February 27, 2013 - A Walk in the Wye

Canvasbacks

Song sparrow

Bufflehead

A visit to the Wye Delta (where the Yakima and Columbia Rivers meets) gave me an opportunity to survey some very different countryside...and see some very different birds from the ones I see daily at home.  I was particularly enchanted with the song sparrow, which sang loudly and long, from a perch in which he was clearly visible. 

 

On my way out, heading towards a couple of meetings, I saw the bufflehead.  They're quite common in this area, but the brightness of the feathers this time of year, and the wonderful reflection on the river captured my attention.  And it's hard to beat that stark black and white contrast in the sunshine...especially when there is a small patch of color thrown in for good measure.  He looks dressed up and ready for the prom!

February 26, 2013 - Spring Is So Close!

Crocus in the garden

Peony sprout

Along the river

Things are beginning to bud

 

Red winged blackbird...and starlings

Today began with lots of sunshine, no wind, and reasonable temperatures.  By late afternoon the clouds had come in, but it was still pleasant and not windy!  (It was very windy yesterday.)  I wandered outside later in the afternoon and inspected the garden.  The forsythia will be blooming soon, and tulips and daffodils are coming up everywhere. 

 

Then I drove out to the river and wandered along the edge.  There were lots of mallards, coot, quail, red-winged blackbirds, robins, and starlings.  No, I don't much care for the starlings...but today they were co-existing quite politely with the red-winged blackbirds.  It looks and sounds like spring outside - constant bird calls, vivid colors, buds beginning to swell.  It's all very hopeful!  And the anticipation of what is yet to come is half the enjoyment.

February 24, 2013 - Winter Isn't Far Away...

just about seventy-five miles north of us, it seems.  (And perhaps about fifteen or twenty miles further east.)  We drove to Spokane today to visit a good friend who is hospitalized.  The first portion of the drive is practically due north - after that, we turn just about due east.  And the further we traveled, the colder it got, and the colder it looked.  All the photos today are taken out the car window...

On the return home, of course, we experienced the reverse, enjoying warming temperatures, signs of spring, and finally, sunny weather.  It definitely made us appreciate living where we do.  No objections to winter, really - I just prefer that it be a bit briefer than is experienced, as it turns out, not so far from home.

So I took a few more photos upon returning home...ahhhh...warmth, sun, (and a sun dog)almost spring!

February 23, 2013 - Why We Like Living by a Refuge

Territorial views...

Lots of mallards...

A tree full of robins...

Bald eagles...

and Great egrets, all for the viewing

and that's not counting all the various birds I didn't include, such a white-crowned sparrows, several kinds of gulls, Caspian terns, red-tailed hawks, harriers, sparrow hawks, and meadowlarks - all seen in a brief visit just across the street.

 

And the clouds!  The clouds today were incredible, shifting rapidly in the wind, opening windows of light, darkening and providing showers, but constantly altering both the view and the lighting of that view.  It was a delightful day for cloud watching.  And yes, it all finished up with yet another beautiful sunset.  "For the Giver, for the gift, praise, praise, praise!"

February 22, 2013 - More Like Winter, Again

I thought the sunset tonight was wonderful - warm, golden color, contrasted against the dark clouds.  And just enough glow on the clouds themselves to be...I don't know...hopeful, promising, encouraging, perhaps.  At any rate, yet another lovely sunset, and the close of a windy, wintry day.

At this point, the winds are up to over thirty miles an hour, and are expected to stay that way through the night.  It is still, in many ways, wild country we live in.  I watched a small dust storm forming off the hills across the river yesterday, and am sure more of the same is happening this evening.  I like that wildness - it reminds me that the world does not circle around me - always a good thing to remember.

February 21, 2013 - A Breezy Day

Today began cloudy, though not too cold.  The day's activities, including making up for some of the workout time I didn't get while caring for Patton, precluded spending much time out of doors.  But it didn't keep me from looking.  Through the clouds, the faintest rays of sun touched Jump-Off Joe, making it glow early this morning.  The effect was so lovely, so subtle, I knew I had no chance of capturing it with my camera lens.  So I chose to simply enjoy the play of light, while it lasted.

Later in the day, a brisk breeze brought in sunshine, then more clouds.  The river was whipped up into whitecaps, and all the birds that had been quietly sheltering in the lee of Foundation Island either flew off or found better shelter - probably on one of the many ponds or sloughs in the vicinity. 

