The most capable off road recovery crew...

in red rock canyon country is Trailmater Offroad Recovery and that’s a fact. While I wasn’t in need of their rescue services today, they are conservationists at heart and promote the protection of endangered species in the high desert. So I bought a t-shirt in support of their efforts to protect the endangered Diamond-billed Rock Pecker that was hunted to near extinction due to the damage they cause by drilling holes in the surrounding sandstone.

The recovery fleet of purpose-built wreckers parked in front of the shop on US Highway 191 south of Moab: Old Blue, Trailmater and Mini-Mater (left to right).

Show your support! NO commission earned: T-shirt and Sticker.

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.

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 noisy aerial invasion...

of the feeding stations is occurring by a nomadic gang of jays. The image below captures only a few of the blue brutes and the regulars don’t stand a chance when they’re around.

Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus).