my-montana-moments: December 2012

Friday, December 21, 2012

Morning Coffee On The Deck

Last Saturday we woke to three to four inches of snow. Even though it was twenty-one degrees outside Ken suited up and camera in hand spent the next hour or so on the deck enjoying his morning coffee.

The woodpecker, finches, and numerous other birds joined him. Some put on quite a show.

A couple of days later temperatures dropped to zero degrees. We experienced some days of clouds, some of sunshine and many with strong winds. The highest temps this week during the day have been in the twenties.

As you can tell, I prefer to have my morning tea inside where it is warm.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

I Just Love Ennis

We enjoyed a little sunshine in Ennis today after several days of dark cloudy skies. Without the wind it felt warmer than the high twenties. Earlier in the week we received three or four inches of snow. A light dusting of snow fell during the night but the weather man says we are not expecting much more for a couple of days.

On my way home just now I got caught in a traffic jam. A mother doe and her two fawns fearlessly crossed in front of my car. Fortunately I was on a plowed street providing enough traction to stop easily.

I was thinking to myself how much I love living in this sweet small town having just witnessed a rare moment at the grocery store. An older woman was walking very slowly on the icy parking lot when a cowboy got out of his pickup, took her by the arm and escorted her into the store.

Upon leaving the store I was awe struck by the beauty of the sun setting leaving a rare mixture of grey and pink over the snow capped mountains. Then I was greeted by the deer a block from my house. I am truly blessed.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Snow Last Night

The photos and information below were sent to me today by my husband, Ken. We enjoyed quite a treat this morning.

We've had no snow for quite a while now-until last night. We had gone to an event, the Chamber of Commerce Christmas event that began at 5:00 pm.

With the festivities in full swing someone glanced out the window at the lights. An old friend was visiting. Snow was falling in small flakes and there was lots of it. There was no wind so the magic was evident, quiet and peaceful.

We woke up this morning remembering yesterday's bird visits. The usual birds, finches, redpolls and a lone mountain jay feasted and chattered wildly in thanks for the seeds. We had not seen a jay for maybe two months. We commented that maybe it was left behind in the migration, sort of a bird without a purpose.

During our morning coffee and tea time suddenly we became aware of the purpose for yesterday's lone jay. He was a "scout". And then in races the flock of jays, probably 15 - 20 of them descended in mass. The smaller finches and all those of that size with flurried wings scattered to the wind…nowhere to be seen or heard.

What was different this time the jay hoard descended on the feeders was that they brought the summers young addition to the flock! Easily evident because of their rounded bodies, shorter beaks and sans the squeaking of the adults in the lead of this raid, the young ones were far less camera shy than the hardened adults. The jay families are of the crow family so the calls can be heard as they approach.

This is why we share our "baby album" of our new family. May life be gentle to us all.

--- Ken W. Hall

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Stormy Weather

I am grateful temperatures are in the forties today. The strong, relentless wind would not be bearable if the temperatures were colder.

These beautiful images were taken by Ken this morning when we took a short drive through Jeffers. The wind has been relentless for two days now. As you can tell, the skies are moody.

We could see the snow falling on the mountains in the distance while the dust blew across the valley beyond the herd of antelope.

I marvel at Ken's ability to see images in black and white before he shoots. These are amazing.