Last weekend we went to a new place in a light rain. It burned some years ago and the trail has not been maintained this year so we had many logs to clamber over or get around. At 5500′, we found the small lake still partially frozen. A Spotted Sandpiper did its characteristic bobbing on the ice. We had the place to ourselves til we turned to leave and then we encountered three different parties. Mostly it was quiet in the burned forest.
Or maybe it should be End of Winter Birds or Blues. Spring doesn’t begin til Sunday in the northern hemisphere. We still have some snow on the ground but it is decreasing everyday. Say’s Phoebes and Violet-green Swallows are here along the Western and Mountain Bluebirds, Western Meadowlarks and the Dusky Grouse are making appearances too. Here are a few bluebirds and a Western Meadowlark from recent walks on our hill
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.
The dogs have been enjoying the weather recently. Nights are very cold and in the morning the snow is firm enough to support their weight. Mine too. Daytime temperatures are well into the forties so all in all, it’s a lovely time to be out and about!
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!
My Everyday Photos 