Invasion

Our canal during yesterday's snowfall.  

We've had a couple of weeks of temperatures below freezing, so the canal behind our home is frozen.  It snowed while it froze so the ice is not good for skating, much to the dismay of the locals.  I had my fill of skating in Lake Louise so my disappointment is limited.  

This guy spent an hour eating in our yard

The frozen canal has allowed the deer from the neighboring Canadian Ambassadors estate to invade our yard.  They must be tired of the Canadian's vegetation because they have spent the last two weeks munching on our landscaping.  It's like a whole new buffet to them.

The Canadian Ambassador's Home.  

Many of you may be wondering how the deer are able to sneak into our yard under the nose of our ferocious golden retriever, Graber.  Well, the frozen canal also offered opportunities for him.  Last Saturday, he was spotted sprinting down the ice in chase of a bird.  He has no sense of direction so once he gets out, he's gone.  Luckily Lori lured him back with a squeak toy and promises of cheese.  After that incident he has been sentenced to inside living except for supervised (and leashed) potty breaks.  The deer quickly picked up on his absence and escalated their raids after that.

The prisoner fulfilling his sentence.   

Alas, today Holland famous rain has returned so the snow and ice will be gone soon.  Hopefully, the deer will be on the right side of the canal when it unthaws.

One of the downsides of owning a white car in the winter -- it really shows the grime.  

A new home construction on our street, as viewed from the canal.  The Dutch build homes to last several hundred years so it usually involved steel framing and cranes.  

The small lake in our neighborhood where the kids skate (except for the day I was taking pictures)