First Snowfall of the Year

Warm December So Far

December warmer than usual and no freeze yet. Rainfall has been heavy but dry for last several days. Lots of fog, lately, here on the mountain.  Shot below is a fogless view taken several minutes ago. Several red-legged frogs seen earlier this week.

 

Fall brings beautiful weather



 August and September very dry and hot.  Fall brings nicer weather and early fall colors. 

 

Red-Legged frog

Blue Darner dragonfly. Many appear in fall. Mating and depositing eggs.

 

Summer Finally Arrives!

 Summer finally arrived on July 5th. Has been a cold, wet spring. June was unusually cool and wet. We are accustomed to June being somewhat lousy weather here in western Oregon, but this year it out did itself. However, it is warm now and there is no better weather anywhere than the Pacific Northwest in summer. It is warm with cool nights and no humidity. There is a lot of color around the pond but not as much variety as we usually have. Seems many of the wildflowers, poppies, etc. that we've had in abundance in past years have failed to appear this year. A few photos folllow.

Sunrise over the pond on June 21 with Mt Adams in the background.

Deer visit...a regular occurance.

Water lily blooming nicely.

Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa)

Cardinal Meadow Hawk Dragonfly...common in summer, but in fewer numbers this year.

California Poppies in abundance.

Burr-reeds ( Sparganiaceae) are blooming and becoming thicker in the pond margin.

April Wet and Cool. New Pictures

Mallard Ducks visit pond. A pair are seen daily for last two weeks. The male shown here.

Red-legged frogs in pond. The eggs have all hatched and many tadpoles were seen for weeks. Most disappeared recently, suppose they have gone hiding.

Cattail flowers.  Favorite of humming birds and chicadees for nesting material.

Slough sedge flowers starting to bloom.

Cherry blossoms

 

Solomon seal begining bloom.

 

Dicentra beginning to bloom.

 

Trillium Parviflorum early blooms.

Record Rain for March

Record rainfall for March.  Month unusually cold as well.  Trilliums just starting to appear...late this year as is everything.

More Snow for Early Spring

8" snow fall for second day of spring.  Much more snow than normal for March.  Looking for some warm, snow free days to get things going.  The frogs have quit depositing eggs as the evenings are cold.  Seeing many salamader eggs, not sure exactly what species.  The cold weather isn't helping these creatures get on with their development this year.  



Snow Again in Mid March

Snow again about 6".  This is second for March.  Pond activity has slowed as cooler nights prevail.  Look forward to warmer weather as spring approaches. 

Snow for end of Feburary

About 6"  snow today to end the month of Feburary

Frogs continued with egg laying throughout the month.  They tend not to be adding many egg clusters when nights fall below 40deg.  Salamander eggs have been seen for last week or so.

Weather has been variable throughout Feburary.  Dryer than usual and colder towards end of month.





First Red-Legged Frog eggs for the season today.

Light Snow Mid January

Has been dry for January.  Light snowfall today. Some change expected. Pond ice for last two weeks.