Winter Gatherers

The sun was out yesterday and it wasn't too breezy, so I grabbed the camera and headed south to Custer Park, driving E to W on Hwy 16A to the town of Custer...then driving home via Hwy 385 N and Sheridan Lake Rd.....

I stopped in a turnout along French Creek near the Game Lodge area in the park, as I could see birds flitting about...this white-breasted nuthatch landed on the pine tree near the car for a few moments...

I stopped to eat my lunch (in the car) at Legion Lake, a real small lake in the park, which was frozen and covered with a layer of snow...I got out of the car when I saw a flash of movement over 100 yds away at Legion Lake Lodge...I took a shot hoping I could at least ID the bird...as I suspected, it was a gray jay, so they are back (winter migrators) and I have hopes of getting a decent photo this year, having only discovered them last year and not getting any good shots to date...

Out of the park and N on Hwy 385, the bighorn sheep were back at a favored spot, the junction for Sheridan Lake Rd. The male on the right obviously has a hokey rt horn...the sheep on the left appear to be yearlings...there were more adults there but all had their behinds to me, grazing...

 

I had to do my usual stop at Spring Creek picnic area...where I barged in on a squirrel at its pinecone 'factory'...it froze for minutes and I was able to take several shots but for some infuriating reason, none of them came out sharp...ARG!

The pinecone pit at a different angle...

Well hello again! I was walking along the road when I realized Mr. Squirrel was watching me from a tree near the roadside...he allowed me to take photos, which came out better...

What a cute poser...

Spring Creek at a different spot I frequent...

The creek's opposite edge, looking a bit chilly....

I could hear a gurgling sound so I investigated...the creek's current against the edge of the frozen surface was somehow creating this bubbling phenom...bloop!