December 12, 2013
Winter walking
Yesterday I refurbished an old pair of crutches that I found in the garage and after a few experiments, found out that they let me get out and walk with minimal pain. I walked again today, adjusted my technique and can hike almost pain-free. What a relief!
When I reached this point at the end of a huge alfalfa field
and was enjoying the view, I noticed this little fellow almost at my feet. He is staying, for the moment at least, in a 20-ft section of irrigation pipe. Pretty safe place!
Cottontail
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Montana Outdoors 
What a sweet little guy/gal… My husband has had a knee replacement and then more.. Not fun! Take care..
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Comment by Roberta — December 12, 2013 @ 7:45 pm
Thanks!
I’m hoping my problem will take less than that, but I’m very glad they can do it!
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Comment by montucky — December 12, 2013 @ 8:11 pm
How wonderful! Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Lovely images … what a little sweetie in the yellow grass and snow. Great photo.
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Comment by Teresa Evangeline — December 12, 2013 @ 7:47 pm
Isn’t he a cute little thing? I wish him well!
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Comment by montucky — December 12, 2013 @ 8:13 pm
Great to see you out and about, and what a great find!
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Comment by Harold Rhenisch — December 12, 2013 @ 8:12 pm
I saw just his ears there yesterday. Today I approached slower and looked closer. Yes, it’s good to be at least a little mobile and be able to get in a little conditioning.
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Comment by montucky — December 12, 2013 @ 8:19 pm
Sweet pic of the rabbit in the snow.
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Comment by wordsfromanneli — December 12, 2013 @ 8:28 pm
I wish he would join us down at the house. There is a nice covered log deck there where he would be safe.
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Comment by montucky — December 12, 2013 @ 8:41 pm
It’s wonderful that you were able to get out and that you found a friend to share the afternoon with. He is a sweetheart, for sure. His coloring is beautiful, too. He certainly blends in well with those grasses – bunny camo!
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Comment by shoreacres — December 12, 2013 @ 9:36 pm
I would be happier if the bunny would pick a spot much farther away from that road. The little traffic that is has won’t be a big threat because it is all slow, but there are a lot of other critters using that road at night. One night about 10 years ago I drove that road very slowly in 4 inches of new snow, following the tracks of a cougar just to see if I could catch up with him. After 8 miles I gave up, but learned a lot about how they think and what they know. That one was very savvy about ranches and knew very well the ones that had dogs.
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Comment by montucky — December 12, 2013 @ 10:23 pm
So glad you could get out and walk. That had to make you feel better! Little rabbits are favorite subject for me and your little rabbit is just perfect. Thanks for sharing.
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Comment by Elizabeth — December 12, 2013 @ 10:05 pm
I’m glad that you also like the bunnies! I hope next week to go looking for a snowshoe rabbit, especially if we have more new snow.
The hiking of the past two days has me feeling much better again. I am so accustomed to it that I miss it maybe more mentally than physically, and even more spiritually.
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Comment by montucky — December 12, 2013 @ 10:25 pm
That spiritual part of getting out into a world you love and enjoy is the foundation for the mental and physical part. Hoping when you get that knee fixed you can rely on some of your photos to take you there until you can go yourself again. And, from what you have shown in your determination on some refurbished crutches, you will be out and about in no time! hugs
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Comment by Elizabeth — December 13, 2013 @ 8:26 am
Actually, the timing is good for me. The trails that I most enjoy are not accessible to me in winter anyway because the roads that lead to the trail heads are snowed in. I will be in hiking shape easily before those roads open. In fact, I look forward to a few hikes on snowshoes before winter is over.
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Comment by montucky — December 13, 2013 @ 9:50 am
Excellent meadow walk. How beautiful. And full of life.
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Comment by Lynn Millar — December 12, 2013 @ 10:09 pm
I think you would enjoy that old road too, Lynn, at least once on a cold snowy day. You get to see some of the soul of the planet.
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Comment by montucky — December 12, 2013 @ 10:27 pm
Nice walk indeed. I love the second photo very much – cute.
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Comment by Sartenada — December 13, 2013 @ 12:02 am
I like that one too, Matti!
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Comment by montucky — December 13, 2013 @ 12:12 am
Gosh, be careful on the crutches in the snow – hope there’s no icy bits. Hate to hear you say you needed a new leg (as well as your knee injury). Maybe you can tack some mini crampons onto the bottom of the crutches – lol. (sorry, I shouldn’t be laughing as I’m sure your knee is painful).
Lovely picture of the meadow and the cute little bunny, or is it a hare (maybe hares have bigger ears?).
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Comment by Vicki (from Victoria A Photography) — December 13, 2013 @ 12:59 am
The crutches are surprisingly stable in the snow and ice, and of course, if they slip, it might be painful but not a bigger problem: I’m used to rough terrain and bad footing. At least for the most part they let me walk with little pain and that’s such a great thing for me!
