There's a definite difference in the air at seasonal transition time, especially as our North Idaho winters reluctantly and slowly give way to spring.
On some days, from out of the blue comes the most remarkable long-lasting blast of sunshine and warmth.
Signs of winter still abound, but patches of spring provide sudden oases for soaking up the radiance and for gleefully welcoming vibrant living color which days before was hidden beneath layers of snow.
In our neighborhood yesterday, the crows showed up to check out their usual assigned spots in the west yard AND to check out the bird feeders.
They did not stay long, but surely they'll be seen in those areas on a pretty regular basis from now on.
Rings of green, covered with pine cones and needles are gradually growing beneath the trees in our yard.
And, when the sun's rays provided both light and warmth to those spots, I chose my rake from the row of snow shovels outside the garage and walked atop frozen snow across the yard.
As I raked up needles, stopping occasionally to imbibe in spring air and think about how this scene was gonna look in a few weeks, my buddy Liam found himself a comfortable spot to soak up his doggie sun.
As I told Bill, taking the rake out there is probably pretty futile at this point in February, but it's a feel-good thing.
Surely more cones will fall, and another layer of needles will appear, but at least I've gotten a start.
About the time, Bill came around the house yesterday to the front yard and announced that he was taking garbage to the dump and then checking out Grouse Creek for snowshoeing, I said I'd probably go for a quick drive with my camera.
You can read Bill's latest outdoor story by clicking the link.
You can read Bill's latest outdoor story by clicking the link.
So, Bill went his way, and I, mine.
My route took me through Selle Valley and Oden and on to Pack River Flats on HWY 200, where I parked the car and walked along the shoulder of the road.
My oh my, some of those cars and trucks zip by quickly.
I had two concerns while walking and looking for fun shots: stay far enough off the road from those fast cars and don't trip on the green netting occasionally sticking up above the surface of the shoulder fill.
I survived both, walking about an eighth of a mile and collecting a few nice shots.
Warm sun on a February day suggested spring, but logs frozen in place in a shaded cove along the Pack River indicated it's a while yet.
After leaving that area, I moved on, only to be trailed by a motorcycle and some other cars, so with safety in mind, I drove past Trestle Creek to a couple of wide spots overlooking majestic and stunning Lake Pend Oreille.
Have I ever described our local priceless natural jewel like that before?
Actually, it's pretty much impossible to conjure any more unused superlatives for describing this huge body of fresh water surrounded by magnificent mountains that unites us all and keeps us firmly attached to this area.
So, no matter how long we've lived here, we tend to be repetitive in our amazement toward the phenomenal geologic feature called Lake Pend Oreille.
At my roadside stops, I saw green grass. Ahhhh!
Actually, we see a variety of less-than-subtle hints of spring any time we drive 15 miles to the Bonner County Banana Belt in the Hope area.
Buds on some of the bushes looked as if they could be coerced into popping open with just a little more of that brilliant sun.
After the roadside stops, I took one of my most favorite mini drives, a short road above the old highway which is above the much used HWY 200.
Waterfalls and pretty foliage and funky stuff along with jaw-dropping views of the lake. artfully interrupted by huge tree trunks, make that drive well worth the 15 mph speed limit, especially with no cars trailing behind.
I was pretty satisfied with the photo ops by the time I drove down off that hill to the old highway, so I headed home, with a sense of euphoria that this day had given me a personal jump start on spring.
BUT, wait!!
The best was yet to come.
My route home took me down Jacobson Road, which connects East Shingle Mill and Colburn-Culver Roads in the Selle Valley.
Looking ahead, I could see a row of people and some unknown creatures a ways down the road.
Maybe it's kids just getting off the bus and walking home, I first thought. Maybe those are dogs walking with them.
Nope, no dogs. These were goats cavorting with their peeps who were out for a family walk in the sunshine.
Yup, I met Merry and Pippen (the goats) along with Ann and Lars and three of their children who live at Birch Creek Farm.
I don't know who was having more fun: the goats or the peeps.
Twas obvious Merry and Pippen were feeling their endorphins as they bounced and bucked and whirled round and round and even happily issued me an personal greeting.
What a treat on what had already been an uplifting afternoon!
As usual, days like yesterday are much appreciated and truly much needed therapy to help us through winter.
Signs of spring definitely appeared around the neighborhoods yesterday, but we who've lived here know not to get too excited.
We also know that when such days come, we'd better not waste the opportunities they bring.
Happy Tuesday. I hear crows outside my window.
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