A little early morning commotion

Same snow, different day

Are you tired of seeing "ranch in snow" pictures? I am.

We got more snow last night, and there are a few more storms in this week's forecast.

I was able to get to town last weekend by leaving very early and 

returning home while the road was still frozen.

Imagine my surprise to learn that wine cannot be purchased in New Mexico until after 7 a.m.

I may have to write my congressman.

When I noticed this woodpecker or sapsucker or otherwise dangerously beaked bird

eyeing the tires, I moved the Ranger back to its rightful parking space in the garage.

The herd remains confined to the corral because of the treacherous footing.

When they're not eating or waiting around for their next meal...

 ...they're engaging in behaviors they would not consider

under normal circumstances.

 All of these tracks were made by rabbits...

 ...followed by the occasional coyote...

...under the ever-watchful eye of Smooch.

In the still of the night

It's impossible to describe how quiet it is at the 7MSN, especially during the middle of the night.

But every once in awhile, something breaks the silence, and it's enough to set all your hairs on end. 

I've been wanting to share the experience with you, so I've kept the video camera on the nightstand 

in preparation. The video below is mostly audio, so don't be alarmed if you see a black screen. 

Just imagine it's 3 a.m. ... and very dark ... 7 miles south of nowhere, New Mexico.

The daily coyote

We've been having a fairly regular visitor lately. He wanders through his territory 

in the early morning, passing through and doing no harm ... so far.

 Whether she's in her yard or in the house, Smooch lets me know our visitor has arrived.

 I assume he's a he. I really have no idea. But I do know it's the same coyote day after day.

Part of me knows he's a menacing predator, but the other part of me knows he's a magnificent animal.

The fence that separates him and his brethren from me and Smooch and the chickens and Wynonna

has allowed us to co-exist all these years, and I choose to believe that it will continue to do so.

George and Alan have always had our backs when it comes to coyotes. 

They chase off the coyotes when it's obvious that they're hunting and leave them alone when they're not.

After a brief consultation, George and Alan chose to leave this coyote alone.

I issued a stiff warning that it was time for him to be on his way, and he left. 

Then I went to the barn to take attendance.

 All the chickens were present and accounted for, as was Johnny.

Johnny: You worry too much. Give me a little credit for being a very wise cat.

360 degrees of coyote

It was early Monday morning. I was outside enjoying the cool, wet weather 

and trying to take pictures of how good everything smelled.

Smooch went on extra-high alert. Something was out there that shouldn't have been.

Hank saw whatever Smooch saw and went on alert, too.

I looked and looked but saw nothing, which was no surprise given my lack of coffee and glasses.

But it was time to get to work, so Smooch and I went in the house and I forgot all about the alert level...

...until Smooch ran to the guest room door and reminded me.

That explains it.

I didn't need my glasses to figure out where the coyote was. I just followed Smooch from window to window to window.

People who live in glass houses shouldn't close their curtains. They'd miss all the fun.

Lucy and the boys were busy grazing somewhere and unavailable to chase the coyote off the property,

but I'm certain she could feel Smooch staring a hole through her hide.

She wasn't in any particular hurry, but she was headed in the right direction.

Look very closely right between Smooch's ears and you'll see her.

Here, let me put my glasses on for you.