an elegant hunter

Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)
HE SWEPT BY when Ophee and I were out in the yard this morning. His presence explains the occasional feathery murder scenes I find in the yard. Also, I am fairly certain starlings are a favorite dish, and I've had big populations in the trees lately. Like everyone, scrabbling for food and warmth. Closeup photo is actually a juvenile. They mature to more black and white.

my snowy block

IN THE SUNSHINE, which we get a good amount of even in winter, the snow is so pristine, and all the colors shine against it. Here's my little street, with beautiful sky overhead, and a shot of Saddlerock, dressed in snow.

our path panorama

THE ROUTE WE walk, Ophee and I. This looks so generic, compared to the way it looked when I took it on Thanksgiving. It was so breathtaking outside, with the contrasts of white and blue, and the sun, sparkling on anything it could.

yer snow buddy

TILL SOMEBODY LOVES YOU.
That's about all I have to say.

before & after

SO ONE NIGHT, it was frosty and cold, and the next morning all was blanketed by our friend Snow.

why the trees

OK, ENOUGH ALREADY with all the leaves. I must explain myself. I am utterly ravished by autumn colors. The tarnished tones of red, gold, and myriad greens make my heart ache. And usually, against the foil of blackened vegetation, give the impression of a Czar's robes. I wonder if I fell in love with trees as a child...I have memories of huge trees with wonderful billows of falling leaves to play with. In Huntington Beach, Terrie and I had the pleasure of attending a grade school where old trees littered the ground with their leaves in September. I remember, even as a kid, on my last day of school there, I walked the grounds, taking in the sights and smells of my old tree friends, and feeling a pang of sadness that I would rarely if ever see them again.

free mulch!

IF IT'S POSSIBLE to be excited about a Troybuilt Leaf Blower, you can see why here. These are just the farthest corners of the Farmlet— lots more leaves in between. But they will make lovely blankets for my transplants.

our favorite walk

OPHEE AND I walk 2 blocks to the irrigation waterways, which are like little streams in the summer, and now are empty of water but the path is covered with pine needles, hoofprints of deer (which I might see if I was up at 5am), blackberry brambles full of quail, and leaves, EVERYWHERE. Wenatchee has its share of trees, and we delight in scuffling through the multi-colored crunchy carpets.

the long shadows

WASN'T IT JUST September, yesterday? Watching the seasons change here, it's so obvious the time of year. In Bothell, seasons blurred. The shadows are really stretching out, and I have plenty to do before winter, which promises to be a snowmonster.
My friend Ethan gave me a leaf blower which has turned out to be my favorite back-saving device. Thank you, Ethan!