Swan Saturday

I was lucky enough to chance upon a pair of swans this Valentine's day . the smaller birds are canada geese . The birds were resting about a quarter mile off the shore in a thawed area on the lake. I never tire of the beautiful sounds the water fowl make calling to each other.

Guilty of just fooling around

McDonald Lake 

I am totally guilty of just fooling around. Jan 3 to 5 gave us 3 feet of snow and that took a bit of time to rearrange . Other wise known as shoveling .  The birds have needed their feed and time to track the bobcat visiting the yard. Last weekend brought some sunny days and a great time to go snow shoeing up the Going to the Sun Road.  Blue Skies , snowy peaks and clear water. It doesn't get much better.

Edging towards the New Year

Lighted Bike

Downtown Whitefish

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First seven inches of snow

streaming snow

17 inches Sunday Morning

The snow started Saturday late morning and continued until the next morning early. 17 inches at the house. Before driving home on Saturday I went downtown for a few errands. The wind was whipping up and the snow was flying . The nice thing about decorations in the winter is that it makes the cold season a bit more cheerful. A bike rider crossed the street near by . I followed wanting to get a picture of the super cool bike with lights on the tires. He disappeared around a corner but lucky for me he stopped at the liquor store.  When I returned home we had the first 7 inches on the ground . By morning the second 10 had joined . The trees had been transformed to near snow ghosts. The snow is a blessing though. Good snow pack is water next year and a nice insulating layer now for the tender plants hibernating winter. Time to rest , stoke the fire and contemplate the New Year just around the corner .

On the ski mountain

On Whitefish Mountain near the Base Lodge 

winter skies on the ski hill 

the girls visiting 

A bit of winter for you . My part time job takes me to the ski hill a few days of the month. The snow was falling and nice for skiing  filling in the bare patches from earlier in the month. The valley continues to be warm in the low 30s with rain . Glad to see the snow higher up . The girls came through for a visit earlier in the morning . They are like dainty cows in a way . Cute animals of course when they are not eating my flowers.

Preparing….

Winter sun in the Southern Heaven

clouds boiling over Jewel Basin

Frozen passage on the Lake

Winter Greetings from  Latitude 48.  ( Aye , I know that my friends in Canada and Alaska are more North ) On the winter solstice the sun will make it to 18.4 degrees on the horizon. That is low enough for me . I will be glad to see it's return to a warmer and more elevated position . For those in Montana Winter solstice will be here at 4:03 PM MST on December 21st. It amazes me how astute our ancestors were in noticing the turning of the stars and our sun , all without that annoying voice on the GPS. Although GPS is certainly a fun gadget , is it making us dumber and less aware of how to navigate? Brave our ancestors were to board rickety wooden ships and cross the oceans with hand held instruments. No GPS in sight .

This is a good time to take stock of where your footprints have been . Take a moment to consider how many people have received your kindness and compassion  Are you taking care of those things that have been put into your trust ? 

Steaming Monday

steam rising from the firs in the sunlight 

True confessions. We have a lot of clouds in the winter . This definitely leads to a vitamin D deficiency but it also makes you a bit buggy . When the sun does present itself it is a wonderful celebration . To stand in the warming rays and enjoy the feel of the sun on your face. Ok so it still does not make vitamin D in the winter. The sun is too low in the sky. Nontheless it is nice to buzz outside and enjoy something besides grey. Last night due to the clearing of the clouds Orion was clearly visible in the night sky  . There is nothing like the brightness of the winter stars . A beautiful sight . And today we will enjoy the Sun sans usual shrouding .

March in December

Forest in the front yard 

Hoof print of a friend 

Friendly firs

wood sled

There is an unwritten rule that requests the temperature to stay under 30 degrees once winter commences. The weather is ignoring that this year and we are drippy. A similar drippiness occurs in March as we thaw from the winter . Needless to say it is very slippery out . I have remembered to secure a sled this year for my wood transportation. Normally I make 4 trips to stock the wood box for a 24 hour period . However the sled is great and easily moves 8 pieces at one time which will last a good 24 hours . The wood heat is much more warmer than the propane altho that is certainly an option.  Grateful for dry seasoned wood and a stove that has low emissions. We often get inversions in the Valley and I am glad I am not boosting the particulate matter .