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December Walks

December was generally gray with some snowfall. We really need a lot more snow especially after the New Year’s Eve rain, freezing rain and yesterday’s spring-like conditions. The forecast is showing some snow this weekend. Fingers crossed.

The girls and I had some nice walks in the hills last month and judging by these photos you can figure out (as if you didn’t know already) that two of my favorite subjects are dogs and trees. Maybe that’s why Sky likes sticks so much. Another thing I like is a spot of color on a gray day. Especially red. Even without much snow or sunshine, we enjoy our walks in the hills around the valley.

Red Crossbills in the Snow

These bright red birds are delight to see anytime but in the snow their vibrant color really pops! Crossbills are a member of the finch family – like American Goldfinches, House Finches, Pine Siskins and Pine Grosbeaks. They use their crossed beaks to break into pine cones and get the nutritious seeds. They will also come to feeders for sunflower seeds. I have read that if they have sufficient food, they can breed anytime of the year. Before the fire we observed them here year-round. Now they are just an occasional visitor to our feeders. They must miss our pine trees as much as we do.

Above the Clouds

The weather is notorious for being gray this time of year and sometimes, there’s just not enough snow for it to really seem like winter despite the cold. And once the highway closes for the winter, it is hard to get above the thick layer of clouds into the sunshine. These photos are from earlier in the month at Washington Pass before the highway closed. We were not alone. Lots of folks were skiing and walking and playing with dogs and everyone was happy, especially the dogs. Someone asked if my dogs were puppies. They sure act like puppies sometimes.

This is Claire, a border collie. She crashed our photo session and then was skeptical about having her photo made.
That big dog trying to catch Sky is a husky/malamute/sheltie mix.
The sun went behind the mountain about 1:00!
Magnificent ice formations along the highway.
See you next spring!

Scenes from a Walk

Not enough snow for skiing but cold enough that a person needs to wear warm clothes. The dogs don’t seem to mind. Few birds around. I did see my first of the season Northern Shrike. Also Black-billed Magpie, Mountain Chickadees, Common Raven, Northern Flicker and Red-tailed Hawk.

Ponderosa pine cone
Wolf lichen on pine bark
Sagebrushh
Pockets of blue sky
New growth

A Few Birds

This time of year, activity at the bird feeders picks up. For the first time we are trying a platform feeder and it is very popular. Finches and quail and other birds are really enjoying it. And the Steller’s Jays have returned. We haven’t seen them here since before the fire in 2014! There are lots of woodpeckers – Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers and Northern Flickers too.

House Finches
Female Downy Woodpecker
Male Hairy Woodpecker
White-breasted Nuthatch
Steller’s Jay
Worn tail feathers
Not a feeder bird. I do wonder if it has a deformed beak or if that’s a stain from its last meal.