The snow didn’t not miss here so the ground is no longer bare so a hike through the fields and woods will take a little more effort through the deeper snow.
Hike Without Snow
Picture of the Day for February 23, 2017
The critters (including chipmunks) and the birds have been enjoying the snow free lawn. They, like me, might be hoping the snow missing the area tomorrow.
Bird Enjoying No Snow
Picture of the Day for February 22, 2017
A walk around the lawn and woods today didn’t reveal any wildflowers, which is good if a foot of snow is coming Friday, but there was some green moss with sporophytes sprouted making it look like spring had arrived.
Moss Sporophytes
Picture of the Day for February 21, 2017
With almost all the snow gone, at least temporarily, I almost expected to see some wildflowers popping up, but of course I didn’t see any in the woods today. But maybe some skunk cabbages have poked through the soil in some other areas (leaving a smelly odor too marking its presence).
Smelly Skunk Cabbage
Picture of the Day for February 20, 2017
Yesterday my pond started to overflow from the melting snow but with the rain today, the scene changed from snow to a lawn covered in running water but since it was still raining, I didn’t venture out for the after picture today.
Overflow Before the Rain
Picture of the Day for February 19, 2017
The record breaking temperatures this weekend had more people outside enjoying the weather. And since the path would be free of snow, some may have hiked the hill to get to the church at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Church Uphill at the Shrine
Picture of the Day for February 18, 2017
The water was really running off my roof from the melting snow and it wouldn’t take long to get wet standing under the roof edge but you still would get wet a lot faster from a waterfall, especially if you fell in the river. But maybe the snow will be all melted off my roof before the snow comes again.
Side Branch of Eagle River
Picture of the Day for February 17, 2017
After I had no cats left in the house, I said I wasn’t having another pet in the house and that lasted until a squatter sneaked into my house. Apparently when I brought the flower pot late in the fall, in an attempt to save the last blooming plant, I also transported something else. And when the plant died and I quit watering it, the resident in the pot had to come out looking for water. So one day, I discovered a gray tree frog on my floor (covered in lint as he must have ventured under the dryer) and it was below zero so I couldn’t release him outside.
And although today would be warm enough, I don’t know if he would be able to find a place to burrow in with the ground frozen so I guess my pet gets to stay a little longer. So it was a good thing that I learned how to catch flies alive when I was a kid for my science experiments (like painting their wings different colors and releasing them to see were they went – although my mom wasn’t too appreciative of my experiment), but at least I have food for my unwanted pet.
Froggy Friday
Picture of the Day for February 16, 2017
The sun was very slow in peeking out today but tomorrow the sun should warm the day up to feel like April instead of February. Spring wildflowers or summer flowers like this coneflower won’t be spotted but the warm temperature will be nice to enjoy instead.
Summer Coneflower
Picture of the Day for February 15, 2017
When I was hiking through the trees on my way to take a picture of the sunset, I heard a noise and I spotted an uninvited squatter in my wood duck house. Apparently this squirrel has made a himself quite at home in my duck box and it is probably the same critter that figured out how to get to my bird feeder and eat my seed too. He will be evicted before the ducks return as I am denying his squatters rights!
Squirrel Squatter
