January Thaw January 8, 2008
Posted by Jennifer Schlick in hiking, winter.trackback
A week ago the ground was covered with snow; the puddles were frozen; the temperatures were reported with single digits. Today we walk without mittens, hats or scarves. I wear my jacket and I am too warm. The temperature is in the 60s. Spring Peepers are active, singing hopeful songs. Dandelions bloom in the front yard. Honeybees send out scouts to see if it is spring yet.
I’m a big fan of winter, if you haven’t figured that out yet. Still, I must admit that today’s fresh, warm breeze was a welcome respite from the cold of last week. Sarah and Patrick, who are not nearly as enthusiastic about winter as I am, poked around in the open water and tried to catch tadpoles.
Well… Patrick tried to catch tadpoles. Sarah just tried to give Patrick a hard time.
I spotted a snail along the pond edge… and then another… and a tiny clam. Three mollusk species within two feet of one another.
In the woods, the sun dodged tree branches to illuminate mosses and lichens…
… and scat.
If the weatherman is right, this will all be covered with snow by the weekend. Temperatures will be half what they were today.
I need to take my cross country skis over to the Hollyloft for a tune up and base wax. I already put my snowshoes in the trunk of my car in anticipation. It was a lovely respite from the cold and snow… but now I say: Bring it on!
This was great and your photo’s colors make me think it is April, but nope . . . it’s January! Great day and love seeing your great day that you had!
Yes, I was out and about today, also! But as I write this note, I can hear the wind blowing — 30 degrees tomorrow! I love the dandelion — I didn’t see any of those today.
Wow, you really got a thaw. I thought it was warm here! Those pictures do not say January.
What a neat springlike adventure! Your photos are great. I can’t believe dandelions already!!!
We had a few days of mild temps too but not quite as mild as your pictures depict! Today we got some new snow. Hurrah! The temps are at least to be below 0 C over the next few days. We’ve already been x-country skiing but the warmer weather made for not quite as nice conditions. Have you checked out Nordic Skates yet?
You must have some aggressive dandelions. Even with a couple of days with lower seventies temps, I haven’t seen any dandelions blooming.
You have such an eye for detail. I’m so moved by the force of Life that lies under our feet. My favorites are the shells. I love your blogspace here. Thanks for your comment on my blog. It made me blush. I’m really just beginning as an illustrator. Check back in two years.
Ooh signs of life! Love the photos & words.
Winter’s just getting going in the mountains here, with the latest big storm, which dumped a lot of snow on the Sierras. Time to wax up the XC skis and hit the snow myself!
What a beautiful interlude in mid-winter! We’ll send a little snow your way although we kept about 4 inches of it last night.
OMG, Jennifer, I can’t believe it got that warm there for you guys….and it’s not even the middle of January yet! Glad you got to get out and enjoy it.
We’ve had a thaw too. Splendid! It had a re-invigorating effect on my Aged Cat . btw, Your blog is beautiful! I’m going to recommend it to a friend who thinks nobody would be interested in her nature photos. (Inspiration and camaraderie!)
Great pictures! We too experienced the thaw. It gave my son a bit of spring fever. I too love winter, and am not ready to let go of it yet, although the blue skies and warm breezes were a nice change.