Winter Begins, NW Montana

Autumns often deep cold days

inspired the spirit and stance of hibernation early for me

the forest cloaked in snow is lovely 

with a deep sense of quiet

 

the little birds still come to me

inspiring joy and calm all at once

this mountain chickadee has a much narrower head than most of them 

sweet black capped chickadee

landing for a sunflower seed

chestnut-backed chickadee

These are the three chickadees that visit me

and then there is the nuthatch:

if it weren't for the tiny birds

a winter hush would be throughout the land

~

lovely holidays to you and yours

Sweet Solstice to one and all!

slowly our days will become longer......

~

* 

Spring an expression of Joy

this little beauty landed near me

maybe 3/4" across

I think it is a female moth, maybe a looper

if you know, please tell me!

another tiny and first meeting

a pygmy bitterroot flower

so pretty

a lovely area of rock terraces

maybe an inch of moss covered soil

the home of vast amounts of flowers!

amongst a sea of colbalt purple larkspur

I found a few lovely white beauties

and

pink:

 walking along a forest path

one big puffball

became dinner:

wild orchids hold a special place in my heart

their season like most wildflowers is brief

the lovely fairy slipper:

spring is lush and green

sunny days and rainy days

wildfire smoke for a few days from Alberta is gone now

I do love all our seasons, 

taking to heart each and every day. 

I hope your spring or maybe your autumn is

offering delight to you, as well.

~

*

Late Autumn

autumn rains were most welcome 

after a dry summer

(I wish I could send it to California, along with the snow we got)

peppermint drop lichen

on an old log in the woods

seeing aqua logs in the woods is always a joy

they can be found, but not that many

autumn colors are past now

it was a lovely season

then the snow arrived....

so darn pretty

I thought winter arrived

but in most places it has melted away

( I live in a snow belt, the snow is still here )

the gentle lovely light of sunset

autumn leaning towards winter

(you can also find me on Instagram)

~

lovely days and nights to you

~

*

Winter in NW Montana

(large tracks in snow made by elk)

yesterday

I found myself thinking:

I live in the land of Christmas trees

our road lined with giant snow cloaked trees 

felt entirely enchanting

sunshine presented the world with light and shadows

ice on my steps 

formed into filigree flowers

before the sun arrived another kind of beauty:

from my home to yours

I wish you holidays that feel good to you

~

*

Tiny House

Who lives down this tiny hole? 

See the ice crystals? 

They are a sign of breath, something warmer than the air. 

Tiny little tracks from the critter coming and going also there. 

~

when the snow begins to melt, a stepping stone path is darker than the grass in between, so it melts first:

 

 ~

a bit like a ginger bread house

with icing sliding off:

I love it when the snow crashes off the roof

always wishing there were children there to hoot in glee with me

~ 

There are so many enchanting wonders in winter.

~

*

 

Snow snow snow

snow falling

little chickadee

all fluffed up

 snow falling

forest cloaked in white

in the tip top of a tree a hawk sits

viewing the world from high
 

(a Rough legged hawk)

 (chickadee was at home, hawk down the road, so little bird is safe)

it has been a snowy week

which often happens this time of year

but more snow than usual

I plowed for the first time this season

that seems early

it is so pretty

Any thoughts on how this circle 

on my frozen pond came to be?

I have never seen that happen before.

Maybe wind swirling around the tiny island?

~

*

First Snow

such a lovely surprise to wake

to 

the first snow

to slip on boots

and 

head out to be part of the snow clad morning

it is all melted now

but

I am left with a reminder to get autumn chores completed

before winter arrives

~

*

March, Winter

March:

snow has fallen most days

or nights

often only an inch

last night we got 6 inches
at this time of year
I always wonder if it is our last sincere snowfall

I see dark eyed Juncos daily

true to their name

it is hard to see their eyes

often around sunset

the sun touches our world

with passion

the world is hushed under the blanket of snow

but for the birds

and 

this pileated woodpecker

drums on the trees

and fills the sky

with 

rhythm

~

*

So Much Snow!

in the past two days

snow fell from the sky

19 inches

much more snow is predicted

in the next day and a half: 20 to 34 inches

time will tell

in my woods 

I sink to my knees!

the little birds all fluffed up

seem fine

my pond has been frozen and snow cloaked since December 5th

usually 

it thaws and freezes 

on and off all winter

 

wahoo winter!

~ 

*