And some good news today.  Though I still have a long way to go toward healing, slow progress is indeed being made.  Some days, the inside of the PT clinic is the most beautiful place I spend time - because each visit gets me a step closer to healing, to improved walking, to being able to pick up again those things I love so much (hiking, flower photography, rock hounding, kayaking, etc.) 

February 20, 2013 - Our Last Day with Patton

Sunrise and fog

Patton loves yellow flowers

Western meadowlark out back...

frightened off by a harrier, far too close!

Today was our last day together with Patton - his parents picked him up this evening.  The day began with a beautiful sunrise over a light fog.  Patton and I headed out back about mid-morning.  The crocus were in full bloom, and he again proved his fondness for yellow flowers, and managed to pick several blossoms before he was distracted.

 

Out back the birds were singing with great enthusiasm.  A western meadowlark flew from one sprinkler to another, calling back and forth to another meadowlark in another field.  The red winged blackbirds were also in full call, as were the mallards out front, on the river.  We then heard the sharp cry of a hawk - and almost everything went silent.  The meadowlark flew off as the harrier buzzed our back acreage - far too close for comfort, I'm sure.  (Though I really think he was scouting for whatever is making burrows back there.)

 

Thoughts on beauty that surrounds me...it isn't just the sights.  It also includes the sounds, the scents, the feel - even the taste, though it'll be a while until anything comes out of the garden.  No, I need to rethink that - I do have lots of cilantro, right now!  And the chives are sprouting, and the rosemary is in wonderful condition.  So, even beautiful tastes are possible in February.  Yet again, I am thankful!

February 19, 2013 - More River Play

Back into the river

I can see better from here...

King of the mountain!

Maple in full bloom

Red twig dogwood

Today began cloudy and cold, but the sun soon came out, and the weather rapidly improved.  By the time Patton and I got outside this morning, there were lots of sunbreaks.  By the time we went back out this afternoon, walking down to the river with a friend, it was almost comfortably warm.  (Just a light jacket needed.)  Patton, obviously, didn't mind either the temperature outside, nor the temperature of the river water.  He got in deeper, explored further, and generally had a wonderful time of it!

 

His rock climbing ability was quite amazing!  When he climbed on top of the first rock, we were surprised.  He quickly summited a second rock, and headed out for a third - but the water was too deep there for his taste, so he turned around.  He explored the shoreline both up and down river, and ignored us as best he could.

 

Returning home, the signs of spring become more and more obvious.  The maple is in full bloom, and the red twig dogwood is absolutely vivid, and beginning to bud out.  We now have lots of crocus in bloom (and Pattom keeps biting off the flower heads and spitting them out) and have even had a dandelion bloom.  Not long...not long...and the garden will again be my home!

February 18, 2013 - Winter Is Back!

Western meadowlark

Ready to explore Hood Park

Canadian geese on the Snake River

Into the reeds!

Duck families

Today was colder and cloudier than it has been - but there were encouraging sunbreaks on occasion.  The western meadlowlarks have been singing loudly every day, and the mallards have sorted themselves into couples.  So...even if the weather seems a bit more wintry, it's obvious that spring is on the way.

 

Patton had a wonderful time exploring the park.  The gravel brought in for the beach was nice and soft to walk on (something I appreciated, as well) and there were so many intriguing scents!  We found were a beaver (or some beavers) had been busy stripping the bark off a fallen tree.  We got to walk out on some fallen reeds, because the river was very low today.  And Patton got to watch the geese and the ducks at quite close range - these being adjusted to humans and their dogs. 

 

When we got home, I tried out the rototiller/dog combination.  Yesterday I'd used my small tiller - no problem.  Today I got out the Troy-built horse.  That was no problem, either.  Actually, I believe Patton thinks it was made for him.  He quickly found the soft dirt behind the tiller, and started running "puppy zoomies" all around the areas I'd tilled.  He even did a couple of "play bows" to the tiller!  So...no fear of machinery here - but no foolishness, either.  He didn't try to get under it, to bite at it, etc.  Just wanted to keep playing with it.  Right now, we have a very weary granddog.

Over and into the River

Initial river exploration

Getting brave!

But not that brave...

