010!

Family, friends, and fellow bloggers...I wish you an amazingly healthy and rewarding New Year!