The “bunny” is a cottontail rabbit, a rather small species of rabbit that grows a wonderful winter coat, but retains the same colors year around. I will look for some hares later next week I hope. They are about twice the size and are pure white in winter except for the tips of their ears. I know where there are some, but obviously finding them in the snow is another matter.
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Comment by montucky — December 13, 2013 @ 1:10 am
I like seeing cottontails now that I don’t grow vegetables any more. Those little guys can really do a number on a garden! It was nice of him to sit still long enough for a portrait.
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Comment by New Hampshire Gardener — December 13, 2013 @ 5:16 am
I spent some time in coastal North Carolina when I was in the service and while there got to know several farmers who had fairly large farms. They said the rabbits were eating a surprising amount of their crops and they were always looking for folks who would come and hunt them.
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Comment by montucky — December 13, 2013 @ 9:52 am
Glad you were able to get out and “walk”!
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Comment by roberta — December 13, 2013 @ 7:04 am
Finding that I am now able to do that was like an early Christmas present!
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Comment by montucky — December 13, 2013 @ 9:53 am
That’s good, I hope you feel better for doing that! And that’s the cutest rabbit! 🙂
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Comment by Jo Woolf — December 13, 2013 @ 7:32 am
I feel much better after two days now of being able to get some walking done. And it always bring the bonuses like the rabbit along with it!
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Comment by montucky — December 13, 2013 @ 9:55 am
Glad you got in a little ‘walk about.’ And what a cute little bonus finding a new furry friend.
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Comment by Mama's Empty Nest — December 13, 2013 @ 8:19 am
I started walking a lot 7 years ago when I found that it got rid of severe back pain that I had. At the same time I realized that my metabolism demanded a lot of exercise, so being able to walk/hike is much more important to me than it would be to most people. For example, I jot down the distance I hike every day, partly to document trail lengths and partly just as a matter of interest. By the end of this week, with the help of the crutches, I will complete 1,600 miles this year.
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Comment by montucky — December 13, 2013 @ 9:59 am
Oh my gosh, Montucky, that is AWESOME! 1600 miles is quite an accomplishment. Walking more is something I need to do too as it would probably help my hip pain, so you’re inspiring me. 🙂
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Comment by Mama's Empty Nest — December 14, 2013 @ 9:00 am
It has certainly helped me in a number of ways. I hope your hip pain is not caused by something that would be irritated by walking. Might be good to check.
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Comment by montucky — December 14, 2013 @ 9:37 am
Looks like cottontails like to hang out about anywhere, even in the snow. I saw one in my backyard this summer-here’s the posting:http://marygilmartin.wordpress.com/2013/06/26/rabbit-in-my-backyard/
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Comment by Mary Gilmartin — December 13, 2013 @ 9:29 am
That’s a great photo!
This time of year they are a little easier to find because of their tracks in the snow. In the areas near where I live there seem to be about the same number of cottontails and snowshoes. You have to work at seeing the snowshoes thought because now they are a white as the snow! So far I’ve not been able to get a good photo of them in their white uniforms.
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Comment by montucky — December 13, 2013 @ 10:05 am
Beautiful season, great pictures.
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Comment by Dana S. Hugh — December 13, 2013 @ 10:07 am
Thanks Dana!
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Comment by montucky — December 13, 2013 @ 10:47 am
Love the bunny pic but these made me feel very cold.
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Comment by Tammy — December 13, 2013 @ 1:21 pm
That little bunny is wearing a very warm winter jacket; so was I.
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Comment by montucky — December 13, 2013 @ 2:52 pm
What a cute little guy. I always feel sorry for rabbits, they seem to be constantly on the watch to not get eaten and never just living a carefree life.
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Comment by Candace — December 13, 2013 @ 9:58 pm
I feel sorry for them too, Candace, especially the little cottontails. I walked by that spot today and as I approached I saw an adult and a juvenile Bald Eagle and several large hawks. I was concerned for the bunny, but when I got to his irrigation pipe, there he was. The raptors were there for a deer carcass a few hundred yards away.
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Comment by montucky — December 13, 2013 @ 10:03 pm
Oh, did you had a surgery to your knee ? Well, it’s good to know you can walk with not too much pain and I hope you’ll fully recover.
Lovely photos montucky 🙂
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Comment by Inspired and pretty — December 14, 2013 @ 3:48 pm
I’m waiting for surgery to be scheduled. I’m sure it will be OK, just anxious to get it done and glad it’s winter so I can be in good shape again by spring!
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Comment by montucky — December 14, 2013 @ 3:58 pm
Hope you’re on your feet and hiking again soon, Montucky- love the photos!
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Comment by Watching Seasons — December 17, 2013 @ 1:39 pm
Thanks! I’m sure by spring!
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Comment by montucky — December 17, 2013 @ 2:45 pm