Layers Of Snow

Even though it's still snowing here every day, the hens and chicks seed heads show above the layers of snow. Exactly how the ridges were formed in the snow on top of the stone wall is a bit of a mystery to me. A child's mittened hand could leave such a print on the edge of the snow but there are no children here. This wall faces north so it gets no direct sunlight. Heat sufficient to melt the edge of the snow might have resulted from reflected sunlight.

We had to go out today, and as we passed the sumac trees in the fence line along the lane, a beautiful red tail hawk left his perch, swooping low then flying to a perch in the top of a nearby ancient apple tree. We seldom get such a close look at this majestic bird with his perfect red flared tail. The presence of a hawk usually brings the full chorus of crows but today this hawk was alone.

Just a single plant catalog, High Country Gardens, arrived in the mailbox today. It's a great looking catalog, but I usually think twice about shipping plants from a place so far away. One might think it just added one more to the ever growing stack on the coffee table. Instead, our first plant order of 2010 was completed today. Why? For several years Ed has been looking L.philadelphicum and today he found it. A few more choice specimens were chosen to make a total of 10 . Paid for today, our plants will be shipped the week of May 3. Ed finally owns the native wood lily he's been searching for. They are just spending the winter in Santa Fe.