The first day of Spring featured cloudy, breezy weather bringing in sleet, rain and snow. We got out for some birding with one of the highlights being Sandhill Cranes and Tundra Swans on Cameron Lake Road east of the lower Okaongan Valley. The birds flew right across the road, giving us excellent views and a good opportunity to hear them calling back and forth. We estimated there were 200 to 300 cranes and maybe 25 swans.
Some days the sun shines and the promise of spring is everywhere. Other days, like today, we wake up to snow and then rain, gray skies that do not help melt the heavy snow or dry up the mud. Wednesday was a day that featured the promise of spring with birds singing and outstanding views and water rushing down the road, creatiing rivulets and puddles and imitations of Lake Missoula flooding everything in its path.
Says Phoebe
Much is said about the four seasons of wonderful weather that everyone loves in the Methow. However, few talk about the fifth season – Mud Season. This is a time when folks flee the valley. Vacations are planned around this time of year. Any sane/smart/well-adjusted person finds some reason to be somewhere, nearly anywhere else, this time of year. Snow continues to be piled all around houses; some roads and many driveways alternate between ice (in the dark of the night and early morning), slush, and then mud. Skiing condtions might be good, but more likely a skier will be faced with slow, jerking slop. Classic skiers rejoice, letting skate skiers know that their season is longer and more adaptable to unpredictable weather. The ice rink is closed. Alpine skiers enjoy the few remaining days at the Loup, knowing that the lifts will soon cease to operate despite plenty of snow in the mountains. And some of us yearn for Spring and gardens and look forward to next Winter.
Where do you park the car?
Don’t go out without your mud boots.
The promise of Daffodils
and Strawberries too
This handsome bird showed up under our feeders with a big mob of Red-winged Blackbirds. The blackbirds seem to be bent on eating us out of house and home and we are seeing fewer of the other birds who have kept us company all winter. The Varied Thrush didn’t seem to take any guff off of them and shared his seeds with Mourning Doves, Dark-eyed Juncos, Northern Flickers and the blackbirds. He stayed for several hours. I hope he returns tomorrow. I looks forward to his ethereal song in the forest.
Seems like it has been snowing everyday recently. Sometimes the sun comes out and taunts a person with a promise of Spring, just around the corner. Even the Spring birds have returned. However, more snow is falling, even with a temperature well above freezing. It’s sure to turn to slush soon.
Back to flowers. This Bromeliad (related to a pineapple plant) has been with me for probably twenty five years or more. It blooms frequently, regardless of the season although more often, during the winter season. I am always intrigued by the intricacies of the flowers and how they change from being a bud to full bloom to drying out.
My Everyday Photos 