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Tag Archives: aspen

Evening Walk

We had some hot weather this past week with temperatures going to 100 three days in a row. Needless to say, the dogs and I did not get outside much during the days. That brown dog was pretty bored. On one of the evenings we drove to a place where we could get to the river and it was so nice. The girls were busy checking the pee mail all along the trail. So much news to catch up on. Once we got to the river, we found some sticks and the real fun got started. Willow has learned to appreciate big sticks like Sky but Sky had to assert herself and let Willow know that she is still the chief branch manager. Back at home, we were treated to an amazing sunset.

November

It’s a gray day with the feel of snow in the air. Looks like it might be snowing now. I find it hard to say goodbye to fall but it’s time. No more fall colors, no more brisk hikes in the hills. Soon the hills will be snow-covered and I’ll be waxing my skies. Here are a few fall scenes from this month.

Spring Scenes

A few things I saw last week.

Another Spring Hike

The hillsides are really drying out quickly this year. Mud season usually seems to last weeks but this year it has been short. My favorite vernal pond isn’t a pond. I’ve seen salamanders and spadefoot toads there some years. I wonder how long they can stay dormant underground til the water returns?

Dry hillsides make for good hiking so the girls and I are enjoying it while we can. It won’t be long til we will be able to get up into the mountains!

aspens
last year’s yarrow
willow
last year’s nest
Hairy Woodpecker
Look, I’ve got a stick!
still has a bounce in her step
I got a heavier stick!
Mallard
Barrow’s Goldeneye
grouse

Yesterday’s Dog Walk

Yesterday afternoon we walked here on our hill. It was nice to get up into the tall bitterbrush and sage that did not burn four years ago.

Seasons have changed. Generally speaking, we have three seasons defined by color – white, green and brown – and we are officially in the brown season now. Or maybe it’s more of a golden season. That sounds nicer. Most of the foliage that grew vigorously in the late spring and early summer has dried to a yellowish tan with a few sparks of color here and there. Remnants of wildflowers and berries. Aspen leaves – some still green, many yellow and some more orangish.

Knapweed, a noxious invader but still pretty.
My girl Luna turns 12 on Sunday.
Snowberry. Who eats it?
Mariposa lily, the delightful lavender flower of June. This is its seed pod.
Balsamroot sunflower, dormant til next spring
A nest built in the spring but never used.
The green grass grows where the vernal pond was in spring and early summer.
Yarrow flowers, bloomed white, not so long ago
Sage, dead from the fire
Who is watching who?
Oh, maybe he was watching her
Sky didn’t want me to use this image.