Spring’s arrival brought more than just the frogs’ song (though that took a hiatus during the last snowfall), the ducks, geese and herons have also returned to the pond near our home. This year, a pair of beavers also moved in and was great fun to watch, until our aspen trees started disappearing. Literally disappearing, as in they were there one day, and gone the next. Not just on the ground – gone. As much I liked the critters, I don’t have a great many aspen trees to spare, so we had them relocated.

There have been a few other unusual visitors as well, like the bufflehead ducks my neighbor saw, and some other diving ducks I was unable to identify, even with my bird book. Diving ducks are fun to watch because they disappear under the water and stay down longer than you expect. Just when you start to wonder where they went, they pop up like a cork. However, the most exciting visitors (hopefully residents) are the pair of wood ducks. What a treat to see these handsome birds. Since they nest in trees, we hope they’ll spend the summer.

Now that the weather has evened out and the snow has stopped falling every few days, I hope to catch more glimpses of other migrating birds. You never know what you’ll see this time of year as birds move to the summer grounds, so keep your binoculars and bird book handy. Sometimes you may hear a bird but not be able to see it, visit the National Audubon Society website to listen to bird calls; you may be able to identify it that way, http://www.audubon.org/bird/bird_resources.html#sound.

Also, frog song is flourishing in ponds, lakes, and streams. If the frog’s song sounds like running your thumb along a plastic comb, it’s a chorus frog. If the croaking is deeper and more guttural, it’s probably a leopard frog.

Old juniper in Arches

Moab is in southeastern Utah, close to both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, and right on the Colorado River. We stayed at a campground north of town with a view of Arches and the La Sal Mountains. We were very happy to be outside of town since Easter weekend coincided with the annual Jeep Jamboree this year, so Moab was pretty packed. However, the parks weren’t tremendously crowded. And people willing to hike, like us, were able to get away from the most groups of people.

Arches National Park is fairly small in comparison to most parks we’ve visited. There’s really just one main road through the park with most hikes short and close to the road. Since the soil is so fragile, walking off the paths is strongly discouraged, though we noted footprints of many offenders. Two longer hikes I’d strongly recommend are Devil’s Garden and Tower Arch. Devil’s Garden is at the furthermost end of the road in the park. There is a 7.2-mile loop that you can do, but most people do only part of it, just up far enough to look at a few arches and then they leave the way they came. However, if you do the whole loop, you’ll have long stretches of trail to yourself. Less people meant more lizards, which our daughter appreciated. Coming from lizard-less Custer, they are rather a novelty.

The other trail, which we had nearly to ourselves, was Tower Arch, located on an unmarked road in the northwestern part of the park. This area is rarely frequented by most tourists, while it’s on the map, the road has no sign and is gravel, hence, most folks aren’t willing to drive on it. It was my favorite hike of the trip, quiet and fabulously scenic. 

In addition to hiking and taking photos, there was a lot to learn about the geology of the area. The primary rock types are Entrada and Navajo Sandstone. Entrada is the rosy rock while the Navajo is light tan; together they look like a layer cake.

Thunderstorm over Canyonlands

It was a fun, but fast, trip; we all agreed it had been too long since our last one. Our daughter fell in love with the desert and is eager to go back. Both my husband and I were gratified to see that we have raised a girl who was happy to go make-up and hair-appliance free for a few days and who was interested in the rock formations and lizards, not bored or disgusted. It was a great way to start our spring.

I know, this weather has got everybody down, including me. Another snow day from school, more shoveling, and bad roads, same old, same old. Did I mention more shoveling? Since spring-like weather is eluding us for the time being, I decided to give in this weekend and enjoy a couple more winter activities. In addition to some excellent sledding with my daughter, I tried snowshoeing for the first time.

First of all, it’s not as easy as it looks. It takes some coordination to get going, but once you get a rhythm, you can make good time. What astonished me was how easy it was going over very deep snow; I didn’t sink at all. Walking on top of hip-deep snow was pretty cool, especially since I wouldn’t have been out there at all if I hadn’t been wearing the snowshoes. They allowed me to take a walk when I would have otherwise been stuck in the house. Snowshoeing is an excellent way to view wildlife because it’s nearly silent; I was able to see deer, rabbits and many birds with minimal disturbance. It may have been my first attempt at snowshoeing, but it won’t be the last.

Now please excuse me while I go shovel the walk again.

