Saturday Critters #622

 When we were out last Saturday, the weather was so warm and so beautiful, we stopped at

Lake of the Lilies

I noticed that a few of our winter ducks have made their appearance.

They didn't get the memo that it was still very warm here but now it has gotten quite cold.

They must have heard the forecast.

I only see the American Wigeon during the winter.

- Male American Wigeon -

- Female Wigeon -

- Female and Male Wigeon and making an "almost" heart -

- Male American Wigeon, I noticed the green patch was much lighter on this male -

- Female American Wigeon with a Coot photo bomber -

- Female Ruddy Duck - 

This Great Blue Heron was way off in the distance, I see them here year round.

These turtles were off in the distance also, I have never seen them this time of year.

Autumn is still holding on, just barely!

Sharing today's images with Eileen at 

Viewing Nature With Eileen 

for Saturdays Critters

As The Seasons Collide

As one season fades and another begins to shine, winter is just around the corner.

I am excited as I adore winter and I get so excited when it snows. 

In preparation for this new season, I have made up this winters,

Bucket List

We do not plan on doing all of this...this list is a "reminder" list of things we would enjoy doing.

Some of these are "spur of the moment" activites, some we plan ahead for.

It's nice to have a list similar to this so when you have a free day, you have plenty of things to choose from.

We have had some really gorgeous November sunsets.

Some have been heartwarming like this one at Lake of the Lilies, some have been spectacular....

all have been enjoyed and appreciated.

I saw these soup mugs on a cooking vlog I watch and I knew I had to have them.

I had a feeling they were going to be a little expensive, so I decided before I went to the website

I was going to buy them...no matter the cost. I purchased these 2 of these soup mugs from

Alewine Pottery

They came quickly, triple wrapped for protection and they are gorgeous handcrafted pottery.

They came with 3 cards, one with care instructions, one said Merry Christmas and Thank You 

and the last card gave a complete history of the creator, Robert Alewind.

I LOVE the color and design,

 it was the hubs favorite and my friend Liz liked the blue also.

 It has a huge handle for holding the mug and there is a designated grove for your thumb.

I am really excited to make some homemade soup to enjoy in these.

Some of the plants inside the house are blooming, I can never get enough of plants that bloom.

I thought this was a Christmas Cactus but I have learned that there is a Thanksgiving Cactus too.

Since it is starting to flower, I assume it is a Thanksgiving Cactus.

It has a total of 8 flowers coming.

This Kalanchoe is blooming as well, the color is Flaming Katy.

We were lucky enough to see the northern light on Tuesday night and I was so surprised at the show

right in my own backyard.

They were forecasted to be seen Wednesday night also, I went out several times but it was too cloudy!

But how lucky was I to experience this?

Did anyone else see this extraordinary phenomenon?