While out on my walk today, I flushed a ptarmigan that had been lying low in the snow just off the trail. They’re beautiful birds, and I enjoy having them around the property when they grace us valley dwellers with their presence.

A cow moose and her calf have been hanging around as well. The willow off my deck has been thoroughly, if unevenly, trimmed. For some reason, they like to lay in the snow next to my wood pile. Which works well for me, since I only visit it once a week. That’s certainly more convenient than having them lay down on the trail to the outhouse.