Spring on the hill

Monday morning follies.... Spring is coming to 1800 feet.

First, here are some snowdrops that even two days ago were sticking up out of the snow. They are happy where they are and are spreading.


I went down to the pond to see the extent of destruction by the beavers. In a word: a lot. This is the highest we have ever seen the pond. If you look carefully, you can see that it or they have chomped down every single birch tree but one that has a cage around its trunk. The others did, too, but the snow covered them up.

Here is a close-up of a tree that didn't make it. That tree went down a day or two ago.

And here is a tree they worked on but didn't finish off. It will probably die.

Given that the pond is so high, a pair of mallard ducks and, alas, Canada geese, have taken up residence. This goose flew right at me and then swam around nearby.

Then its mate came over. I thought they were being friendly.

But when I went to the other side of the pond to look at the massacre up close, the male goose came flying over, right at me, and then started to hiss and and honk at me. So not only have they found our pond but they have settled in and have a nest. Any further inspection of beaver damage has to be put off until later.

[17.00: I still cannot upload photos so will put this up and try to get the photos in later.]