Today is a day of balance, when hours of light and dark are equal, the vernal (spring) equinox. We will have 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark, pushing onward toward our longest day of the year in June. While there are probably snowstorms yet in store for us, at least winter is over on the calendar.

 

As I write this, I can hear bluebirds and red wing blackbirds calling outside. While I didn’t catch a glimpse of a flicker woodpecker yesterday, today one is busy pecking at the suet cake. A couple of weeks ago, just a few migratory birds could be seen here and there, now the skies are full of their song. After a long, cold winter, spring has finally returned.

 

It’s easy to see why ancient peoples so revered this day, this lengthening of daylight hours; they were grateful for it. What a relief is must have been to know that the sun had returned, to see the snow melting, to know another summer would come. No one culture can claim exclusivity over equinox traditions, so enamored were people all over the world with the warming of the Earth. Lighting bonfires, and interestingly, offering eggs to the gods and goddesses or dead ancestors, were common rites throughout ancient Europe and the Middle East.

 

Celebrating the arrival of spring is a time-honored tradition, what’s important is acknowledging the day, the change of seasons. The forecast for today is glorious, so at least spend some time outside in the sun listening to the birds and enjoying the lengthening daylight.

Yes, there are still 20 official days of winter left, and actual winter can last weeks longer than “official” winter, but still, it’s undeniable that spring is coming. The past few days, we plunged deeply back into winter, but today’s temperatures in the 40s had me disappearing outside for hours, hiking around in the sun, hearing the mud squish under my boots.

 

In preparation for spring’s arrival, I have taken care to keep my birdfeeders full as birds begin their northward migration. The mountain bluebirds should be arriving soon, so I cleaned out their houses a couple of weeks ago. I’ve also completed my seed orders so that I can sow some seeds indoors this month.

 

The turkeys have begun gobbling, letting us know that nature’s calendar is changing. And today my daughter came rushing into the house and excitedly drug me onto the front porch to listen to geese nearby. We couldn’t see them, but they were fairly close. Now, for some of you, you’ll have geese all year, but to us, the arrival of the honkers is always a landmark event.

 

Sure, we’re for a few storms and bouts of cold weather yet, but there is light at end of the tunnel called winter.

February second is Groundhog Day in the United States, and we wait in anticipation to see if chubby Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow or not. Of course, the shadow means six more weeks of winter, while no shadow forecasts an early spring. Though Phil is located back east in Pennsylvania, I always cross my fingers for a cloudy day. Though spring is still far off at 43 - 44 degrees north latitude, I’m ready for longer days and warmer temperatures.

 

Groundhog Day is rooted in German traditions surrounding Candlemas Day, which is the day half-way between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Europeans would take stock of their candle inventory and livestock feed to see if they’d have enough to get them through until spring. German people added animal weather-forecasting to the day by paying attention to hedgehogs and badgers. When German immigrants settled in present-day Pennsylvania, they continued this tradition, using groundhogs instead, thus the birth of Groundhog Day.

 

In addition to groundhogs, there are other harbingers of spring. Today I saw some pine siskins at my feeder, and they haven’t been around since late fall. According to my bird book, they could winter here, but they’ve been absent until today, so I figure we must be at least at the point where we can start thinking about spring. And in five to six weeks, the mountain bluebirds will return, which means spring truly is imminent. They always show up here within the first 10 days of March.

Maybe it’s not time to break out the flip flops just yet, but if we pay attention, we can see that winter won’t last forever.  

 

 

If you were lucky late this afternoon, you may have caught the sun’s finale for the day. I caught it during my run, and it was camera-worthy (not that I had one handy). It started out with a streak of peach behind a large granite formation, and progressed into an orange-raspberry-sherbet-dreamsicle affair. By the time I was on my final mile, it slid into a mauve-deepening-into-aubergine.

 

Sunsets are one of nature’s most spectacular events, and we often take them for granted, not appreciating true beauty right there in front of us. So if you missed today’s, take heart, you’ll have another opportunity tomorrow.

Sometimes even wildmoms have to stay indoors, but what do you when the temp is below zero and the wind is blowing? Bake cookies.

The weather has been pretty challenging lately, but I try to take advantage of the nice days when they pop up and make do with the rest. Plenty of good books to read, games to play and Christmas movies on TV have helped. Today we baked oodles of cookies, and hopefully tomorrow will be nice enough to have a fire in the fire ring.

