The birds were singing today but so far I haven’t heard any brave spring birds which have returned yet but they might want to see some ground without snow first. Although farther to the south, trumpeter swans have return already, but prior to 1935, seeing their return probably was a rare sight since their numbers had declined to 69 known individuals after widespread hunting in prior centuries.
Springtime Swan
It did not look very green today for St. Patrick’s Day especially when snowflakes were falling. And with a depth of several feet of snow in my yard, no clovers or shamrocks to find. This glen, after the snow melts, looks like a place where little leprechauns might be hiding and maybe a different Blarney stone.
Green in the Glen
The snow melt slowed today as temperatures were cold overnight and didn’t get to freezing today but the prior two days melting has streams and rivers overflowing. Even the little creek at the farm, which you can hop across in the summer, looks more a river. Now if that refroze to a hard surface, it would be a fun place to go ice skating.
Creek Overflowing
The chipmunks have returned from their winter burrow, or at least one has dug two feet up through the snow to eat seeds under the bird feeder. And my cat probably wishes the screen wasn’t separating them but the cat did have watching the little rodent. But the chipmunk probably got cold feet standing on the snow since it wasn’t enjoying a nice summer day like this chipmunk.
Return of the Chipmunk
After two days of rain and fog, I definitely need to find some ice skates as my icy driveway has been polished to a slippery mess. It may be a while before the ice melts and the gravel reappears.
Icy Driveway
The snow covered driveway yesterday was a better option than the slippery mess the rain left today. I used snowshoes that has spikes on the bottom to make it up my icy driveway to get the mail. Even one of the farm cats slid downhill on the ice and more rain tonight will polish the ice some more.
Before the Ice
It finally got above freezing today so instead of more snow today, rain is falling and melting some of the snow off the roof but not enough to flow like a little waterfall yet.
Light Flow at Twin Falls
Blue skies and the remaining hardy oak leaves help lessen the white look of long winter.
White Winter
Morning revealed new snow drifts and it was harder to shovel since it was heavy snow. The long winter has me dreaming of sitting on a beach where the water isn’t frozen and sand instead of snow.
End of Day at Lake
The strong winds ahead of the snow storm caused pine cones and some remaining oak leaves to fall. Although the fallen oak leaves on the snow were brown compared to autumn when they first started to turn colors.
Start of Color Change
