Al Larson Photography

I looked out of the window this morning and was greeted by a view of fresh snow. This is the 15th of February and I was wishing that Spring would be peeking around the corner. Seven Pine Siskins have recently arrived and seem to be taking the weather in stride. The coat hangers in the photo tend to deter jays so that smaller birds can feed peacefully. The hangers also make handy perches for the smaller birds

After a light snowfall yesterday I ventured outside with the camera. One never knows what may get in front of the lens. We have five wild turkey toms that visit us nearly every day. They have found where I scatter seeds for the smaller birds. On this day just enough snow had fallen on the wet frozen ground to record the passing of various wildlife. The soft white snow gave way to the dark ground below giving contrast to the tracks of our passing toms.

It was rather cool for our field trip on the last day in April. A light skiff of snow fell a couple days earlier but the temperature stayed low and there was very little melting. On the entire trip 53 species of birds were seen but the number of individuals was down. Our group of birders were good sports and a good time was had by all.

Eleven days earlier I checked all of the bluebird boxes on this route. A couple of the boxes had completed bluebird nests. The majority of the boxes displayed some bluebird activity, if only just a few blades of grass. After that the weather turned cold and stormy. The bluebirds seemed to have lost interest and little or no progress was evident in nest building. Barely a half dozen bluebirds were seen on the day of the field trip.

I am concerned that with this delay in nesting some birds may not nest and those that do may not finish raising their first brood in time to start a second. Broods produced in late summer have to contend with high temperatures, less insect prey and increased numbers of predators. This looks to be a repeat of last year’s problems when nestling production was way down from previous years.

A view from my living room window taken on St. Patrick’s day. Three days before Spring sprung we had a light dusting of snow. This flocked the trees for a post winter scene.

When these little guys make their appearence I know that Spring is here. I would guess  I’m about a week late to witness their arrival. Actually first arrivals may be seen when the stem exits the snow and the flourescence is surrounded with white. Now I must get out on the hill and search for the Yellow Fritillary or Fairybell as they are sometimes called. This starts the season of wildflowers!

It looks like I may be rushing it a little bit, but hey, it’s 52 degrees outside. The ground hog was really fooled this year with his 6 weeks more winter prediction.

This is another photo taken from my front door looking down Daggett Creek. It is essentually the same subject as a couple of the previous photos. The big difference is  lighting and weather conditions. The sun burst was totally accidental, but it adds interest to the picture. My point here is if you don’t have the expertise necessary to plan these photos shoot many. I lack that expertise. There may be one that stands out above all the rest.

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The weather warmed a bit to above freezing. After a rain shower during the night fog hung low in the valley. This shot was taken looking toward the east just after sunrise. It is the same location as the previous photo. What a difference lighting makes.

The weather has stayed below freezing for some time now and the snow that fell several days ago is still hanging on the trees and shrubs.

The temperature registered  -1 degree F. this morning. I sprinkled some seeds on the snow and waited for the sun to come up. Soon the juncos and Steller’s jays arrived. Along with them came a pine squirrel (Red Squrriel or Chickory). It seems to me that on a frosty morning as this squirrels should be snoozing snugly in some cozy little nest away from the cold. Maybe this one neglected to stash a sufficient supply of food last fall. I can’t imagine foraging around in this environment on one’s bare feet.