After several days on the road, it was nice to wake up in my own bed. It was a glorious morning – cold, crisp and clear. Views from the porch were outstanding.
Looking down valley before the sun came up
This fellow arrived with the sunrise. He was on the trail of some does.
One of the does had been bedded down next to the bee hive. He could smell her.
Soon the big buck was gone but the scene remained.
Today is much colder with a bracing wind and a threat of snow.
Luna and I drove up to Mazama for some errands the other day and on the way home we stopped at Big Valley (part of the Methow Wildlife area and in the winter a great ski trail shared with dogs) for a quiet walk. Summer is drawing to an end and much of the green has faded to yellow. The trail is dusty from use. Walkers, dogs, horses, bicycles and wildlife all share this path through the mixed woods. The river is quite low and yet still inviting and refreshing.
Ponderosa pines
This field used to grow grain or hay. I wonder if this year it is producing canola with the bright yellow flowers?
Still fascinated by patterns in the water
Fish science? 4 meters from the river, something happened. There was a tiny rivulet of a side channel with little fish that might not get out to the main river.
Luna. She hurt her leg sometime after this and won’t be going any walks or playing in the river for a while.
Asters. Nice to see a few wildflowers still in bloom.
Ken wanted to get his line in the water after a hard day of working around the house so he persistently persuaded Luna and me to join him for a little while at sunset. The light was gorgeous. Luna enjoyed some water time.
Today was picture perfect weather for the last day of the hot air balloon get-together in the Methow Valley. Clear cold skies got the balloonists up early and fanning air into their enormous nylon envelopes. Parking lots were full and balloons popped up all over the outskirts of Winthrop. The air conditions must have been perfect as most of the balloons stayed up for a long time and passengers seemed to be enjoying themselves. Everywhere people were photographing the sights with all manner of cameras. The colorful balloons are a wonderful foil to the snow-covered landscapes we’ve had for months now. I think that’s why I enjoy this event so much.
Last night there was a ‘balloon glow’ in downtown Winthrop. The striped balloon is from our local balloon company, Morning Glory Balloon Tours.
Nice moon too.
Balloons in the morning mist
Filling a balloon is a time consuming practice
This balloon had a new pilot and they were trying to land the basket in the river and let the current take them downstream. It’s a delicate balance to keep the balloon inflated and upright and let the water move them along.
That just didn’t look good
Someone else got their balloon in the main channel of the river and set down easily
They had to lift the balloon over the log and still figure out how to get to the other side of the channel
Cameras everywhere
Nope, still not moving downstream
Hmmm, what are they looking at?
Well now they are moving again.
They got down the little riffle
What’s the next obstacle?
More trees to clear
Up, up and away they go!
But Spring is just around the corner. Skiing conditions are highly variable but when they are good, they are very, very good. We still get intermittant snowfall but also warm temperatures are lessening the snowpack in the valley. More animals are moving about. My neighbor even claims to have seen a chipmunk already! Seems to early for them to be out and about.
Making first tracks on the Community Trail near Browns Farm
Big Valley, seen from the Community Trail
Lots of squirrels are enjoying the warm afternoons. This one is perched just above its burrow in the snow.
The Methow River from the Suspension Bridge
Winter still has a pretty good grip up in the Rendezvous area.
I know, it looks like I have been playing a lot; however I’ve also been doing some serious work. You can see that at Reflected Light.
My Everyday Photos 