The Snow has Arrived

The big flakes began falling before noon and with no wind they floated straight down.

Ah, what a lovely snow we have been blessed with today.

I have become accustomed to the on/off type winter we seem to continue to enjoy this year. It has been about seven years since we last saw similar weather; if memory serves me correctly.

Please forgive the picture quality...gray skies and snow aren't lending themselves to perfect image catching conditions.

I believe however, you can probably discern the object of this shot.

You are correct! That is if you guessed a Robin...
They have been hanging around for some time now, and for some reason unbeknownst to us it always has to snow at least once, or twice after their return.

Visibility varied from minute to minute.

I didn't find it totally unpleasant to be out and about; going from our mobile home to our new house.

Hubby and I are putting some time in today cutting wood and building some wall frames in our new house.

This picture was taken from the doorway of our new house when the snow was peppering down.

A Red-tailed Hawk came back to sit in the same Cottonwood, where I saw one this morning, but this time a lower branch was more to it's liking.

He stuck around during the lull between shots of the fluffy white stuff.

Cardinals could be heard  singing their sweet spring songs, which started the other birds to join in the chorus. Overall it seemed a welcoming to whoever might be close enough to listen.

This afternoon is ending with about two inches of new snow on the ground.

Not a good wet snow for making snowmen I don't think...Maybe I should go give it a try.

I can still smile, because this will all be gone tomorrow.

Spring temperatures are forecast for our week with rain a possibility come Wednesday.

The gardening bug has placed a thought of early crops that might profit from being put into the ground soon. Even if it snows again......

Sunday Morning Walk

This morning I decided to get out to check the farmer's pond adjacent to our pasture for the increased populations of migrating waterfowl passing through our spring  flyway.

                  Light of day was just beginning to rise as I caught these pictures in a valley like setting.

           Coming out of the house I spotted the Eagle across the cornfield perched in a fence line tree.

Then in the opposite direction I caught this Red-tailed Hawk making use of the frequently used Cottonwood perch. It's brilliant white contrast against a darkening cloud bank was awesome.

It turned out I was not alone in surveying the activities of our little part of  Iowa. Sadie and I had company peering over the fence at the opposite side of the pasture. I only became aware of our visitor when I turned to look around before moving to a different location for pond viewing; adding another member of the fauna to put in the daily picture log.Once it realized it wasn't alone it disappeared.

The temperature was extremely frosty just after sunrise - I didn't stay out for long. Snow is showing up on the weather map since I came back to the house, but again not a huge event.

Spring temps this week should continue to add to the return of Timber Life residents that call the south home for a few months. So far I have heard Killdeer, Red-winged Blackbirds,heard and seen Robins during our fluctuating weather.

What really signals spring for me is the return of the hummingbirds,orioles, and vultures. Keep checking back...I will let you know when that happens.