Cooler January 15

As the sun came over the horizon and into the trees the winds were calm but now, a few hours later, a breeze has sprung up making a wind chill of -12 C (10.4 F). Tonight the wind chill predicted to drop to -20 C (-4.0 F). We don't have any snow in the forecast however, and the temperatures are to be above freezing again later this week. It continues to be a warm January.

Below are two more of Églantine's Wild Cucumber skeleton photos. They are interesting at this time of year.

Saturday January 14

I'm a bit late with this post because due to a wrong turn, or two, our section of the running group added a bit to our Saturday long run. We ended up running/walking/running for 21.5 km instead of the 18 on the schedule. It was the longest run for one of our group and the longest I had done since last summer. For some reason I was a bit tired after the run. When Églantine and I did our afternoon walk with Calla I did not have the energy to take photos. Fortunately, Églantine had lots of energy yet as she had not participated in the run. She got some excellent photos during our walk.



Here are more new fungi growing on small tree branches.



Strawberry plants stay green all winter but this plant is starting to put up new growth. I think it will be in for a shock as temperatures are down to -7 this morning (Sunday).

January 13 Warm Spell

We've lost all of our snow. The temperatures have gone to near record highs. Mushrooms are coming up. . .





Three Shrikes and you're out. But this was only one Northern Shrike three times so I'm not out.



Temperatures went "down" to +3 C last night and were up to +10 C for over five hours this afternoon. Crazy weather!!!

Tracks

I put together some of the tracks that we've photographed and identified. Unfortunately they are not to scale. Perhaps I can add a ruler next time so one can see the relative sizes. That really is necessary for some of the tracks.

Another Warm Winter Day

It's too early for a January thaw because to thaw it first has to freeze. The temperature was up to + 10 yesterday and only went down to + 4 last night. This is very strange January weather!



On the other hand, it was nice to see the sun this morning!

Here is Églantine's photo of a racoon's track on "ice." As you can see, the ice is not very solid. I am surprised that the racoon did not fall through.



And below is a bud from a Sweet Virburnum (aka Nannyberry or Viburnum lentago). It is already thinking spring and starting to loose it's outer winter cover. I am hoping it's a bad idea and that we really do have winter yet.