Galloping Spring

1 fp and mistThings are moving quickly:  Spring is galloping along.  The mountains are no longer pristine white but streaked with rock.2 orange tree sunriseSummer skies are so different from winter ones.3 summer storm light

4 morning wire lightI posted this next picture in the previous entry.  Signs of spring are not obvious much yet,5 drab view from bluff…until you look closely.6 aspens

7 birchSometimes we wonder if we are going to get green leaves before June.  This year, they are a month early.

Dandelions are out.10 dandelionsAs are the very peculiar mistletoe flowers.9 mistletoe flowersThey make the rudimentary soopollallie flowers look almost normal.11 soopolallieThe first tiny violets are out.8 violetsAnd I have my first volunteers.  I have taught Jamie, Jordan and Myles to use a chainsaw, and they have been working hard cutting and hauling firewood for next winter.  I figured this was the best way for me to use three young muscular males.  Unfortunately, two of them are very left handed: the chain saw is not designed for lefties and my heart was in my mouth watching them work!jamie 2These nice dead beetle-killed trees were on a small hill surrounded by ditches.  The ditches were completely dry,  was impossible to drive onto the hill without building a bridge.  So the guys’ most useful attribute was carrying the wood to a loading point.14 ossing woodAnd filling the woodshed.  (The blue staining of the sapwood is due to the fungus carried by the beetle.  The fungus blocks the tree’s plumbing so the beetles do not drown in sap.)16 beetle kill patternAfter four weeks I am finally eating bits of salad out of the box I built in the greenhouse.  It has a lid that shuts at night and a blanket that goes over the top on colder nights (temps are still -5C to -10C, even though they might be +20C in the afternoon.  My first attempt at growing tomatoes froze them instantly so I am bringing the next batch inside the house at night.)17 box in greenhouseFrom the south bluff, cut leafed fleabane and Jacob’s ladder are blooming.17a lowers from bluff

18 jladder

19 J ladder and fleebaneWhile I was sitting enjoying the flowers, a female mountain blue bird obligingly posed on a snag.20 bluebirdWestern toads are about (just as common as ever in this area.)22 toadAnd mourning cloak butterflies, this one looking pretty smart despite its hibernation.21 mourning cloakThe muskrat has quietly reappeared in the pond.22a muskratThe green leaves still have a long way to go, but the pussy willows are blooming fully.  (This one is female so not so yellow.)23 brown willow and sedge

24 willow flosAnd as soon as they blossom, the rufous hummingbirds arrive!25 hummer

6 thoughts on “Galloping Spring”

  1. You are way ahead of us with GREEN. We’re still in the brown stage. Loved seeing the dandelions – when ours finally start showing it’s a sign to put your honey supers on the hives. Beautiful pictures.

  2. I love the whole idea of the volunteer program you got going, Oh to be young and fancy free. To be doing something with progression , ideas and wanderlust. To travel and see the world & building these cabins, or milking a cow; it’s a wonderful thing to see the world through others eyes and dreams. I love the picture of the mountain blue bird, I love blue birds and have tried putting out a blue bird house to attract them here in Maine without success, but I’m always hopeful. Thanks for sharing your lovely pictures and you’re right spring is definitely galloping in where you are.

  3. So bizarre!
    On my PC, your pictures and notes are completely correct.
    On my ipad some of them are very wonky!
    No idea why.
    Anyway, as I said, love your posts Chris and outstanding photography.

  4. Hi Chris..
    Love the posts. I always look forward to them.
    I think some of your comments do not match the pictures and a couple of pictures are blank.
    Not sure if it’s just my iPad re pictures or not.
    Anyway Happy Spring to you.

Leave a Reply to Barbara Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badge