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Tag Archives: Methow Wildlife Area

Late Winter Hike

The girls and I ventured out into the hills last week. Our path was sometimes covered with crusty or soft snow, mud and occasionally dirt. The steep south-facing slopes are bare and dry but other locations not so much. At the top of our climb, it was windy. Very windy. No flowers yet and very few birds but that’s changing quickly.

Remnants of an old foundation
Watch out for old barbed wire
New growth
Looks like she could fly right into that wind!
bunch grass
Last year’s balsamroot
Too much knapweed, or barnaby as they call it around here
Looking down valley
Squalls in the mountains.

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

Early Spring Hike

The girls and I enjoyed a good hike in the hills on Saturday.

Remnants of ranch life
Lots of water from snowmelt
This male bluebird was trying really hard to impress a female with his choice of a nesting cavity
Dusky Grouse
Stunning mountain views
Dead aspens
Aspens returning
Last year’s mariposa lily
Last year’s fireweed
My twelve-year-old hiking girl
Let’s go!

Snow Dogs

We got out with Mary and Molly today and enjoyed new snow and sunshine too. The dogs were ecstatic to be out and about. Luna was there even if she doesn’t show up in photos.

Molly had her pine cone and Sky had her small log

Afternoon Hike

Yesterday the girls and I set out around mid-afternoon looking to stretch our legs and enjoy the fresh air. We headed up Frost Road and walked to Aspen Lake. It’s a pleasant hike in the spring and fall with great views of the valley and surrounding mountains.

We started out in warm sunshine but soon it was raining and I was grateful for my little rain jacket and wool hat. Following the rain was a terrific rainbow. Some snow remained in the shady areas and some places were very wet with water running down the trail. A few small flowers are blooming and grass is greening up. Lots, like hundreds or thousands, of Dark-eyed Juncos and some other birds. The lake is still mostly ice-covered but won’t be for long.

White-crowned Sparrow
snow melt
She’s excited to see chipmunks
Such dramatic clouds
Dead trees dancing with their shadows
Oh look, she’s got a stick.
Not a very sneaky trail cam. I hope they like pictures of black dogs.
run off
sage
shadow and light
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