Let it Snow! 1-30-11

As predicted, more snow fell and the wind howled last night.

This drift reminded me of the blue glaciers in Alaska.

Blowing and drifting snow begins to occlude the road.

More snow and wind all day, have undoubtedly increased the drifting.

The old cottonwood appears steadfast in the storm.

Snow day Vista.

1-30-11 Snow Report

...And there was a road, January 2011

High, wide and deep.

Good neighbor moves mountains of snow.

Whitey on the newly dug road.

Widening the road.

Whitey on widened road.

East -West stretch all tuned up.

Glistening snow crystals shine in the sun.

Now you see me....

Do you still see me?

How about now?

I

I can see you....

Freshly caught meal.

I spy with my little eye....

 

The "Big Dig", Sunday, January 23, 2011

After the snow and high winds of the weekend, I wandered outside to find the road drifted.

 Oddly enough, spots right in front of the house had blown nearly bare, while other places were drifted solid.  

In the bright sunshine, crystals of snow appeared as if glittering diamonds, sprinkled on the snow.

 Wind and mother nature created odd sculptures with the snow.

This shot reminds me of a sandy beach that has been caressed by waves.

Even though we were snowed in, I found beauty in the sculpted, almost manicured snow drifts.

In this shot, you can see the snow catchers that Jim has plowed in the fields.  Snow blows across their tops.

The ridge running down the center of the shot is our southern most shoulder of our road, on the east-west stretch.  It looks like the plow will have no trouble opening it up.

Grains of snow blow about, driven by winds.

More of Mother Nature's artwork.

The snow appears smooth and sculpted.

In anticipation, we had chained up the plow.

Jim, plowing a snow catcher out in the field, along the north south stretch of road.    There is a"helluvalotta" snow out there!

A view of the snow catcher, looking behind the plow.  We spent some time here, me ferrying tools and Jim working feverishly to start the plow.  This was NOT the place to be "dead in the water."

The dreaded north-south stretch of road.  Here, Jim blasts a hole through the heavy drifts.

Many others have it even worse, with livestock to feed.  We are fortunate.

While driving along behind the plow, I spotted these grouse, holding tight on the ditch bank (soon to be our only road in and out until spring).

This bird , reluctant to expend energy in flight, allows me to get even closer.

 When I traveled south, they turned and went north.

 With a hole blown open down the middle of the road, Jim begins the arduous process of widening the road.

I keep telling myself that it will be a lush, green spring!

The grouse decided that we had disturbed them enough and moved into the relative safety of a tree top.

Jim attempts to push a large drift but soon decides that we'd best get my car out, or it would be impossible to do so.  From here on out, it's 4x4 travel only.

The forecast was calling for high winds.  The edges of the road grow higher and higher as the snow is pushed up farther and farther. 

In spite of the difficulty winter has brought, I can still see the beauty it brings.

Thought for the day:  We must pay a price to live in the country. 

Winter Report 2010 -2011

Hello, kids!

It's been a while since I was able to post.  I have a selection of winter photos for your viewing pleasure.

My middle aged Christmas cactus shows its stuff.

I spotted this hawk, resting in a tree.

 A deer had meandered through the snow drifts.










 This fawn has lost its Mama to hunters. 

I love the contrasting colors in this shot.

The ice crystals appear to be made of glass!

 

Another look at frost laden grasses:

I took this shot under flash one morning.  It looks more like foam than frost!

 A similar shot under natural light.

Before the river froze over, I spent some time capturing the silvery reflections.

Icy fingers reach out into the water from the river banks in a world of gray and white.

I always admire this fine old cottonwood, nearly perfect in stature.

A thick coating of hoar frost clings to delicate cottonwood branches.

Hoar frosted branches against a clear blue sky.

I spent some time in my garden, admiring dill heads in the snow.

I love the snow capped heads!

Here, grasses bow in the snow.

While shoveling snow on a cloudy day, the sun began to peek through.

Snow capped echinacea.

During a snowstorm, this small army of grouse marched across the field, to rest as a group.