We’ve had lot of weather drama this month –  ‘normal’ spring days mixed with hot summery temperatures and then, in the middle of the month, 21 inches of snow.   Even with days of warm temperatures, that much snow took more than a week to melt.

At the beginning of the month, when it seemed like spring had come, we had cold nights, but warm days and a lot of melting snow.

 

On some days we got a little light spring snow

 

There were lots of misty mornings

 

 

 

 

 

Center Valley from Indian Grass Point – March 6 – only a little snow left on north-facing Maple Ridge

 

The deer were enjoying it – these two were resting in one of our trails

 

They were reluctant to leave but eventually we got too close.

 

On one of the warmest days we saw our first moth of the year – The Infant – on March 9.

 

Another Infant showing off its bright orange hind wings

 

Mourning Cloak a few days later – a butterfly that overwinters as an adult

 

Then….snow…

 

We woke up to 20 inches, and it was still snowing.

 

The final total was about 21 inches of heavy wet snow.

 

The birds were hungry – a big flock of Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds sat in the trees near the house, and ate food the other birds dropped under the feeders.

 

We were snowbound for a few days, and even when Mike got out to the road, getting through the pile the plows had made was a big project.

 

Blooming willows and Red Osier Dogwood along the creek

 

Finally the last of the snow melted away.

 

In spite of all the weather disruptions, migrating birds have been arriving…..

I worried about the bluebirds, but they survived that cold week and now they’re calling everywhere.

 

Another bluebird.

 

In the last few days we’ve seen Brown Creepers

 

and Eastern Phoebes.

 

The first Pasqueflower – March 25

 

And another on March 30

 

American Hazelnut – male and female blossoms.  The male blossoms are in a catkin; the females are the tiny red styles at the tips of the buds.  The female blossoms are so tiny that I often miss seeing them.

 

Scarlet Cup Fungus

 

An odd fungus that I’ve never seen before – Dead Man’s Fingers.  It grows on decaying wood.

 

Aspen catkins

 

Pat’s Prairie