Thursday, March 27, 2014

Signs of Spring: Part 3



The last few days have been incredibly rainy-I guess the weather is making up for all the sunshine of last week! Many flowers took advantage of that sun to bloom; Oregon Grape, Trillium and violets now decorate the forest floor.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Gamebirds








The turkey's have reached new milestones this week. They had their first trip outside. They are always begging to be out of their cage in the kitchen, but hesitated to leave the safety of the cage in the out of doors. Before they left their cage they were peering up at the extinguished heat lamp as the sun warmed them. They seemed puzzled as to the source of the heat!

Friday, March 14, 2014

Signs of Spring: part 2



Spring is definitely closing in on Southwest Washington. The grass is turning green and buds are swelling on every tree. Gardens are turning a vivid yellow as daffodils burst into bloom. 

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Beyond Ridge Camp: A proposal for new trails near Mt. St. Helens


Minnie Peak from near Ridge Camp

A bleak tundra extends before me, a wasteland of twisted stumps, wind blasted scrub growing in among rusted relics of a forgotten age. Behind me, dark moors rise out of sight into low hanging clouds; before me, the gray plateau drops precipitously into the coiling fog. This is not some scene from a post-apocalyptic Sci-fi novel, and mutated beasts do not lurk amongst the foggy crags (at least, not so far as I know). This is the hinterland of Ridge Camp, a bleak and lonely destination high in the Mt. St. Helens blast zone.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Signs of spring: part 1



Spring is nearly upon us!

The first Crocus bloomed on Wednesday, and buds are welling on daffodils, trees and bushes. The bees are stirring in their boxes and the hazelnut tree is draped in golden flowers. Over the last week our pasture has changed from grey to verdant green. The peacocks are calling and fanning their tales and flocks of birds are flying in from the south, filling the morning air with song.