Today was our first full day of dogsitting.  Poor Patton had to spend some time alone as we spent time getting some chores done in town.  So, when we got home, we hiked out to the Columbia, and found a good access area.  At first he was a bit shy of the water, just checking it out with his nose, then putting a paw or two in.  Before long, he was walking along the edge.  Then he started getting a bit deeper - and finally, he headed out for a log.  The waves chased him back in, but not before he got chest deep.  Then he chased up and down the edge of the water, having a great time.  And we, his grandparents, had a great time, too.  I don't think he noticed the geese, ducks and eagles overhead - but we did.  Maybe eventually he will, too...

Overhead eagle...a juvenile

February 15, 2013 - A Visit from Our Granddog

Checking out the back yard

There must be something interesting here...

Ahhh!  The nose in the back acreage!

Our granddog, Patton, will be visiting us for five days.  He's a four month old chocolate lab, that was found near the fire station where my son works.  He now has a stable home, and after an evening with him, I can attest to his good character, common sense, and complete obedience.  O.K., the latter, not so much...but the kids are doing a great job with him, and he's quite responsive to commands. (And treats.)

 

Yet another beautiful day in February.  I love it when we have a string of days like this...time to get into the garden and get to work!  This weekend, weather permitting, we'll get some of the initial work done.  I look forward to seeing how the puppy responds to the rototiller.  So far, he's been interested, but not disturbed, by mechanical noises.  Now I just have to teach him not to chew on the roses.  If the deer can leave them alone, surely he can!

February 14, 2013 - Valentines all over!

Deer print in the garden

Barn owl in the rafters

Yet another sunset

Today was a most interesting day, photographically.  I thought I was going to publish photos of all the deer comings and goings out back in the grove.  We've got game trails, spots where they have bedded down for the night (indeed, maybe more "bedded down" areas in the grass than not) and we've got lots of new tracks. 

 

As I headed back into the house, I heard a few soft "thuds" over by the shop.  I went to look, and here was a barn owl, caught in the netted area under the shop overhang.  I have no idea how he got in - most small birds never make it in.  But however he found his way in, he was having no luck finding his way out.  So...I ripped out some of the carefully placed netting, so he could get loose.  Sigh...my husband spent a lot of time on that netting! 

 

But we couldn't leave a barn owl caught - especially when you get a good look at that heart-shaped face.  Hmmm - the deer print is heart-shaped, too.  God provided the valentines today, and topped it off with another beautiful sunset.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

February 13, 2013 - Ash Wednesday

Golden glow at sunset

Altar for Ash Wednesday

Marked as a learning diciple

Today is Ash Wednesday - the day we remember both our mortality (ashes to ashes, dust to dust) and the day we remember our call to discipleship (Repent, and believe the Gospel.)  It is, for me, a day of extreme beauty, richness, and possibility.  Extreme, because of what we are called to - a life that follows Jesus, even as far as the cross, reconciling with one another and with God through Jesus.  The richness is in the symbolism (our mortality and God's promise of immortality through the gift of the Gospel) which itself leads to repentance.  The possibility is in a life made new through that gospel.

 

For anyone who has read this who has not yet understood that my appreciation in the created order is also - indeed is primarily - an appreciation of the One who created all - you are now in on that secret.  I revel in being a part of the created order, made on the day when God declared all things to be "very good."  I also repent, and in repenting, or turning from my self-centered yearnings and strivings, find myself facing Calvary with Jesus.  I don't expect to be crucified - but I do expect that much that is precious to me will be revealed to be of little worth.  Thus, I will need to repent yet again, turn, and follow the One who leads me on level paths, through difficulties and joys, through weakness and strength.  Today, a day of repentance, thus becomes a day of joy and beauty. 

February 11, 2013 - As Things Begin to Sprout...

The first crocus in bloom

Tulips begin to sprout

A new rose bud

Yet another beautiful sunset over the river

Today I spent most of the afternoon outside, puttering in the garden.  Actually, it was a burn day, so I gathered up all the tumbleweed I could get my hands on and got the burn pile started - raspberry clippings, dried debris from the garden, corn stalks, etc.  It's a chore I enjoy - though chasing the tumbleweed and wrestling it out of the fenceline isn't top on my list of things to do...

 

So much is beginning to sprout.  There are tulips and daffodils coming up everywhere!  The trees are all pushing new buds, and the walnut trees were actually dripping sap from the cuts I made last week. 

 

And yet another gorgeous sunset.  (There was one last night, too.)  Are we having more of them this year, or am I just noticing them more?  I have no idea - but I also have no recollection of this much beauty, this persistently present over the river during the winter.  It has been a delight!