The colors of winter paint the landscape outside my window. Towering silver maples cast steel blue shadows two lots long. The snow between these shadows sparkles slate blue and slate gray. Remnants of snow creations softened by time stoically stand in blobs around the yard. Cornflower blue tints the sky, fading to light steel blue on the horizon. Snow lays a foot deep on the rooftops and ice damns creep menacingly over the edges, some with ice sickles two feet long.

Only 5 weeks past the winter solstice and the rising sun feels warmer. The wintering birds practice their territorial songs, in-between filling up on sunflower seeds from the feeders in the yard.  

Blue, winter, cold, still; yet the countdown to spring has begun. 
Copyright kittycooks, January 30, 2010  22 degrees

The last snowstorm is past and subzero temps have settled upon us.  Snow lays a bluish blanket across the garden and ice makes for treacherous travel.  A thick, hard crust lays over the pukak, an Inuit word for “salt like snow”, the soft and airy layer below. 

The crust creates huge lightweight blocks; my children’s snow sculptures and towers decorate the yard.  Remember the game of walking across the crust, giggling with delight when you or your playmate broke through sinking deep into the snow?  I am not so light or lucky and have to punch my trails with thoughtful determination. 

Rodents thrive in the soft pukak, creating extensive tunnels for windless travel shielded from hawks and owls.  They easily retrieve their nuts and seeds digging in the pukak next to the ground.  Mice create sleeping nests snuggling in the dried grass and leaves.  This mixed layer of snow will protect the plant roots through the bitter cold, just as a layered jacket system protects us with a windbreak shell over fluffy down.  Place a thermometer under the snow near the ground – the temperature is around 30 degrees F. even when the air is minus 15.  Now isn’t that a cozy thought?
Copyright kittycooks, January 3, 2010.  Minus 15 degrees at 8:00 a.m.   

The snow is deeper than my knee-high boots.  It is warm, on the verge of rain.  Snow continues to fall; wet, heavy snowflakes inches across.   Thankfully there is no wind.  For the third time I shovel off my young evergreen tree that is pinned to the ground and the walk to the house.  This is not a day to stroll in the woods as the boughs are covered in heavy wet snow.  Bucket size plops slide off the evergreens, leaving craters as they hit the ground.  Everything is outlined with a thick layer of sparkling blue snow.

The squirrels are tunneling to get to the birdseed underneath the feeders.  They pop their heads out like prairie dogs along the way.  I haven’t seen the birds; it’s probably too wet.  They will come when the snow stops.  We know what is coming next; cold always follows the snow.

Copyright kittycooks, December 25, 2009.  34 degrees. 

Balmy dampness hangs in the air, hinting of the storm coming up from the gulf.  With a mix of school age excitement and grown up concerns we await the predicted 20 inches of snow.

We've had notice for two days.  The pantry is stocked, the bird feeders are full, and the command was given: pick up your yard toys or they will be buried till spring.  The snow is coming.  Now we wait. 

The deer are hunkered down next to fallen trees in the ravine behind my house.  They know.  So do the birds, who have been feeding all day.  The evening sky is strangely pink, reflecting the lights of the city in the low clouds above.  I am ready to retire; when I arise the snow will be here.
Copyright kittycooks, December 23, 2009  25 degrees.

The birds are flocking to my feeders due to the snowstorm blowing in tonight.  Did you know birds can feel atmospheric pressure change in their bones hours before the storm?  This persuades them to fill up on food before the snow begins.   They will hunker down in the evergreens and thickets as the storm blows through.  Remember to fill your feeder with fresh seed and brush away the snow after the storm to help our little friends.  
The annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count occurred on December 12, 2009, in the Minneapolis area.  But if you are a casual birder, home schooler, or classroom, there is still plenty of time to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count scheduled for February 12 - 14th, 2010. You can participate in as little as 15 minutes one or more of the days, fill out your report, submit it online, and help scientists throughout North America track migration patterns and activity of birds.  Check out their web page here:  Great Backyard Bird Count
Enjoy your day!
Copyright kittycooks, December 13, 2009  11 degrees with 0 windchill.