The big icicle on the front corner of the Writing Studio and Bait Shop wept on and off all day yesterday, a day that had its moments of sunshine and near-tropical warmth. I believe it got all the way up to 30° F. in the shade. The icicle’s sturdy point developed icy roots, and each of these wept in turn. The whole arrangement resembles a misshapen carrot, but it’s more beautiful.
The Laidlaws have been having an exhilarating winter. There was Andi, down on the beach, walking Tiger the cat on his leash. Then, Bruce writes, Tiger’s eye’s went wide and he puffed up. Andi spotted what had his attention. Far out on the ice a fox was trotting along in search of who knows what. Probably just out for a walk. Andi called me from the beach and I went to the cliff and spotted Mr. Fox.
He came, he saw, he photographed. Bruce knows these aren’t the best pictures of a fox that you’ve ever seen, but they are pictures of our particular fox on our particular stretch of Grand Traverse Bay shoreline, so we have a proprietary interest. Enjoy.
Torch Lake Views 
uphilldowndale
February 6, 2011
You’d have to be top of the food chain to be out on the ice wearing coat so red!
Gerry
February 6, 2011
Here I am still struggling to get the icicle to behave and you’re teasing the fox! He–or she, who knows–is a beauty, eh?
Nye
February 6, 2011
Gerry, s/he is a beauty and must be searching high and low for food. It must be an early sign of spring for the icicle to melt. 😉
Gerry
February 6, 2011
You’d be surprised how many little rodents there are running around under the snow. She’ll find food. As for signs of spring . . . Mama Nature has a cruel sense of humor. Last year she brought us summer weather in mid-March and a bad cold snap in May. We don’t put away the YakTrax until June. 🙂
Robin
February 6, 2011
Oh! They are so much better than my particular pictures of the pair of foxes that came by our way not too long ago. It was the first time we had more than a blurred glimpse of them. We’ve heard them (and what a noise they make!) in the garden area in the spring.
Your icicle is a work of art. 🙂
Robin
February 6, 2011
That should be “Your icicle is a work of art.” Wish we could edit comments. The cats were vying for my attention while I was typing. Still are…
Gerry
February 6, 2011
All fixed. 🙂 Cats batting at the keyboard, imagine that . . .
I’m glad you liked the icicle. I was inordinately pleased with it.