Winter's End

Mark Twain once said, "In the spring, I've counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours." 

 The last weeks we've had about the same amount of different kinds all spread out! Athena area went from stunning sunny days where blooms were popping out like crazy, to snow and below 30 temps. I was concerned for my flowers and crouched in snowflakes to photograph them on Friday. The night photos were beautiful!

 In the morning, it wasn't quite as thrilling. I picked a few of the fallen, but figured they were a loss.

 Even Moses came off the porch for a minute, this is about as far as he wandered!!!!! Less than 2 feet from the last step.

 Everyone on Sunday was starving. This guy wasn't impressed Jon was photographing him while snacking! The squirrel decided to ignore Jon, as usual. There was also one under the front yard bird feeder, we think that is the female.We had so many different birds. The usual junco and assorted finches, but we even had a juvenile red wing blackbird! Those don't often visit. The suet feeder was hung, but they aren't as interested in that yet. Steve saw a round of robins--a bunch of robins is called a round--huddled up with fluffy feathers. The feeders aren't as handy for the bug eaters. Thankfully, the snow is starting to melt a bit. Hoping the feathered friends will be able to find something to suit their appetites out there.

With the melting, my front yard daffodils are starting to perk up. However, the backyard ones next to the house are not as happy looking. 

 The flowers are along the house, which normally is festive. However, they are also under the edge of the roof and  the ice and snow fall right on top of them. Many of the flowers I clipped and brought in to 'melt' in the sink. Some I had to leave because they were so encased, they broke when I tried to free even a portion of the plant. Others were under the snow and frozen daffs on top, those I carefully unearthed and brought inside.

 You can see how tattered some of the blooms are, but you can also see how, especially on the bottom right one, the ice is melting away. I have several vases of blossoms now! The one in bud is open and the house smells delightful! Although, that may be why Jon and I have runny noses!!!

 Last Thursday I took pictures of a giant apricot tree across the road. Sunday, the tree was still white. But not a speck of pink could be seen. I'm not betting there will be much of a fruit crop this season.

Our temps are improving during the day, night has them in the 20's. Most of the rest of the bulbs are green stems or leaves. This is good, tulips are fragile and don't manage in cold like the daffodils.

snow squirrels

Not much wildlife in a city, even a small one. However, we do have entertaining squirrels! Three arrived at the feeder this morning, but when I finally decided to try to capture some with the camera, only two were in the vicinity. Eventually one scampered up to the feeder and the other stayed on the snowy ground picking up the dropped kernels. 

 It didn't matter how much snow was falling, these critters were intent on feeding. This one was so focused, I wondered if it had gone into mini hibernation!

It finally moved.

 After a bit, the one on the ground skittered up and there was a quiet skirmish for the corncob. The first one climbed further into the locust and the other claimed the fairly cleaned off cob. It wasn't quite as graceful, although I give it points for agility!

I'm hoping Jon will take some winter photos for me. I took these through the windows, Jon is more sneaky and patient. However, my February baby is not exactly thrilled with snow and winter when it needs worked in. He needs to take some time to play with the weather and his camera. He always ends up with amazing pictures! 

Birthday and What Not-

Jon retrieved all the parts to Steve's birthday present and left dad to assemble it while he went off to work again. Steve said it wasn't too difficult to put together, in spite of having limited directions! Moses managed to hop up into it (he's getting older and it is harder for him to move.), so as thought, the cat is very pleased. Can't you tell? 

Steve likes it, too! I purchased it off of Amazon from Best Choice Products. I ordered the stand and the hammock. Steve said it is still needs some work to make it tighter, but otherwise, I think I chose well! 

Jon also tried it out. (he was after starlings and it didn't work quite as well as he'd hoped)

While out and about, I was in line at Walmart and the lady in front of me was a bit flustered. It appears everyone comes to Kenai and fishes during July. I think she said this is Captain Andy Hillstrand. While at Home Depot, I parked next to a truck with the ornament below on the hood. (The lady inside was sleeping, so I snagged a picture of it) 

I also discovered Tillamook ice cream is reaching out in flavors. I didn't get one, but I was definitely impressed! 

