the day after the storm. Cold. Bright. Silent. Absolutely magnificent.
Here are several expansive views. Click on images to expandify.
Winter finally arrives...
in Castle Valley with nearly five inches (~12 cm) of snow falling overnight. What a difference a day, and night, makes.
Given the shock and hardship this is presenting the local birds, the daily grain allotment has been doubled at the feeding stations.
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta).
AFTERNOON UPDATE: The sun comes out after an additional several inches of snowfall. It’s very nice to have a helpful neighbor with the proper tools. I’m certain he’s having fun.
Another spectacular midwinter day...
in the most beautiful back yard.
Slow progress is being made...
in replacing the culvert beneath Castle Valley Drive, now three weeks into the two month-long project. Castle Creek still flows through the existing corrugated steel culvert, now fully exposed, while footings are prepared alongside for the new arch culvert.
Phone and fiber optic utility lines dangle across the excavated work site.
The Wildman Cherokee Mini model rocket...
is my latest build and it soared to 1,035 feet (316 m) on its first flight under overcast skies today.
The somewhat translucent unpainted fiberglass Cherokee Mini model rocket revealing the Kevlar shock cord and parachute inside the airframe, racked on the launch rail and ready for its first flight.
Off it goes on an Aerotech F20 rocket motor on a flight lasting 81 seconds from liftoff to touchdown.
The slide out tailgate on the Bronco serves as a convenient workbench on which to prep rockets for flight.
This dry and mild winter...
has allowed me to ride nearly every day, steadily racking up the miles, now at 77% of the distance around the Earth at the equator since September 2020. That’s 19,174 miles or 30,860 kilometers!
Taking a break at Middle Earth on the singletrack today.
A very disappointing Chevy commercial...
despite all of the effort, noise and trail closures in early January, in my opinion, but hey, I drive a Ford Bronco!
Image credit: GM Authority.
Article and video here: Chevy Ad Stars Silverado ZR2, Country Singer Brooke Lee And Castle Rock: Video.
My previous blog post on the filming: Recreating the Chevy Impala commercial.
First at the breakfast buffet...
this morning, patiently waiting for service.
Immature Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii).
Like a noisy alarm clock...
a large flock of Pinyon Jays invades the feeders shortly after sunrise. Here are two individuals sitting in the sun among a flock of 80 or more.
Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus).
Bringing its ground game...
to the feeding stations this afternoon as my free range pet raptor tiptoes through the grass.
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii).
A midday moonrise...
at noon today with the dimly illuminated first quarter waxing Moon posing next to Castleton Tower.
The distinctive V-shaped black band...
across the vibrant yellow breast makes these birds appear to be always dressed for dinner.
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta).
This handsome accipiter...
just winked at me.
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii).
The transparent nictitating membrane closing over the eye.
Keep looking up...
when rockets are returning over the flight line. It was another fantastic and fun day at the state line with the gang from Colorado hurling projectiles at the sky.
My Nike Smoke Pro was just one of dozens of low-, medium- and high-powered rockets launched today.
The hydrogeologic study of Castle Valley...
by the Utah Geological Survey has been published and is now freely available to download. Most importantly, the report concludes: “Our major findings show that water-level trends in the valley-fill aquifer are stable, with little to no long-term decline.” That’s great news and not at all surprising.
Get your copy here, either in paper or digital format: UGS Special Study 176.
Areas of considerable danger...
exist on slopes above treeline that face north and east according to the Utah Avalanche Center. Strong winds can be seen blowing across the high summits in the La Sal Mountains creating dangerous cornices and wind slab conditions in the snowpack.
Jupiter rises next to the Tower...
at dusk and is presently at opposition, its closest approach to Earth in its orbit this year. The Gemini twins, Castor and Pollux, rise above The Rectory.
Ready...set...
go!
Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii).
Click on image to enlarginate.
The first valley floor snow...
this winter is occurring right now in Castle Valley, following nearly a half-inch (~13 mm) of rain earlier in the day.
A pair of Western Meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta) bickering in the snow.
The day after: Snowpack in the La Sal Mountains has risen to 79% of the historical median with 83 days to go to the median peak.
A winter storm is brewing...
that may bring snow and rain to the valley tomorrow. Here’s sunset this evening.
