Monday, February 13, 2012

S. Grantham Rd., Monaghan Township, York County, Pennsylvania.  Snow and pond with goose
I expect it is more likely that I will run out of snow before I run out of snow photos to post. I’ve taken a lot of photos during the little snows that fell this past week. With warming on the way (after a brutally windy and cold weekend), an inch here and another there won’t last very long. The cold I don’t mind, but regular readers know how I feel about wind.

It’s a rare weekend when I don’t take at least a short hike somewhere around the mountain. This weekend was one of those. Between the ice and the wind, I was content not to venture out very much.

So I spent a lot of time inside the cabin, from where I could easily watch the feeder birds. For once this winter, I had a good turnout at my smorgasbord. No unusual species have partaken, but the two starlings trying to hang onto a tube feeder may be a first. Perhaps they were summer birds, taken aback at this unanticipated turn in the weather.

Deer were well hidden this weekend, likely hunkered down someplace protected from the wind. The only evidence of their presence was a double set of tracks walking down the length of the lane in front of the cabin.

Before the snow, I gathered some moss with a plan of making an indoor moss garden to brighten the winter browns. I’m not sure it will work taken this time of year. Normally, late fall, before the weather turns really nasty is a good time for that. The “garden,” is still a work in progress. More progress won’t result until the snow melts and the temperature warms at least a bit. Later this week should be fine. I’ll let you know how it goes.

7 comments:

Jeannette StG said...

Hopefully we'll see something of your moss garden! Beautiful snowy capture, Carolyn!

Carolyn H said...

Jeanette: If the moss garden works, you'll see it. If not, I'll have to wait until spring to start a new one!

Cathy said...

Love that picture! My snow didn't stay around :( I took a somewhat chilly walk on Saturday and was so annoyed that snow didn't stick around . Really wanted some snow pictures. Maybe next time.

Hope the garden works out sound interesting.

SHG said...

Carolyn: This winter you have treated us to some fantastic images. Thank you so much.

Pablo said...

the few times I've been out to my woods with any kind of snow on the ground, I noticed the deer tracks concentrated on the road rather than in among the trees.

Scott said...

Carolyn: I had one European Starling at my feeder over the weekend, too, but it stuck to the spillage on the ground, never trying (or figuring out) how to get on the hut-like platform feeder. Starlings are a rarity at my feeder (thank goodness).

Kali and I took a Sunday mid-afternoon walk at a local state park with a lot of agricultural fields. The cold wind howling across the fields was brutal--I think our eyeballs nearly froze. I don't blame you for staying indoors

Carolyn H said...

Cathy: Saturday wasn't too bad, weather-wise here, but I was busy doing other things. Sunday was simply not a fun outdoor kind of day.

Sam: Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying the photos. Always good to hear from you!

Pablo: I guess deer like to take the easy path just like anyone else.

Scott: I'm still trying to remember if I've ever had starlings in my feeders before, and I can't remember them. They are certainly prevalent enough out around the ski slopes (and always have been). So, were these two starlings simply smarter than the other ones? Or has something changed in the landscape that makes at least a few starlings more inclined to venture into the woods? I have no idea.