February 2014

After the snow and cold in December, the weather was dry and relatively warm through January.  The entire West Coast is experiencing serious drought.  Usually by February, crocuses start to bloom and pussy willow begin to form but on the 6th, snow started falling.  As I put the feeder out about 7:30, the male Anna's flew to it before I even had it hung,

drank his fill, then flew into the willow to rest as the snow continued.

The sulky was heading north again.

At noon when I went out to feed, temperature was about 28°F.  Halfway to the barn the snow was 10 inches deep

and drifting up on the temple censer.

Later that afternoon, I decided to drive downtown to see who else was crazy enough to be out.  Cleared snow off half the pickup hood, poor mastiff was ready to run.

Noon Friday still snowing--horses almost covered.

The Thinker really chilling out.

Update at 5: still snowing, 13-14 inches,

the censer covered.

February 8:  freezing rain on the holly, 32°F.

Keeping warm near the bird feeder.

Sunday, February 9:  Path to the chicken coop; chickens fine, three eggs yesterday, none today; temp about 40°F, quiet, the only sound the crash of ice falling from plants, trees, roof.

The snow pack in the mountains is still well below normal, California is arid, the Great Lakes are almost completely frozen over, snow fell in Alabama and has buried most of the rest of the country but here the Pineapple Express brought warmth and rain; we were back to Oregon sunshine.