We are in the middle of an ice storm over here. The freezing rain started an hour ago, and already chunks of ice are flying sideways and hitting the windows. There's ice and snow and more ice and neverending wind. Roads are shut down and we haven't had school since the 6th of January (that's ten snow days so far if you're keeping a tally).
Our conversations are exclusively weather related:
"Is this our 4th ice storm or our 5th?"
"Did you hear they clocked a 102mph gust at the lookout across the river?"
"When will it end?!?!"
I am just going to think instead about a kinder, gentler winter--one of birdwatching and nature hikes. We've visited the great little
wildlife refuge just down the hill from us twice already this winter. Our second visit was a guided hike on New Year's Day and it was great to learn a little more about this gem so close to home.
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| Mt Hood in the background. |
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| A great blue heron |
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| We spotted two bald eagles on our first visit. |
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| Crowding around the spotting scope, the Columbia River to the right. |
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| A cell phone photo through the scope. |
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| Canada geese taking flight. |
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| The perfect way to start the new year! |
