Back from the Edge

We didn't quite fall off the edge of the world, 

but I am pretty sure that we could see it from where we were... 

Wow! It's been almost two months since I have updated my blog. Between shows, holidays, and nasty weather, it has been difficult to get out and do anything "blog-worthy"! But enough excuses... 

We have been looking forward to this day all month. One way or another, we were going to go outside and play! Since it was our 28th wedding anniversary, I was not really all that disappointed that other friends already had plans and we were left on our own. 

We slept in a little bit in the morning, but when Dan saw the clear, sunny skies, it was "Hurry up!" The skies may have been sunny, but the air was COLD! It was too cold for riding or hiking, so we set out in search of eagles (which was what I really wanted to do anyway). The trees and bushes were still frosty where the sun had not hit them, and when we came to a pullout overlooking the Yellowstone River valley, we just had to stop. 

We were barely back on the road when we stopped again, because we spotted the first eagle of the day. And crows, and magpies, and... What was this? A pheasant? In a tree? 

The eagle sightings had only just begun. We probably saw a dozen before the day was through. Matthew 24:28 says, "For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together." The verse definitely proved true, as nearly all of our eagles were scavenging. 

I was surprised that this bald eagle was allowing the smaller bird to feed unmolested,
but then it occurred to me that it might be her offspring. 

Once the other bird flew off, the eagle took possession,
and the sharing went by the wayside!

Mine, all mine!

As the afternoon shadows lengthened, we turned toward home. In a tree near the road, something caught my eye. It took a few seconds to register what it was, then I was urging Dan to stop. It was a porcupine, and a young one at that. He was camera-shy, and played peek-a-boo through the branches. I never did get a really good picture, but it was still a special ending to a well-spent day. 

Peek-a-boo!