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Evening Walk

The girls and I took the camper out for one night (it was supposed to be two nights) as a shakedown cruise before we get fully into camping season. Sadly, there is a water leak to be fixed. Wish us luck on that. Because of the leak and windy weather we returned after one night.

We chose a campground about 100 miles from home, far enough away to seem really different from here but close enough for a short trip. It is located along the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, a very dramatic landscape. You can learn more about the historic floods here.

After dinner, the girls and I enjoyed a long walk through the basalt coulees and sagebrush, listening to birds and searching for tiny wildflowers. Sunset and moonrise were delightful. The landscape is beyond amazing and the skyscape was equally lovely that night.

Signs of Spring

Here at home, the snow is receding although it’s not all gone yet. Where it has gone, things are growing. And the honeybees are out searching for their own signs of spring. The first wildflowers are steershead and yellow bells. In the garden, chives, daffodils and parsley are all up and growing.

Spring Birding

The girls and I had a field trip day at the big river this week. Somehow, we picked the nicest day ever this year, so far. It got up to 64 and sunny with clear blue skies! I had hoped we might see or hear some cranes but no luck. I feel like they are late getting up here. We did see many herons and cormorants on their nests and flying back and forth. Also, a few raptors, lots of ducks, some loons (maybe some that we see during the summer in the Highlands?), killdeer, many blackbirds, a pair of grebes I have not identified (probably Horned or Eared) and others. And a beaver. Willow found lots of sticks and stinky things. And she likes to watch birds. Sky really just enjoyed the day, getting in and out of the river and finding her own sticks. If you look closely at the big nest near the end, you will see the top of the head of its resident.

Scenes I Don’t See Everyday

Deep green moss. Old pilings. Ferns growing out of a tree trunk. A blue chair. Beach sunsets.

Scenes at the Beach

The weather was good while we were at the beach and we spent many hours walking. There were not a lot of birds around, mostly crows and gulls. We saw just one flock of peeps. There was an eagle nest across the river and we could see them coming and going but no good views of the nest.