Category Archives: nature

A different perspective

January 11, 2021Columns, fun, naturesusanmanzke

It’s winter, but I’m daydreaming of spring.

Even on a white, snowy day, I can close my eyes and think about the green things that will come. Spring is only 68 days away, coming on March 20, 2021.

Today, I’m not remembering the greens of spring, but an insect that also conjured up dreams of warmer days.

We had a large fish tank then that held a few goldfish large enough to gulp down a fly. My three little fish today wouldn’t be able to do this. They survive on flakes, which they gobble.

Car-E the cat was chasing a faux ladybug beetle the other day. That bug entertained him for a while. I didn’t squash it. Sending it to bug heaven didn’t seem right. It seems that even tiny critters are safe here, at least for the time being.

A look around

January 7, 2021animals, nature, Weather, Wisconsinsusanmanzke

I found beauty in my back-backyard today. This is where my family has camped on Sunnybook Farm.

Just two quick views of the farm on a cloudy day.

There are no other human footprints but mine in this section of the yard. Most footprints around belong to the cats, maybe a few came from raccoons or opossums.

Nature surrounds me.

A frosty morning on the farm

January 3, 2021nature, Sunnybook Farm, Weathersusanmanzke

Usually, I get up looking for a bright sunrise. If I’m lucky I can snap a colorful photo to post on Facebook.

The first days of January 2021 have been foggy/cloudy meaning no pretty sunrise photos.

Daughter Rebecca said I should take a photo today just the same. Instead I took these two short videos.

front yard

backyard

The frost covered everything so walking was slippery. I took my time as I do every time I go outside during the winter.

Today make sure you watch your step as you enjoy the view of the frosty landscape.

A visitor to the farm

October 26, 2020animals, nature, wildlifesusanmanzke

Sunny stopped before going into the backdoor. He had sensed something and looked up.

So did I.

This is what we saw.

Luckily, I had my phone in my pocket and could take these photos.

The third photo wasn’t worth saving as it only had part of the eagle’s wing as it flew away.

Seeing a bald eagle on Sunnybook Farm always seems magical–unless it is looking for a chicken dinner.

A library that checks out skulls, furs, and mounted fish

October 13, 2020animals, art, naturesusanmanzke

This 2017 video starts with a library in Anchorage Alaska where you can really check out bones, mounted animals, and other preserved bits and pieces from wildlife.

I can see a teacher checking out native animals to display for his/her students, bringing nature into the classroom.

I can also see writers checking out the same conserved beasts and setting one up in his/her office as inspiration.

In this short video, you’ll see a snowy owl. I imagine that J K Rowling could have had that sitting in her office as she wrote about Hedwig.

I know libraries are more than books. Years ago, I checked out artwork to put on my walls before I filled my walls with my paintings and family photos. I have been in a library that offers patrons large cooking pots and tools for canning. They also had games and jigsaw puzzles to check out, too.

If I lived close to that Anchorage, Alaska library, I know I would be checking out interesting animal artifacts. If not for inspiration, I’d love having them around just to look and wonder at.

Susan Manzke

Writer, Speaker, All-Around Good Person