The promised snowfall didn’t materialize yesterday (drat!), but the cold temperatures did make an appearance. This morning it was +3F and has warmed up to almost +10F. The sun is low over the horizon this time of year, and it is dark before 4 PM.
We took a drive down the road to the mailbox. The road is in the best condition in the winter; all the washboard has been smoothed out with packed snow and ice. There are two corners on the county road with a drop off on the right side as you head down the mountain. The snow plow has created a berm of snow a couple of feet high, protecting cars from sliding off the road.
The dropoff on the upper corner is at least 100 feet straight down
The second corner has a more gradual drop off and people use this slope for sliding down on sleds. The main road switches back and forth and you can see the lower portion of the road at the bottom of the picture.
Sledding hill for adrenalin junkies
The river is freezing over now. Another few days of these temperatures, and it will freeze completely across. The power of the river’s current never allows it to freeze completely, there are always holes here and there for American Dippers and Common Mergansers to ply their trade. The larger holes, such as this one, allow the Bald Eagles which congregate along the river corridor to take advantage of the Whitefish which live in the river. The holes will close up and the Eagles will have to move south for a couple of months.
Bald Eagle fishing hole, looking north from the bridge
Another view of the fishing hole.
Bald Eagle fishing hole
The snowfall accumulated on patches of ice in the river, making some interesting ridges and textures in the ice.
Snowy ridges, the start of a new glacier?
Granite mountains overlook the river, and Bighorn Sheep have been reintroduced in these mountains. A herd of 30-40 are seen regularly on this hillside.
Bighorn Sheep frequent this hillside
There is always something to see within a couple of miles drive from our house. On the way home we saw a Pine Grosbeak enjoying some frozen berries at the top of a large bush.