Changing Weather

We experienced a lot of weather changes this week.

In the early part of the week temperatures dipped to eighteen below at night and reached six degrees for a daily high.

South winds brought a warming trend and temperatures rose above normal for this time of year. They changed to the teens and twenties at night and in the thirties during the day. I especially enjoyed the day it reached forty degrees.

In spite of the wind Ken and I managed to get a couple of short walks in but that changed as the winds gained strength.

We continue to enjoy daily visits from our winter residents, the birds and deer. Here is a fine looking fellow who stopped long enough to pose for Ken.


Photo by Ken W. Hall

Ice Fishing

I had no idea people fished on top of frozen Ennis Lake in the winter until Ken and I took a drive around the lake last year. Ken was driving around the lake earlier this month when he stopped to talk to a group of ice fishermen.

The men said they come down regularly from Bozeman. A children’s snow sled becomes their pack animal as they set up their campsite on the ice. The ice is from eighteen to twenty inches thick. A pop up tent provides a little shelter.

Wiping his nose one gentleman said, “ It would be really pleasant today if it were not for the breeze.” A ten-degree temperature becomes quite nippy when the wind blows like it was that day.

Photo by Ken W. Hall, title: Ice Fishermen January 2009

Eight Mile Opening

I visited Eight Mile fishing access this week to see what was happening with the river. The rushing water had carved this ice shelf that must be at least five feet high. It is located at the boat ramp.

It was seven degrees yesterday morning and the high was in the twenties. A new snow storm is expected today.

The few days last week that were like spring weather caused us to long for spring. But, winter is letting us know it is not over yet.

The Changing River

It was in the teens Sunday morning as I stood by the river admiring what resembled sparkling diamonds. The sun shown brightly as it peeked through the clouds revealing the promise of some clear blue sky.

In the distance I could hear the rushing sound of the water that managed to make its way to the surface still surrounded by frozen ice. The occasional popping and cracking sound of the ice provided a unique accompaniment to the never-ending song of the moving river.

My attention was diverted by the sound of the beating wings of a magpie as it flew past my shoulder.

Saturday I returned to Burnt Tree fishing access to see how much more of the river had melted. To my surprise the path that was so perfectly carved a few days earlier was completely gone. Here is a glimpse of what I found.

I never cease to be amazed at the changes in the Madison River in winter.

A Change in the Gorging

Temperatures continue to remain above normal for this time of year. The highs are in the mid thirties and the lows are in the teens.

We feel like it is springtime.

I thought you might like to see how the river changes as the gorging begins to change.

If you are a fisherman you may know of Burnt Tree fishing access. I took this photo there this past week.

As you can tell the ice is between three and four feet thick.

It's A Warm Day

It is a warm day in Ennis. It was forty-two degrees when I got up this morning. It is expected to stay in the mid forties throughout the day.

I ran a quick errand downtown and got this obviously quick shot. The ice on the roads is melting.

Yesterday I saw large trucks removing some snow piles from Main Street. There are more cars in town today.

I see a few patches of blue sky. It feels good to be warmer and see the promise of some sunshine. I always prefer sun.

It's A Blizzard

Well, it was a short blizzard. It lasted about forty-five minutes. This snowfall was a wet one and the snowflakes were as big as a half-dollar.

We had a heat wave last week. Temperatures got up as high as forty degrees.

Then over the weekend it was back down to seven degrees.

Today the wind is howling. It blew strong and steady all night long. The temperature was twenty degrees this morning.

Snow Twister

Have you ever seen a snow twister?

I grew up in west Texas where the wind created twisters from sand. I had never seen one made out of snow.

Here are a couple of shots Ken got on our last trip to Bozeman. I thought you might enjoy seeing blowing snow twisters.

Photos by Ken W. Hall