Unusually mild weather for January and February has left the feeling of sping in the air (not to tempt fate - we could still get a good winter blast before it's all done with). Still, it has been good to feel some warmth in the sun and to watch (sympathetically, of course) the poor folks in eastern Canada (and USA) enduring one blizzard after another.
The snow on the Slocan rail trail has receded, but there is still barely enough to go for our almost daily cross-country ski. On this day in early February there was a lovely hoar frost on the trees and bushes.
Needle frost on a shrub with the Slocan River in the background.
The resident ducks are beginning to pair up in anticipation of the breeding season, like these Barrow's Goldeneyes in the Slocan River.
Late afternoon sun on Mount Connor (left) and Siwash Mountain (right) with the Slocan RIver in the foreground.
There have been a lot of northern flickers around our place lately. It might have something to do with the suet we put our for them.
Also saw this varied thrush, one time only, out in our yard.
Reflections in the Kootenay River near Selkirk College.
We were noticing a lot of empty mussel shells along the banks of the Columbia River by Selkirk College. Last year we watched some otters diving for mussels, so these are possibly the leavings of an otter's meal.
A very red Oregon Grape plant.
A belted kingfisher is looking for his next meal while perching on the powerlines that cross the Columbia from Castlegar to Selkirk College.
Beavers have been active in the wetland area near the Kootenay Canal, chewing off alder, willow and cottonwood saplings and then dining on the bark.
When they are done they leave the debarked stems in the shallows where they enjoyed their meal.
Lichens growing on the trunk of an older birch tree.
This dead birch has lost it's bark and the organisms of decay have etched intricate patterns into the wood.
For a few days there were three bald eagles - two adults and this juvenile - in the cottonwoods along the rail trail.
Reflections in the Slocan.
Green stuff! These plants growing in a little streamlet near the Kootenay Canal must be protected from the frost by the water. It's a sure sign that the seasons are about to roll over, right Pup?
- Did you say roll over? I can do that!
- Good dawg!
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