 I purchased suet cuz the young woodpeckers were searching all over for something easy to snack on. This wasn't up for long before a couple landed on the feeder. I think this juvenile was with a parent (on the other side).

This incident actually happened earlier in the day. I didn't want to start out with carnage, though! I was in my room and mom called me to say a big bird was on the pallets with a duck. I ran upstairs and managed to take this one very bad photo before using my binoculars and seeing the duck just might be still alive. I knew it was a grown duck, which means there would be some defenseless babies out there. I ran down to see if I could scare it off. I did. The predator lifted the adult duck like it was a mouse and sailed off into the trees. I am pretty sure it is a goshawk. Unfortunately, most bird books and photos are much better and don't show the topside of the bird. I downloaded a bird app from the Cornell Lab (birding institute), but it wasn't much help. You post the photo and then it chooses a bird. I was told this was an American Crow. When I searched on my own, I read the goshawk has a long tail, is fast, can take down larger prey, and plucks the birds it kills. 

 The pallet and water were covered in feathers. Definitely a plucking situation. I don't know which mom was taken, I'm sure the ducklings are gone now. I've not seen many out there on the water. It has been 24 hours and nature is not kind when it comes to trying to survive.

Steve was going to drive the Mercury to the parade for Caledonian Days. I won't get any photos since Jon is probably driving a different vehicle (the fire truck). Steve was wishing someone could drive the Land Cruiser, but two drivers and 3 rigs means one vehicle gets to stay home! The were planning to take the Mercury to DQ on Friday. If so, it will be the first time for Jon to ride in it! 

Good things!

The rain makes the birds braver than usual. Even the chickadees were fluttering around the feeder. They didn't get too close to mum, but the nuthatches were great fun. 

THIS was not a good thing, but it is sort of funny. I went out searching for this paper several times on Sunday. Every hour, I went and looked and couldn't find it. Do you see it????? It is wrapped in orange. The newspaper folk seem to not know where the box is. It has only been inside it once in the last week! 

 THIS is the VERY BEST THING EVER! Yes, I am shouting. I am so excited to have a library card for Kenai again!!!

 I have several of this author in Oregon. AND the ones next to  her books--Peck. I was glad to see Alaskan stories have a state motif on them. I can't remember the authors of all the ones I read as a teen!!!!

 This is one of my favorite authors. I was so glad to see some of her work was still around. I'm looking for another one by her. I also have a book coming via the mail from a different part of Alaska. I do adore books!!!!!! (in case anyone wondered!)

These are from Oregon. Jon and Steve are turning this old horse trailer into a place to store firewood and some other things. 

Jon's newest toy. He calls it Bob, which reminds me of his grandpa. Rod used to call white cats 'Whitey' and black ones 'Blackie' and so on! 

Jon is coming to visit Alaska this next week. More updates as we get them! 

 

Hiking with Rifles--SUCCESS!

The boys started going out with Dad and Grandpa when they were small. Those weekends of deer season in Eastern Oregon still remain some of their fondest memories. Next year, we hope Tony will be home to hunt with Steve and Jon-

 The guys left near dark on Wed night to head to the ranch. There was a beautiful full moon, fresh from the eclipse that morning, welcoming them back.

 They woke to see the pale orb resting in a sea of morning blue and got themselves ready for another day of hiking with rifles.

 Which was pretty successful! The story (as I understand it) started with a discussion over hiking or driving. Jon wanted to hike, dad wanted to drive (there are a few years between them....). They drove, but  not for long. Jon saw some bucks, put together his home made shooting sticks (made from PVC pipe), and with one shot, took his deer out.

 Steve left the rig with Jon, who was working on his deer, and hiked a ways. A long ways. A very long ways. Jon watched him from where he was sitting with his scope. They called before 9 to say they had two deer and by noon they were getting ready to hang them in the shop. (it did take a while for Steve to get his deer out of the grassy canyon)

Because they have so much food (I made them a LOT of snacks!),

 they are going back up to camp for another night. And to look for the lost shooting sticks. (Steve borrowed Jon's creation to get his deer). Jon's pretty sure they are in the canyon they hiked in last weekend. Steve's not so sure.