Frenemy Update: where did they all come from?

On April 19, 2018April 18, 2018 By Mike and Christy16 Comments

Well…we started the winter with one Red Squirrel which we aptly dubbed our frenemy. Now it seems that there is a squirrel in every tree. Which is not exactly as nice as a chicken in every pot.

Although it is fun to watch the daily battles for territory as one squirrel makes a quick move across the yard to the tree another squirrel is occupying and the ensuing skirmish with several squirrels running rings around the tree. I cannot tell them apart enough to see who wins and looses each battle. Which is kind of like watching a sporting event but missing the ending. I have considered trying to paint each one a different color just for reference but decided that would not bee too nice and radio collar and gps tracking are better left for more scientific pursuits.

Anyway with spring comes more red squirrels, and thus more Frenemies and given their ever increasing numbers things are moving more towards the -en than the -frien side of things these days and yes they are cute…at times.

Watching snow melt

On April 18, 2018April 18, 2018 By Mike and Christy5 Comments

Although we have had a nice bevy of spring snows this year the sun rapidly comes out afterwards and thus with each passing snow comes a quick melt down. On a recent walk we took the time to sit and watch the snow melting over a creek which by the way is better than watching paint dry or water boil especially given the fact that “a watched pot never boils”.

Tracks left in snow

On April 14, 2018April 14, 2018 By Mike and Christy4 Comments

A pristine track walked after a late spring snow.
My only regret was the tracks left in snow.

Spring Snowscapes

On April 13, 2018April 8, 2018 By Mike and Christy8 Comments

Spring snow enhanced by spring skies were a feast for the eyes.

Along the roads the snowscapes abound. The landscape will soon be free of white and grass will start to grow.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Along Specimen Creek

On April 9, 2018April 9, 2018 By Mike and Christy19 Comments

A late winter ski up Specimen Creek in Yellowstone national Park.

This area was burned by the owl fire in 2007 and a ski up the creek leads you past the burnt zone. A stark yet beautiful area of burnt trees provided contrast on an overcast chilly morning.

Leaving the burnt zone behind there are open meadows and thick lodgepole pine forest which follow the creek slowly onward and upward to the mountains beyond.