It vamoosed before I could even get to my camera, but early on Sunday morning we had the first sighting of a groundhog. As always after their hibernation, it looked thin and rather pathetic, all the more in pouring snow. It scurried off quickly, ignoring peanuts that would have provided a handy snack.
Groundhogs do emerge in March, but we’ve never before seen one this early.
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When I checked the forecast on Saturday night, earlier predictions of snow had been cancelled, but there it was Sunday morning, filling in the gaps that had been opened up by Saturday’s warm sunshine.
While weather forecasting is even more unreliable now than it was, it is safe to say that our scene will change radically in the coming week with temperatures soaring, even if it does not rain every day, as suggested.
One thing is certain: It will be wet, even if only from the melt.
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Just as well we took advantage of an absolutely splendid Friday.
Our meander having taken us over the state line into Vermont, we decided to come back along scenic River Road from Arlington.
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It was only last year that we’d finally got around to exploring this alternate route which follows the southern bank of the Battenkill River for a short distance.
The river runs through a very pretty valley.
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In the drought last year, the Battenkill was reduced to a trickle but if we receive only some of the predicted rain, added to snow melt, it could easily burst its banks.
Riverbanks are interesting and attractive but not a good place for an abode.
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A merganser and his sleepy mate bobbed about in the freezing water.
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River birches cast their shadows on unblemished snow.
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Safely up the slope, away from the river, a lovely place to live.
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White barked trees stood out proudly against the deep blue sky.
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Lots of horses and some tiny donkeys live here.
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A quiet valley off the beaten path.
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It was good to see it in its winter configuration and it was a perfect place to enjoy that gorgeous day.
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More may yet fall before we’re done, yet once the current snow cover melts away in this coming week, we will not see its like until next Winter.
Yes, I have really enjoyed it!
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But Spring will bring all sorts of different delights.
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What a lovely ride! It is as if your winter is almost at its most beautiful towards the end of the season. I think the groundhogs came to see how long the winter would still be – and then got a fright with all the snow and quickly returned to their warm burrows!
Tiny donkeys would be a must-see. I would take them some carrots. We have had our first really nice day here since last October. 17C/63F in the warm sunshine, lots of blue in the sky, a gentle breeze, and NO RAIN! Let’s hope that continues.
Best wishes, Pete.
I have certainly enjoyed your snow! Thank you for the beautiful pictures.