Spring Snow

What a week! Spring has definitely been put on hold. With days of snow, it felt more like a winter storm in January or February. Marcia, a good friend, described it perfectly when she said that watching the huge snowflakes fall outside her window was like being inside of a snow globe. Perfect analogy!

What a beautiful sight! Snow on the mountains! Having lived in this area during a drought and wildfires, late winter or early spring snowstorms are a gift!

With this scene out my window one morning, my first task was to knock off all the feeders especially the hummingbird feeders.

Thanks to the early Spring blooming manzanitas, the hummingbirds have an alternative if the supplemental feeders are covered in snow. What a relief!

White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)

Mountain Chickadee (Poecile gambeli)

What better time than now to get to know the birds in your own backyard. The snowy conditions brought lots of frequently seen birds along with some infrequent visitors.

Cassin's Finches (Carpodacus cassinii)

These beautiful pink-tinged males are usually found in the high country but sometimes in the winter, they can be found downslope in our area. Seven of these finches found our backyard feeders this week. I suspect that they will head up to the high country as the snow starts to melt.

The temperatures will warm and the snow will melt but for now, we are enjoying the last fires of the season.

This quote is on a plaque in a turnout on a windy, mountain road to the desert. It is a reminder for people to be careful as they drive down the steep mountain. I read it recently and thought it was appropriate to share now in light of the pandemic.

"Maintain a grateful awareness of the time given you to share with your loved ones

And remember those who innocently lost what you may take for granted."

For a beautiful musical message of hope and healing by Andrea Bocelli from Milan, go to
Andrea Bocelli

Click on photos to enlarge.

Photos and content by Robin Roberts.