They say “April showers bring May flowers” but February showers may bring ice, if some rain moves in later tonight with temperatures below freezing.
Springtime Bloodroots
Picture of the Day for February 27, 2017
After the new snow, I saw a lot of deer tracks across my lawn and the last several nights, I have heard them walking through the woods after the dark. But it is hard to take a picture of them in dark in addition to it being cold outside to try to wait for them to come into view, so it is easier to capture them in the summer time.
Deer Venturing Out
Picture of the Day for February 26, 2017
The sun melted a little snow, forming a thin layer of water on top of the ice on my pond, which caught the color of the setting sun.
Icy Sunset Reflection
Picture of the Day for February 25, 2017
Today marks 175th birthday of ‘America’s Bravest Woman’. Ida Lewis was an American lighthouse keeper noted for her heroism in rescuing people from the sea. Her family moved to the Lime Rock Light in Rhode Island in 1857. She helped maintain the Lime Rock Light after her father became ill and eventually was the keeper after both parents died. Lewis made her first rescue in 1854 when she was 12 years old and she made her last recorded rescue when she was 63. During her 54 years on Lime Rock, she is credited with saving 18 lives although unofficial reports suggest the number may have been as high as 25. On July 16, 1881, she was awarded the rare, and prestigious, Gold Lifesaving Medal from the United States government, for her daring rescue on February 4, 1881, of two soldiers.
In 1924 the Rhode Island legislature officially changed the name of Lime Rock to Ida Lewis Rock. The lighthouse service changed the name of the Lime Rock Lighthouse to the Ida Lewis Rock Lighthouse—the only such honor ever paid to a keeper in the United States.
The Lime Rock / Ida Lewis Lighthouse doesn’t catch your eye as a lighthouse, as the beacon is on the side of the wall and is not seen above the roof. The Eagle River Lighthouse in Michigan is another lighthouse which is often overlooked, even though the beacon is above the roof, but it blends in with other houses on the water edge.
Eagle River Lighthouse
Picture of the Day for February 24, 2017
The snow didn’t not miss here so the ground is no longer bare so a hike through the fields and woods will take a little more effort through the deeper snow.
Hike Without Snow
Picture of the Day for February 23, 2017
The critters (including chipmunks) and the birds have been enjoying the snow free lawn. They, like me, might be hoping the snow missing the area tomorrow.
Bird Enjoying No Snow
Picture of the Day for February 22, 2017
A walk around the lawn and woods today didn’t reveal any wildflowers, which is good if a foot of snow is coming Friday, but there was some green moss with sporophytes sprouted making it look like spring had arrived.
Moss Sporophytes
Picture of the Day for February 21, 2017
With almost all the snow gone, at least temporarily, I almost expected to see some wildflowers popping up, but of course I didn’t see any in the woods today. But maybe some skunk cabbages have poked through the soil in some other areas (leaving a smelly odor too marking its presence).
Smelly Skunk Cabbage
Picture of the Day for February 20, 2017
Yesterday my pond started to overflow from the melting snow but with the rain today, the scene changed from snow to a lawn covered in running water but since it was still raining, I didn’t venture out for the after picture today.
Overflow Before the Rain
Picture of the Day for February 19, 2017
The record breaking temperatures this weekend had more people outside enjoying the weather. And since the path would be free of snow, some may have hiked the hill to get to the church at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Church Uphill at the Shrine
