Hey You!

Puss, letting me know I'm late with breakfast.

Flashes of Beauty

Promises

Moments of sun

through a cloud-laden sky

reminders of times

yet to come

Waiting For Dinner

New Shelter

The sheep had been using the kennel/chicken coup I moved the goats into as a shelter, so I needed another shelter for them. One of my carport shelters partially blew down a couple years ago, but was still useful until recently. I pulled the skeleton apart and attached part of it to the kennel and covered it with tarp - voila, a sheep shelter! Groucho the cat supervised the process.

This is the third use for this carport. They may not withstand the wind well, but they are inexpensive and seem to remain useful even after wind collapses.

What 'cha Doing?

One of my goats was injured, so I sequestered both of them in the kennel that doubles as my chicken coup. The horses are very curious about the new activity in this area, as well as the food now going in. They had to come over and whinny at me while carefully watching my every move.

Another Side of the Mountain

Mt. St. Helens from I-5 around Woodland - pretty much due west. Quite a different outline. It isn't easy taking a good picture from the freeway, and I managed to miss all of the unobstructed views - or they came out fuzzy. It's easier to imagine the pre-eruption shape of the mountain - Washington's Mt Fuji - from this side.

Spring Sunrise

I love watching the sun move from south to north as the year progresses. It is now rising near Mt. Rainier, barely visible on the left. I also love having a clear morning after months of over-rain. All the clouds give one a great appreciation for a clear day, for the sun, for warmth and beauty.

I woke last night around 2AM to see a huge red moon rising, glimmering, delighting in it's beauty. Whispering words of gratitude I turned towards the window, and let the red light lull me back to sleep.

Cat Choices

Cats choose the strangest perches. Groucho is enjoying the sun on the 2 x 4 under the picnic table, rather than on top of the table. Interesting choice.

The Red Boys

Trojan and Bear. Bear and I have been riding a few times, getting used to each other as I re-familiarize myself with riding. He's a real trooper. Trojan is a gaited Morgan, Bear a Missouri Foxtrotter.

Red Moon

The red moon rises
Gleaming in the light mist
It is much quieter
And more mysterious
Than when it is yellow or gold

Sunset

Alert!

I heard the very strange alert call the Alpacas make, and they were at attention, staring towards the next field. What could have claimed their attention?

The yearling ram I had moved into their field on his way back to the rest of the sheep. He's very small, a long way away, and minding his own business. Alpacas don't miss much.

Lambs!

Babies are so adorable. These lambs are so innocent, enjoying spring grass and a sunny day.

Hint of a Mountain

It was actually mostly clear and sunny much of the day, but a storm rolled in around 5:00 bringing dark clouds, hail and rain. I love it when the mountain peeks through the clouds, as if to say, "you can't hide me forever!"

Enjoying the Sun

At least the mud is a little drier, and the grass is beginning to grow.

Bliss

Helping fill the trough

And looking much more elegant after a bit of a brushing

Evening Changes

The day was supposed to be sunny - and it was, occasionally. It also rained, hailed, rained some more, and was cloudy most of the day. In the evening it put on a beautiful, changing display.

At 5:30 a light mist muted colors and blended hills and sky

A dark cloud billowed across the sky

Six o'clock, and the Cottonwoods brightened as if lit by an internal energy source

While rain pulled clouds down from the sky

By 7:00 the setting sun ran fingers of gold across the valley, highlighting everything in it's path. 

Life Lessons

You are never too old to play with squeaky toys.

Hillside swamp?

This is a nearby property on my ridge. The skunk cabbage grows most of the way up the hill - further indication of our rainforest status - or Why We Live In Mud. Here's what Wikipedia has to say about it:

Western Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton americanus), also called Yellow Skunk Cabbage or Swamp Lantern, is a plant found in swamps and wet woods, along streams and in other wet areas of the Pacific Northwest, where it is one of the few native species in the arum family. 

Moon Glow

The moon is still huge.

I felt it's presence through the trees, a bright gold light in a sky newly cleared of clouds.

It hovers, gloriously reflecting a far away sun.

Enjoying the Sun

Spring?

With cool temps, low clouds and nearly continuous heavy rain, it's easy to forget that the year is marching on and it really is Spring. A walk in the (damp) woods this morning showed that the plants have not forgotten. 

Bleeding Heart

Dicentra formosa

Oregon Grape

Berberis nerposa

Western Skunk Cabbage

Lysichiton americanus

Trillium

Trillium ovatum

Red Flowering Current (a volunteer next to my house)

Ribes sanguineum

Sunrise, Mist and Mountains

Beautiful sunrises don't always come in color.

Mt. Rainier

Mt. St. Helens

Getting to Know You

A Hole In The Sky

A hole opened in the dark gray sky

And the Sun shone brightly through

Highlighting the proud display of new leaves by the Cottonwoods

And turning raindrops into Diamonds

Reminding me how grateful I am for this beautiful World