Late Winter Morning

February is traditionally a "big snow" month but we are ending the month with little net gain.

The month started cold and clear, then, after my surgery, morphed into a couple days of snow and then rain-and-snow mixed.

Lately, it has been mild and feeling like Spring.

Snowfall

February is normally a "big snow" month for us here on the Kenai Peninsula but so far the month has been clear and cold.

Until today.

Snow has been falling all day--fine flakes that are easily sculpted by the wind into sinuous shapes.



The wind that piles drifts around the doors has stripped the trees of their seasonal flocking, leaving them looking spring-time bare.



The drift along the outside of the house contrasts with the comfortable green of the houseplants safe inside.

Daybreak

Zero degrees and a light wind from the north opens the day on Kachemak Bay.

Sunday at the Dump

We don't tell the tourists, but most Alaskans know that the dump is the best place to find eagles this time of year...

I stopped by the dump on my way home from town this afternoon and snapped a few pictures of the eagles and crows (and even a solitary seagull) eating at the Borough's table.

The Last Day of January

Late January Sun

I felt well enough today to stand around outside for a while as Denny worked on some projects. The movement and fresh air felt good after being inside for so long. The afternoon temperature was in the mid-teens. My feet got cold because I had taken the felt liners out of my boots. I bought new liners last year and the boots have been too tight ever since. I may have to wear them with heavy socks in the future because although I hate having cold feet, I hate having cramped toes even more.



As the sun climbs higher in the sky with each day's transit, we are beginning to feel some warmth from it. Water was dripping off of the roof in places and under the blue sky, the snow took on a warm softness.




As the long shadows indicate, the sun is still far to the south even at midday.

The Chevy pickup--parked in the shadows on the north side of the house--wore a beard of icicles.



Click for larger views...

Sunrise on Snow

I looked out the back window and noticed that the snow was pink...



When I went outside, I could see why....



It was a glorious, ephemeral moment in time.



Every day the sky puts on a show for free.

Click for larger