My Week in Pictures

This week was all about cold and snow. We had the biggest storm I've seen in the nine winters I've been here, 20 inches in around 24 hours. And, we had the lowest temperature for this winter -11. By we I mean Koty and I. But we are very fortunate to live in a micro-climate that allows us to stay 10 to 15 degrees warmer than most other places. Of course, -11 or -25, I can't tell the difference when it gets that cold.

Koty still in bed. He is not a morning person.

After the big storm the trees were just loaded with snow.

Out at Walden Pond the warm water from the spring kept the ice at bay.

Snow piled on old grass made for an interesting landscape. Kind of looked like a lunar landscape to me.

The snow was so deep Koty had to jump along to break trail. He loved every minute of it.

101 Ranch barn and fences covered in new snow.

The view from Sophie lake east to the Galtons and Mt. Baldy

Mt. Baldy. This mountain is actually in British Columbia

This shaggy, little old pony was just standing by the roadside caked in ice. It was -9 degrees. He reminded me a lot of a horse I had when I was a kid, his name was Pancho. I know animals are designed to tolerate the cold but it still makes me sad to see them out in it. The truth is even if they have access to a barn most of them prefer to be out.

Just an old snow covered truck I came across. When I took this little tour of the valley after the storm I stayed in the car and shot through the car window most of the time at -7 to -10 it's colder than I like and I can't hardly work the controls on my camera.

Along with the pot load of snow we also  has some wind. I didn't get that much at my place but other place got quite a bit. This is what the snow along the roadside looked like after the wind sculpted it. I really find these natural designs beautiful.

Just another moonset. I took this through my living room window. Too cold for me out there!

No telling what Mother Nature has in store for us next week. But, it will be interesting no doubt. Spring breakup could really be a very messy business this year. I read in the local paper,  published once a week, all the watersheds are above normal for snow and some close to 150% above normal. If we get a sudden period of high temperatures this spring there will be flooding and ice jams galore, no doubt about it.


©Kinsey Barnard

2-18-2011

24 degrees this morning and cloudy. The day ended at 21. Last night it was clear as a bell and the moon on the snow lit the place up like day time. I have noticed a certain weather patterns and they seem at odds. Most of our clear weather is at night and yet almost all the snow has come at night too.

Russel says watch 76.5 on the dollar and I will.

Slithered off the mountain to get to the post office and to get some supplies at the grocery.

I decided to go on a little tour to see if I could find anything interesting to shoot. Drove Indian Creek, Sinclair Creek and finished with a walk at the Riverwalk. Never found a single thing that interested me or my camera. Some days are like that.

My third most favorite thing to do after, photography and exploring the wild, is eating. Turns out food was my greatest discovery today. Today I discoverd Pistachio instant pudding. OMG! It's to die for and it's sugar and fat free! It even has little bits of nut in it. This stuff is a perfect subsititute for my ice cream addiction. Ah, that's it. Jello Instant Pudding, the methadone for ice cream junkies.

Jello Instant Pudding-Pistachio Flavored

Cold and clear tonight. I'm thinkin sunny skies tomorrow.

©Kinsey Barnard

2-16-2011

Mother Nature finally made up her mind and decided to go with snow. We got about and inch and a half over night, enough to shovel and plow. The temperature is mild at 38 so I don't reckon this will stay with us for long.

The pre-dawn landscape was just gorgeous. I guess it was the snow that gave it the blue glow. Whatever it was so pretty. This was taken at a very slow speed, 1/2 of a second.

Plowing was a bit of a challenge. The ground is a little bit soft and I managed to gouge a huge divit out of my driveway. I think there's something not right with that plow. It flops around like a landed fish. Need to get someone to take a look at it before I take it off. Hope to heck I remember. I get so anxious to get the damned thing off I'll probably forget ..... again!

My pal Mona came to call and we had a great time catching up and brainstorming. I need to decide what pieces I am going to show at the Bigfork Museum in May. I have just an awful time choosing.

Koty is really bent out of shape now. Whilst Mona and I were visiting he drug out his toys, tore open some tummies and scattered stuffing all around the house in a valiant effort to get some attention, all to no avail. I WILL take him for a good long hike tomorrow come hell or high water!

©Kinsey Barnard

2-15-2011

Another muddy gray morning but the temp was at 38 so we continue to thaw. Weather can't seem to figure out if it wants to rain or snow so there were showers of both.

I read an interview this morning with Charlie Maxwell, a respected energy analyst. What he has to say certainly got my attention. Bottom line: He is projecting $300 oil by 2020. 2020 is not that far off. I'm thinking I'd best saddle up Clementine as soon as the snow clears. So much to see so little time left to do it! If you'd like to read the article ...... Charlie Maxwell Interview.

Koty's nose is bent out of shape because I went into the woods alone today. I seldom leave him behind but sometimes I just like to be by myself. I wandered over to the little creek that runs through my property. The water cascades down the mountain and makes the most wonderful sound. I thought about what my life would be like if gasoline really did go to $300. Not much different I concluded. I would just be spending more time at my creek instead of gallivanting around to other creeks.

Rushing Water - Music to My Ears

 Just another day in my version of paradise.

©Kinsey Barnard

2-14-2011

Muddy gray this morning temp at 32 and we are definitely in a thaw. The high was 45. It feels like we may be making the turn toward spring. The birds and squirrels seem to sense it too. When I went out on the deck at daybreak the birds were chirping and the squirrels were chattering. In the dead of winter the forest is as silent as a stone. Oh, we may get another snow or two but my "friends" and I we think spring is right around the corner.

Ready For Spring

This afternoon I walked in my forest. I came across where a squirrel had been out of his hole working his pine cones. Everybody is getting anxious to go back to work. Me too. As I walked around I saw so many wind fall trees I need to clean up.

Squirrels out working in February

I may be on to something with my "My Week In Pictures" idea. I've only done it two times now but yesterday I had the largest number of visitors I have ever had in a single day, over 700. The people have spoken. I have really struggled with this blog thing, trying to find the right mix of doing something that I enjoy and that others enjoy too. All I can say is, when it comes to the Internet, it's a jungle out there.

I found this article this morning. The IMF Calls for dollar alternative. There was a time when such a thing was unimaginable. It blows my mind!

I think I've reached that age where I start remembering "the good old days", just like my parents did and their parents before them. Egads! It is really true, life does go by in a flash and the older you get the faster it flies.

Hope everyone had a happy and love filled Valentines day.

©Kinsey Barnard Fine Art  Photography

Hard At Work-Ice Falls Image

2-9-2011

Mostly cloudy today. Average temp around 25. Just a few snowflakes flying around.

Spent the morning putting the finishing touches on my JPG article "Canyons of the Ancients-Land of Enchantment-Land of Mystery" I really want to express my appreciation to those who took the time to vote for it. I had no idea when I asked that you would have to jump through a bunch of hoops to register and what not.

After I got the article off my desk I went to work on the images I took yesterday. I was right, there are some keepers. Here's one with a little potential.



In the afternoon we marched up the mountain for a couple of hours for exercise and a little fresh air. The view down into the valley was beautiful, nothing new there.

Someone sent me the image below. Sadly, I think it is a valid social comment.

©Kinsey Barnard Photography