Skip navigation

Category Archives: Uncategorized

Bridging the Gap

Today was the first day I’ve seen the new pedestrian bridge at Winthrop open and it was a glorious day to try it out! After spending most of the morning at the MVSTA ski swap it was nice to get outside and be reminded about some of the things we like about living here. The clear blue skies, the cottonwoods, the fish in the rivers, the birds flying in the trees and over the rivers, the camraderie of the friendly people who live here.

This new suspension bridge joins the old part of Winthrop with the newer developments to the south. Also it makes it incredibly easier to WALK from downtown to the Town Trailhead and the Ice Rink and other destinations on the west side of the river. Not only walk, but bike or ski. It’s a great place to watch wildlife – birds, fish, deer, rubber ducks…….. I saw and heard American Dippers flying up and downstream. It’s a great place to see Bald Eagles.

The most amazing thing to me is that many people have been and continue to be opposed to it! It is the first and needed step to continuing the trail system down river. Congratulations Winthrop on a job well done.

The new bridge is located slightly downstream from the confluence of the Chewuch and the Methow Rivers

Mount Gardner

Ken enjoyed watching the fish and talking about them. He identified at least four different species – whitefish, steelhead, bull trout and coho salmon!

Coho returning to Spring Creek to spawn. We were able to see numerous redds, the places where the fish lay their eggs.

 

Looking up Spring Creek on the left

Paddling into November

Yesterday with my boat piled up high on the truck I drove to Patterson Lake. It might be the last paddle of the season. Snow is in tonight’s forecast and according to local predictions, we may be skiing before the end of the month. I sure hope to get my boat out again before winter sets in for good.

 

The weather was chilly with a light breeze and brilliant sunshine on the fading autumn foliage. It’s been too long since I’ve been in my boat and I felt clumsy to start but soon got into a rhythm. A Pileated Woodpecker crossed the lake in front of me. Hooded Mergansers acted as though I was a threat and flew before I could approach closely. The males are already showing off their big hoods while the females act disinterested. I heard but didn’t see, Mallards. No little birds were heard – no chickadees, nuthatches, finches.

 

At the south end of the lake, I observed these green round ‘things’ in the water. They were small, mostly less than a quarter inch in diameter but some a bit larger. Are they algae? Some sort of eggs? Seeds? In some places they were piled several layers deep; other places they covered the lake bottom in a single layer and in some places they were sparse. I’ve never seen them in the water before. With me on a boat and these underwater, they were hard to photograph. I got some in my hands their texture was spongy. I should have taken them back to shore to get a better look.

 

My boat matched the scenery.

 

I also saw a number of dead fish at the south end of the lake. Are these 8-10 inch fish planted kokanee? Are they spawned out? I also saw schools of similar fish swimming in the same area.

 

This not quite grown-up Bald Eagle flushed from a pine as I paddled by. Looking closely, you can see that it has one of those small fish in its bill.

A few seconds later it flew back in the other direction but now the fish is in its talons.

Life is full of excitement.

Spring in the Methow

Yesterday, for part of the day, it really, really did feel like Spring. Lots of birds were singing and announcing their territorial decisions. Red-tailed Hawks circled as I got too close to a nest. Chipmunks tormented the dogs. Much of the snow has gone and the hillsides are starting to dry out. Tiny wildflowers are emerging from the moist duff. Anthills are a frenzy of activity. Currant leaves unfurled in the sun and serviceberry reached for the sky.

Later in the afternoon, a cold wind blew off of the snow-capped mountains.

Sharp-shinned Hawk

This small accipiter visited our bird feeders yesterday sending all the little birds scattering. It didn’t stay long when it realized it would not be finding its dinner at our place.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Open Merc February 15

So we made it to Open Merc in Twisp this week. Lots of good local musicians playing a nice mixture of original music and famous tunes as well. The Merc has great acoustics and is a wonderful place to hear music. I think they said the next one will be March 23rd. But check with the Merc  website to make sure. Don’t rely on my memory! If you are wondering about some of the props in the background, the Merc is also having rehearsals for its upcoming play – The Hobbit. Ken was the last to perform and he had two really fun accompianists – Egon Steinebach on harmonica and Brad Pinkerton playing the mandolin.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.