outside

Finally, the temperature rose to zero this Monday afternoon.

So I decided to go for a walk to our creek bottom and see what it looked like. I haven't been there in a couple of weeks which is unusual for me since I used to make it a daily trip.

Charlie is grounded right now. Not because he is a bad boy, but because it is breeding season for coyotes and in our area they can get aggressive with dogs out walking even in the daylight. Now that I said that, I can say that in 30 years of walking with dogs in this time of year, I've only come across coyotes twice.

One was stalking my female Feist Terrier and I the first time 20 years ago. I fired off a .22 round and it skedaddled. 

The second time was only two years ago. I think the coyote was looking for open water and perhaps a mate. It stood and watched us from a distance. I hollered *Boo!* at it and it ran off. In our area coyotes are pretty timid.

I just don't take Charlie into our woods because they are big and he is little so why not? Just a good precaution right now.

It was not surprising that most of the animal tracks were in the narrow valley along the creek. It is out of the winds and there is water in some places where the springs bubble up.

Here the creek it about a foot wide and it looks as though it was flash frozen.

When I climbed under the large downfall and came out the other side I found a solitary sparrow taking a drink of water.

It didn't move off while I squatted there and pulled out my cell phone.

This reminds me why I adore and appreciate the heated bird bath at the house. I even wished I could tell the bird where it was located. I know, how weird am I?

Because this valley is very narrow and very steep, it doesn't get a lot of sunlight. Though there are places where there is open water like below. This is very likely a spring. IF it stays below zero for longer, the surface would still freeze and the water may move slowly under the ice.

Cool ice formations from the quick freeze.

Here is where the whole creek froze. The spring water seeps up over 

the ice to freeze in lumps and bumps.

This spot is near several springs and I've never seen it totally freeze over in 30 years. 

I found all of these variations in just a half mile of walking in the valley.

Of course I stopped by my favorite Ice Wall which isn't impressive this year as it has been in the past.

Three years ago------>

This was a nice break from being stuck inside. I have been trying out different methods of photography and might have some to share later this week.

Stay warm, stay safe.