winter wins the tug-of-war

hint of pink on a snowy "spring" morning

true sign of spring

The redwing blackbirds have arrived at the lake, setting up their territories in the wetland and filling the air with their mating call.

The ice is receding and there is now a ring of water all the way around the lake.

The buds on the deciduous trees are thickening with the unmistakable signs of flowering. It is a slow and uneven march toward spring – nearly 50º today, snow and 36º tomorrow!

between winter and spring

We were expecting a snowstorm this morning. I woke to windy overcast skies but no snow. It seems the storm tracked to the east, although it was kind of a dreary start to the day. By the time I was drinking that first cup of coffee and downloading my photos, the sky was blue and the sun was shining.

So I decided to “beautify” my morning catch with a little Picasa2 editing!
(I know! It is hard to tell!)

We're in that season

*between winter and spring*

you have to look a little harder to find the beauty.

but it's there!

the watchers

In search of sunrise, I headed up and off-trail on Green Mountain. Usually I am alone, but there were two other people watching the sunrise. I’m not sure but I think there was a skunk nearby also.
I was happy NOT to see him!!


The show this morning was the beautiful pink clouds that filled the sky to the west – north – east…..


And the flock of geese that flew overhead

on the verge of green

On the slopes of Green Mountain, the landscape is dormant and brown, yet the first wildflowers of spring will be appearing surreptitiously tucked under last years snow- and wind-flattened vegetation.

Right now, the only green on Green Mountain are the sharp blades of the Yucca.

I will be heading back up the mountain until I spy a view of those sweet Easter daisies, Townsendia hookeri.

It is worth the wait!

spring in the air

(flooded corral at Crown Hill Park)

I have noticed something the last couple of mornings.

Warmer? Yes, but that’s not it.

Snow melting? Yes, but that’s not it.

Ground no longer frozen? Yes, but that’s not it.

What then???

I can smell spring!

(open water areas growing in size = more geese elbow room!)

first light - Santa Cruz Mountains

On my last morning in San Jose, my brother drove me through Saratoga

into the Santa Cruz Mountains to a spot where we could see

the lights of San Jose, Palo Alto and San Francisco.

Above the clouds, we saw a spectacular sunrise.

Tips for photographing chickens.....

Take lots of photos as they are in constant motion!

To my vegetarian friends, these chickens will never be eaten.
They are pets first and egg providers second.

4 chickens = enough eggs to feed 7 of us a pancake and egg breakfast.
Delicious

My brother the breakfast chef.

God's Dog

Mother nature had a special treat in store for me this morning. Besides the beauty of a colorful sunrise, I watched a coyote cross the frozen lake. I couldn't get very close but the moments passed with my complete rapt attention. I chatted with an elderly man walking his dog. When I excitedly pointed out the coyote, he said, "Oh, there are usually two!"

day dream

I am a person of positive outlook – it comes naturally to me. However, on Friday morning, I felt my sunrise photos slipping into that blue white-balance nightmare. I couldn’t seem to focus and set the camera to compensate! After all, it was blue and overcast with snow-covered ground and the slightest haze in the air.

Just when I was about to accept blue snow, the clouds lit up

with light from another world.

The sky changed from mundane to torrid in a matter of minutes.

Sunrise Sky from Lucia, California

Monday, February 5, 2007

winter respite

I had to come home to find foggy coastal weather!

Bundled up against the below zero temps, I headed out west for 5 days in California, from San Diego to San Jose to Big Sur and surroundings. It was sunny most of the time and luxuriously warm and green. Here in Colorado, we are in that very dreary time of winter when the snow is melting, revealing mashed brown plants.

Green is a rare commodity.

I had hoped to meet up with Monterey John but scheduling conflicts put the kibosh on that. I have a new, even higher, appreciation for his fine photography. It is no accident that I covered some of the same ground that is part of his home turf.

I also had a fine visit with my brother and his family. They live in the city but manage to have a menagerie that includes a dog, a cat, 4 chickens and 4 finches. His home is a little bit of farm in the city.

Despite the beauty that I saw, I am happy to be home. (I wonder if I could hide a few chickens in my back yard?)

scenes from the neighborhood

piles of ice & snow everywhere

We’ve been on a wild ride this winter. It started with the pre-Christmas blizzard and continues with weekly snowstorms. The little bit of snow today caused lots of slipping and bumping into each other. We are expecting a high of 7º on Friday, but I don’t care – I am headed out to California for a little vacation. I am so excited to be able to spend a night on the coast.

off to school again