This time of year is prime time.
It is cool, then warm: almost hot, then cool
The transition to green from the white of Winter always happens with seeming suddenness.
During the cool, rainy days there is fresh mountain snow.
The road home is dressed in green, white and blue, blue sky.
The valley…
The mountains…
Prime Time.
Bear and I headed to town at lunchtime. I thought I’d get a few groceries.
About a third of the way there, I decided I didn’t really feel like going all the way and doing the grocery thing.
We were approaching the road to the wild bird spot so I decided “a walk!”
I forgot the area is closed from March 1 until July 15.
BUT, the road from the highway is long and pleasant and the day was beautiful so we walked.
Along the road, one of my favorite barns…and I think they are dismantling it. I thought maybe just a new roof but as I watched for a bit, I think they are taking it apart.
So maybe the last photos of this barn that provided a lovely foreground to the mountains behind.
The road…and the sky and the clouds.
We had a glorious walk!
Spectacular clouds and sky on the road home!
And green in the fields!
Happy Day.
**Auggie caught a yellow jacket today (outside) and did NOT get stung. I dispatched it. They are slow. I’ve caught 2 in the traps. So the count so far is 5: 2 in the house, 2 in the traps and 1 by Auggie 5 queens = a potential 15-20,000 YJ’s over the summer.
We got snow: about 6 inches of very fine sugar-snow. Well, it settled to about 6 inches. It was very cold and instead of the fluffy powder of a 20 degree snowfall, the fine snow and a bit of wind caused it to compact and be unexpectly heavy. This was new to me and I was surprised shoveling the little bit I shovel as well as surprised by the plow leavings.
But it is beautiful and especially this morning as the sun came out with perfectly clear “not a cloud in the sky” skies.
But cold! This morning started at 7F.
Auggie went out…briefly and then retreated to his cozy sunroom chair.
Bear and I had our walk but he did not hesitate to come in when we returned.
Ice on the hanging moss twinkled like crystals as the sun rose.
And at lunchtime, the sun hit Beardog point.
The snow started late afternoon yesterday (Friday), while the temperature was above freezing.
It continued and at a perfect temperature to mix with the icy puddles and make walking normal again.
We went from ugly to pretty and by this morning (Saturday) there was somewhere between 2 and 3 inches of new stuff.
Perfect…not so much that anything except the walk to the garage needs shoveling but enough to make walking around pleasant.
And overnight we had a visitor…
Mr. or Ms. Raccoon, but I think Mr. because of the size.
2 back feet and 1 forefoot print.
The forefoot print is about 4 inches long. Auggie has large feet but his print would barely cover the pad of this raccoon.
If it is the same raccoon that has been around since I’ve lived here, it is LARGE raccoon kind of resembling a small bear cub!
Lots of tracks through the yard, around the garage…
…and all around the house.
Sometimes, wishes come true.
This afternoon.
Pouring snow.
All together.
In the holiday spirit!
I have not been off the property in several days. Bear was looking longingly at the garage whenever we went out
So, today, off we went.
Out for a walk and to see what we could see down the road.
We made a quick trip to the dump with garbage and then to the empty subdivision where we often walk.
Yea for the Jeeper!
We rolled in through snow up to its hubcaps with nary a slip or slide.
The scenery was a bit “Currier and Ives” looking with a few blue patches letting the sun come through.
It was a beautiful day to go out for a walk.