December 22, 2012 - The Days Begin to Get Longer

Walla Walla River reflections

Red-tailed Hawk



Twin Sisters and basalt cliff





Today my husband and I spent part of the afternoon out looking at the scenery east of our house.  We drove into Madame Dorian Park and followed the Walla Walla River up to a free-flowing portion, away from the Columbia.  The branches of the trees reflected in the water, we saw hundred and hundreds of mallards (and listened to them).  My husband spotted the hawk, obviously unhappy, trying to dry out wings after a serious downpour.  After much wing-flapping, twisting, and fluttering, he finally took off. 

We then drove into the Wallula Gap.  The sun was beginning to break through, shining on the Columbia.  The Twin Sisters are covered now with lots of soft, green cheatgrass.  This is the season in which cheatgrass can be appreciated!  The color is beautiful, and I watched a flock of geese feeding on it yesterday.  Even those things that don't belong here, that we wish weren't taking over the countryside, that cause more severe wildfires, have a beautiful side to them.  I imagine even cheatgrass was appreciated for something in its original habitat...perhaps what I appreciated it for today.  A bright patch of green, in the midst of the gray of winter.