Juniper Sky

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Happy Dogs, Winter Moves Along

The windchimes were silent. Snow was gone except for in the shadows of the trees. Was that an early breath of spring we felt? The larkspur hadn't poked through the ground yet, but it won't be long. In the afternoon the western horizon turned dark and soon tiny snowflakes fell and the ground slowly turned to white...again.
Harley and Donner tried to hunt a jackrabbit, which we saw slip unnoticed through the fence. Tycho was also very active today and got to explore outside. I sewed most of the day on the "garden dress", then helped load 3 cartloads of dead sage. Calm and quiet around the fire barrel tonight. I took portraits of Gary and some shots of the old truck with the Big Dipper standing on end overhead.
Happy Dad

Happy Dog

Saturday, January 14, 2006

Snow, Moonlight and Stardust

Gary said he heard coyotes, but I never did. It snowed most of the day...heavy, wet snow that bent the juniper branches and sage and made it look like a different place. Tonight seems to be clearing finally.

The moon was shining on the snow so beautifully. Donner and I spent some time in the field taking photos of the moonlight with the trees. Donny got a bit frustrated with the snow sticking to his paws. It was the deepest snow he had been in. It was funny watching him and Harley bouncing through the brush trying to track a jackrabbit.

Tonight is the night (morning around 2 a.m.) that Stardust enters the atmosphere. I doubt I'll make it that late.

Friday, January 13, 2006

Lightning Tree

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Tycho Turns 18

Happy Birthday to our sweet little baby dog, Tycho, who has been a wonderful little companion and friend. He is an important part of our lives and has been everywhere with us...from camping, boating, snowmobiling, and star parties... Happy Boofday, Baby! We love you!

Sunday, January 8, 2006

Strolling Through Paradise

Seeds are germinating on the sunlit slopes of the anthills. The flocks of robins are gone. Dusk is noticeably later... More signs the season is moving along. We had a light snow and the morning was calm and crisp.

Saturday, January 7, 2006

View from Hottub ~ Orion Over Butte

A wood-heated hottub on a cool January night ~ Orion, so majestic after sunset in January, towered above the snow-covered Butte glowing in the moonlight. I grabbed my tripod and had to get in a few shots. Tonight was crystal clear at dusk after a wild afternoon of hail, wind and snow.

Monday, January 2, 2006

Wind Power

The wind has been great this winter and we have had all the power we can use. Here's a photo of the turbine in full furl (as it did much of New Year's Day with that storm that came through). It sort of sounds like the doppler effect of a helicopter coming at you when it does this, but you get used to it. The wind turbine, along with solar panels, has been a good combination to living off-grid.

Sunday, January 1, 2006

A New Year

I took the telephoto lens on the morning walk and got some great shots of Donner racing in the sage. I just loved his expression in this shot. Such enthusiasm to greet the new year!