Monday, March 09, 2009

Mountain Monday With Suzie and Sam*

*extra points to whoever figures out the song!

It snowed all day today, so the mountains were hidden behind a thick curtain of clouds. BUT, I happened to head out to one of my favorite picture taking spots on Thursday, so you will have your mountains after all! The day was glorious, masquerading as spring.



























I wasn't the only one fooling into thinking Spring might be arriving, all the animals in the area thought so too!





































While I was taking the picture above, I spotted something swimming in the water!








Let's look a bit closer. Do you know what it is? At first I thought it was a beaver, because, dang it was big! But no, a quick glimpse of his tail told me it wasn't a beaver, but another denizen of the local waters, the muskrat! Actually, two muskrats. I didn't see them dancing the jitterbug, but I am sure they were when I wasn't looking. (If you don't know what I am talking about, you are probably just a young'un then!)












The tundra swans have arrived in Utah by the thousands, and they looked so pretty white against the water.







The bald eagles are gone for the year, but I did have a chance to watch the golden eagles get settled down for the night. The best part was hearing them call out to each other as they tried to find a comfortable place to rest.



While the mountains may have not been visible today, that doesn't mean I didn't find something to photograph for you. Today, I went to my own backyard to catch this shot, just for you. I hope you enjoy it!



The sunsets here are so magical.






I am way behind on my comments for other people's blogs, fear not, I shall catch up tomorrow, I promise!

32 Kids Who Want To Play:

Lana@The Kids Did WHAT?! said...

Oh, you MUST be referring to "muskrat love"? (I love that song!)

GRRRREAT photos! I want to be there RIGHT now. Seriously! Okay. not right now. too dark. Maybe tomorrow afternoon? I wonder how long it would take me to drive to Utah... :)

Kristina P. said...

That snowflake picture is amazing!!!

Jillene said...

Gorgeous as usual Jo! But that last picture BLEW ME AWAY--it is FREAKING AMAZING!!

Amber said...

LOVE the snowflake picture!! LOVE! Glad your internet it back. You know you can come here and use my internet for free right?

Lisa said...

I LOVE the snowflake pic!!! All of them are beautiful but that snowflake is amazing.

elizasmom said...

MUSKRAT LOVE!

And oh, the one of the swans with their neck intertwined — so BEAUTIFUL!

Just SO said...

Okay. Muskrat love? Is that the song?

And how long are the trumpet swans around??? I may need to come and visit and have you show me where they are. That is just COOL.

Jo said...

SO, they should be here most of the month, come on up! Email me anytime and I will give you my phone number and we will go visit my magical trumpet swan area!

Yondalla said...

I love your photos...they make my Tuesday morning special.

Karen said...

Do you sell these photos for postcards? Because you should...they are so beautiful.

K J and the kids said...

You need to print and sell the picture of the snowflake. ARE YOU KIDDING ME !
Great pictures. Well worth the wait.

Miss Melissa said...

Muskrat Love, of course ::insert chirpy little rodent noises here::

Jo, those are some awesome pics. What kind of camera do you use?

Jo said...

My camera's name is Baby, and she is a Nikon D60. I love her.

Me (aka Danielle) said...

As always..FABULOUS! I'm not convinced that you find this beautiful scenery in our great state! I think you are truly one with nature Ms. Jo..no one else I know manages to come up with such beauty.

Debz said...

Oh the snowflake and the two swans!! My favorite pics. What a glorious day for picture taking and you didn't disappoint.

Christa said...

Your pictures are, as always just beautiful. I can't wait to really get down to experimenting with my camera. I want to take pictures just like these.

rychelle said...

those puffy white clouds! i think i'm in love!

that snowflake shot is AMAZING. SERIOUSLY AMAZING!

Laura in L.A. said...

Jo, every single picture could be a postcard! You have such an artistic eye. The snowflake picture is a marvel!

Love, Laura

Mongoose said...

That second-last one is incredible. You're so talented. And your animal ones, too. I never get such good ones. I'm guessing you don't have a crazy dog that looks like a predator along on your photo shoots. :)

Coach B. said...

Your photography is so good Jo! I would love to go with you next time you go out...please!!!

Jessica G. said...

Wow, I loved that picture of the snow and ice! Amazing!

Bonnie the Boss said...

Ditto to Kristina on the snowflake pic! i LOVE THE ONE OF THE SWANS WITH THEIR NECKS CROSSED TOO! confounded caps lock. I am not changing it. Sorry, really I am not shouting at you.

Holly said...

The snowflake is breathtaking. I love your pictures, it's so beautiful where you live!

Debbie said...

Oh my heavens! That snowflake photo should win any contest.

wendy said...

Muskrat love ----of course!!!!!!!!Captain and Tennille-----You photos are always fun to see. you get some good shots.

Dads(2) said...

FUN, I soo need spring.

3 Bay B Chicks said...

What is this Muskrat Love business, Jo? Is that the right answer? I was thinking about something more along the lines of John Denver and Country Roads.

Am I even close?

-Francesca

PS: I love that you have a deep and meaningful relationship with your camera. You should write about Baby sometime.

Bobie said...

I love the pics. Thanks for sharing!

Jillybean said...

Those are some FABULOUS pictures Jo!
You've really outdone yourself.


WV handuls
The way TAMN would spell handles.

Amy said...

The snowflake picture is the best thing I've ever seen. Amazing. i want to live where you are.

Azul said...

Jo, I love the muskrat pictures! I actually think rodents of any kind are pretty cute. Show me a butterfly though, and I scream like a girl.

I'm saving my nickles for a big girl camera, and the D60 is high on my list.

Jami said...

WOW! The swans. The snowflakes. Sensational.

Lady, I am impressed.