Arctic blast

Yesterday evening, we knew we were enjoying the last of the warm sunshine during our sunset hike for an arctic blast was jetting toward us. Sleek R enjoyed the kiss of warm sunshine on his fur.

The sun set in a subtle glow with orange clouds hovering over a peak that our pack climbed last summer. I can only imagine how harsh the conditions are up there right now.

It was warm and calm on the July day when we climbed it. We sat in the sun on the summit to soak up the views. I needed this photo today to remind that the sweet days of summer are ahead of us!

While the air reached into the 40's yesterday, the forecasts for the next two nights go as low as -40°F. Oh my, a major challenge is coming for us and for the wildlife. I've stocked the birdfeeders and heated bird bath. At least we can help our feathered friends.

The animals near our house were on the move over the past 24 hours. The coyote with a leg wound (you can't see it in this photo - but it appears to be healing) visited our clearing in the middle of yesterday afternoon.

Another coyote departed on a mission in the wee hours of the morning.
I've noticed in my coyote, bobcat, mountain lion, and bear wildlife camera photos that canines prefer to trot while cats and bears prefer to walk when traveling through their homeranges. The coyotes in the above photos are trotting - which means that each pair of diagonal limbs (e.g., right front and left hind) moves in sync. I think that it's interesting that different species seem to prefer to use different gaits when patrolling their territories.

This bobcat, photographed last summer in the same spot as the two coyotes above, is walking. You can tell because his left forelimb and right hindlimb are not in sync.

As the temperatures started to plummet early this morning, a rabbit hightailed it across the heavily used carnivore path, doubtless trying to avoid the fate of the rabbit in the bobcat's jaws shown above.

This morning, K and I snowbiked but I took few photos because my fingers froze against the metal camera. At the time of sunrise, K stood in the gray world atop a boulder at a spot that normally has a tremendous view.

We kept moving to stay warm. K romped through the snow, and rapidly built up frost on her face.

She and I shared a tete-a-tete atop Hug Hill. Oh how I love being in the forest with my chocolate lab, even when it's painfully cold.

I hesitated to ride too far but I decided to "try" a little riding solo. It turned out that I was dressed plenty warmly. I also carried a down jacket in my backpack in case of emergency. In the end, I was glad to be out in the world as it was transformed by our arctic blast.

Tomorrow will be a bigger challenge. I love challenges!

To those of you who expressed worry about my predilection for taking on challenges in the forest, there is one small consolation. I carry a device called a "Spot" that allows me to use GPS satellites to send a "911" message that includes my GPS coordinates. So, if I'm ever in serious trouble, I can use that option. But, I would never use it just because I'm tired (like the other day). It's reserved for true emergencies like a broken leg that prevents me from moving.

Here's to winter's return! May our fire keep burning warmly and our wildlife survive the next few nights. Let's all stay warm!