Moose on the loose!

This morning when Baxter and I got up and went outside to do our morning chores, we both noticed something amiss.  He sniffed and sniffed at the lawn, and I wondered why there were large indents where he was sniffing.

Then it struck me.  A moose had been sighted just a few miles north of where we live, and I wondered if she had wandered down to our house.  That's when I noticed the huge print left in the damp soil around one of the sweet cherry trees!  Sure enough, this was a moose track!

Can you see the indention left by the moose that walked across the lawn?

Here's a photo of the print in the damp soil around one of the sweet cherry trees.

And my hand in the photo for perspective on size!

Tonight was the most incredible night time display.  The moon is a Cheshire cat moon and both Venus and Jupiter are right next to the moon, very bright and brilliant.  These photos were taken shortly after 10 pm and you can still see some light on the horizon.  Just a few more days until the summer solstice and the longest day of the year.

The moon is the lowest object.  Jupiter right above the moon and Venus slightly to the left.  The light on the horizon is a neighbors yard light and has nothing to do with the night time sky.  

The moon tonight.  Soon it will set and then the stars will be out, as bright as can be.  Billions and billions of them.  We're just a tiny speck in the whole scheme of things........

So incredibly beautiful.  Aren't we lucky to get to experience the night sky in all its brilliance?