Will It Ever Be Spring?

Last day of April - and it's snowing. Only a few flurries, and nothing stuck to the ground, but snow none the less. It did warm up later in the morning and actually turned out to be a decent day, but at 4:30 pm the clouds once again rolled in and it began to rain, with the possibility of thunderstorms this evening. Are they still trying to blame this crazy weather on El Nino? Personally, I think this is what typical springtime weather is supposed to be up here in the Rocky Mountains...

The Hawthorns are beginning to leaf out, and the Red Osier Dogwoods are sprouting their soft, fuzzy buds. Osprey and Western Bluebirds are sitting on eggs already, Goldfinches are in full breeding plumage, Ruby-crowned Kinglets are staking out territories and Warblers are returning. The one bird I have not yet seen is the Tree Swallows, which should have been back a few weeks ago; although the weather has been so cold that almost everything is a few weeks behind. Nighttime temperatures are still below freezing!

We should already be seeing Arrowleaf Balsamroot starting to bloom already, but they're only now sprouting their leaves. Pasque Flowers are just beginning to bloom, and there have been no sign of Glacier Lilies anywhere - which is strange because they're usually one of the first signs of spring, often blooming through patches of snow. At the same time, Yellow Bells are blooming all over the place along the river, and some of those blooms are already turning red with age. No wild asparagus yet, and it may not be ready to pick for another four to six weeks.

The ground however, is soft enough to dig, as evident by the many mole trails along the path and into the meadow. Lots of tracks in the mud along the creek; deer, turkey, raccoon, otter and a number of unidentifiable birds. Should be some young ones before too long.

Visitors From the East

Woke up this morning to rain on the window and a chill in the air. It's April 29, and there is a winter storm warning for all of the mountain passes in the entire state. This afternoon was mostly cloudy, but the sun did manage to peek out here and there. And at 7:30 this evening - there was a blizzard! It only lastes about 20 minutes and didn't stick to the ground, but it was snow all the same. It's almost May and still old man winter refuses to release his grip...


On the up side, after hearing it and only catching glimpses of it for the past three years, I was finally able to capture photographs of not only one, but a pair of Eastern Bluejays!! We're not supposed to have them here but apparently they don't read the field guides, as there have been reports of the on the east side of town for several years. Well, they've immigrated a little further west, and here they are, right in my own backyard...

Springtime in the Rockies

I woke up this morning to clear blue skies, bright sunshine and birds singing from every available treetop. It was a little bit chilly, but I took the dogs for a nice long walk and by the time we got back home it had warmed up considerably.

I did some laundry and hung it out on the line to dry, then headed into town to run some errands. About an hour later I noticed that some evil looking clouds had formed and were hovering over the mountains near my house. By the time I arrived at home it began to sprinkle, and just as I got the clothes and the dogs into the house, there was a downpour of heavy rain and hail.

About an hour later I was sitting at the computer and noticed a slight movement out the window. Thinking it was a bird at the feeder, I looked out to see a blizzard! Yes, I'm talking snow and wind, and lots of it. It only stayed on the ground for a few minutes, until the sun came out and melted it all away. Can you say spring???

April Showers

Well, the snow has finally all melted away; to be replaced by rain. Gray, dismal skies today, but not cold, and I went for a walk on the trail. The creek is flowing high and fast, and the overflow channels are full. The water is muddy from the sediment being washed down from the surrounding mountains, and is still icy cold. No sign of the beaver, mink or otters today.

There are plenty of birds out in the woods; Ravens and Crows, Chickadees, Robins, Flickers, various Woodpeckers, and Meadowlarks. Along the fenceline there are several Western Bluebirds hunkered down in the rain. Their puffed out feathers making them look as if they've been blow-dried, with their tiny beaks sticking out on one side. A Red tail Hawk circled overhead, searching for mice and voles, but they too are scarce in this weather. The deer are bedded down in the thickets beneath the cottonwood trees on the south side of the creek; a couple of the does looking as though we'll be seeing new fawns in June.

Walking along, I was savoring the smell of the fresh spring rain, and I was suddenly aware that the sound of the raindrops hitting the hard dirt trail is the same sound as steak sizzling in a frying pan. Oh great, now I'm hungry! Didn't stay out too long and when I got back home my jacket looked as though I'd gone for a dip in the creek! Thankfully it's quite waterproof, and except for a "water line" where the rain ran off of the jacket and onto my jeans, I stayed relatively dry. I'll spend the rest of the day by the fire; curled up with my dog and a good book. Today I'll be content to view the great outdoors, from the great indoors!