Stragglers

There are still a few birds at Creamer's Field.  Today I saw five Sandhill Cranes.

Sometimes when I see a group like this I just would like to strike up a conversation with them and find out what their story is.

One of the Cranes was limping and it looks like it might have a broken leg.  The feathers were all ruffled up and he didn't look well at all.

 You can see the difference in appearance when he is standing next to one of the other Cranes.

He seemed to be eating okay, but he didn't want to put weight on the bad leg.

I would like to think he will heal and make the long journey south okay, but I don't think the outlook is very good.

The Alaska Range

The Alaska Range runs across Southcentral Alaska  from the Canadian border for approximately 400 miles in an arc down to the Kenai Peninsula.  It contains the tallest peak in North America, Mt. McKinley, at 20,320 feet.  I took these shots from the University of Alaska campus on Saturday.  In the foreground you can see the airport, and on a clear day you can see McKinley.  It wasn't a clear day, so no McKinley.

Winter is Coming

All around Creamer's Field are the signs of approaching winter.  Some ducks and Canada Geese still linger, and on Saturday I saw one lone Sandhill Crane, although there may have been more hiding in the tall grass.  The trees have mostly dropped their leaves and are ready for the first snowfall.  The old dairy barns have their new coat of paint and wait for another of the many long winters they have endured.

Above is the view from the front of the barns and below is the view from the rear.  If you missed my posts about the history of Creamer's Dairy, you can click HERE to read more.  You can also click on Creamer's Dairy Barns in my labels section to see more photos and history.

Around the side of the larger barn is one of my favorite views, showing how it looked on Saturday, and below that on September 8th, and finally on June 18th.

Every time I go I capture a different mood, and I am drawn to go back again and again.  There are not many old barns in our area, but fortunately these beautiful old dairy barns have been preserved.

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Click on the barn below to see many more lovely old barns at Tricia's Barn Charm!

Sunset Through the Trees

This morning we had a spectacular sunrise--but I missed seeing it.  This evening there was a lovely sunset--I didn't miss seeing that!

I Found It!

Remember that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow that I couldn't find a few weeks ago?

I just wasn't patient enough.....

 

 ....and at the rate the leaves are falling it's going to disappear again very soon!

Lancaster Barn

When we were in Lancaster County in Pennsylvania in early October of last year I shot many drive-by barn photos.  This is one taken near Strasburg.  Lancaster County is full of many such beautiful pastoral scenes.

I liked the cows in front of the barn, and if you look closely (enlarge the photo for a better view) you can see some chickens off the the left.  

The farmyard scene seemed to cry out for a little playing.

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Take a little rural break and click on the barn below to go to Tricia's Barn Charm.

Today's Fall Colors

 

 

More Shots From Creamer's Field

Saturday when I visited Creamer's Field there were just a few Sandhill Cranes, a couple of lagging families.  There were still quite a few Canada Geese and ducks.

The fall colors were beautiful though.

 

Creamer's Dairy Barns in the Fall

The change of seasons is rapid in Interior Alaska.  This week more and more trees have changed color and many are already dropping their leaves.  More and more birds have packed their bags and headed south.  The old Creamer's Dairy barns are perhaps at their best against the fall colors.

Take a walk with me around the barns.  Click HERE to see my post for Barn Charm last week and the difference in the colors since last week.

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Check out more old barns at Tricia's Barn Charm