This is the time of year when having a cold weather bag in the car is important. With the frigid temps we’ve had lately, it’s important to dress appropriately. Take warm clothes with you, including a hat, gloves and sturdy footwear. Flip-flops are not not safe; cars do break down, things happen, be prepared. And if you plan to travel, remember to tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back. Please be safe this holiday season.

If you hadn’t already, this first blizzard probably prompted you to dig out those hats, gloves and boots. Once your back recovers from shoveling, you’ll have time to think about all the fun outdoor opportunities winter presents. Though we often associate winter with the drudgery of shoveling and cleaning up the snow we track into the house, there are enjoyable activities for you and the kids.

 

Sledding is, of course, top of the list. Maybe this first blizzard is an indication that we’ll have plenty of sledding weather this winter. When I was a kid, I remember sledding from November through March (or even April if we got a spring storm). However, my own daughter has had far fewer opportunities since we just didn’t have enough snow for several years. Sledding is inexpensive and a fabulous way to spend family time together in the winter. Dogs love sledding too!

 

Don’t discount winter hikes. You think you know the views of the Black Hills, but areas look different under a blanket of snow. The keys to enjoying a winter hike are to dress in layers; wear a hat as well as hiking boots with a good sole; take a walking stick if you have one, it can be helpful in keeping your footing; and avoid areas that can be dangerous in winter such as trails with steep drop-offs or in areas that are remote or closed off in winter. In addition to the extra clothing you should wear, take the rest of you would take on a summer hike – first aid kit, water, snacks, flashlight, etc. Remember that some Black Hills highways like the Needles Highway do not have winter maintenance and may even be closed. Also, be sure to tell someone where you’re going, and when you’ll be back. Plan for the early arrival of dusk – you don’t want to be an hour from the car at 5 p.m. When hiking in the winter it makes sense to take trails you’re familiar with already.

 

If you don’t feel up to a full-fledged hike, shorter walks near your home can be great of fun for you and the kids. Everything looks different in the winter, and sounds different after a snow. Looking for animal tracks in the snow is exciting for kids – mouse tracks are especially cute. For these shorter excursions, you can pack a thermos of hot chocolate and a “winter picnic.” Kids love picnics no matter the season.

 

If you have a fire pit or chimenea, stock up on firewood so you can roast marshmallows and hot dogs all winter. Campfires are magical in the winter; they’re almost more fun in the winter than summer because you appreciate the heat so much more!

 

Lastly, don’t forget to get those skates sharpened! I know the ice won’t be ready for quite a while yet, but having the skates ready will get you out on the ice faster when that time arrives.

 

Winter is here, might as well embrace it!

Today I ran six miles on the Mickelson Trail, and it was a glorious day despite what many people perhaps thought about the cloudy, damp weather. The trail north of Custer is quite sheltered from the wind with an abundance of aspen trees alongside it, all dropping their golden leaves. Running with the aspens tall and white beside the trail and the leaves drifting down, it was like running through a Robert Frost poem.

                                                                                       

The leaves were damp from last night’s rain; I could smell the quintessential aroma of autumn, fallen leaves. It’s hard to conjure that smell in April or July, but come October, one whiff and you know what season it is. Add the faintest touch of wood smoke, and you have perfection.

 

What is it about fall that’s so nostalgic? The smell or sound of fallen leaves triggers a sensory memory for many people; just as much as evergreens at Christmas or fresh grass in spring. Fall can be depressing for people who always want sunshine and 70 degrees – but they can always move to Florida. Fall can be invigorating, but not if you spend every moment of every day indoors (and no, walking from the car to the front door does not count). Raking leaves, gathering pine cones, and filling bird feeders are all activities that you can do outdoors in the fall. Experiencing the change of seasons is one of the gifts of living here.

 

October

O hushed October morning mild,

Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;

Tomorrow’s wind, if it be wild,

Should waste them all.

The crows above the forest call;

Tomorrow they may form and go.

O hushed October morning mild,

Begin the hours of this day slow.

Make the day seem to us less brief.

Hearts not averse to being beguiled,

Beguile us in the way you know.

Release one leaf at break of day;

At noon release another leaf;

One from our trees, one far away.

Retard the sun with gentle mist;

Enchant the land with amethyst.

Slow, slow!

For the grapes’ sake, if they were all,

Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,

Whose clustered fruit must else be lost –

For the grapes’ sake along the wall.

            By Robert Frost