When I watch the news and see the drought, flooding or huge snowfalls people have to suffer, there's really not much to tell. We've got winter. The ground's frozen. We have no snow and it's been dry for weeks. Most days are cloudy, some days have been sunny. We're on a camp fire ban and have had several brush fires. None managed to develop into forest fires though. We're usually allowed small camp fires from Oct. 14th 'till April 14th, but not this year. The temps have been between -4°C/24°F up to 8°C/46°F. We've had a couple of storms and a bit of gale force winds between the storms, but they didn't do much damage. The weather forecast is also issuing pollen warnings now. I've never heard that in mid-February before. We've got daylight from 08.30 until 17.30-18.00 or thereabouts, so things are looking brighter. We had a lovely visitor the other day, a great-spotted woodpecker, Dendrocopos major. I think it's the female since there's no red on her head. I photographed it with max zoom and then severely cropped the photo, hence the lousy quality: This is the small river by the stable. Not much water under our bridge: The horses are enjoying themselves though. They get to go in the grass paddocks, they don't have to wear rugs and they can enjoy each other's company: The grass isn't growing so we feed them hay. Truls and Gabriella are good friends so they share: I've pruned the apple trees. The pussy willows have started and I've noticed that the snowdrops are up, but I'm not declaring spring season open just yet. Being a pessimistic realist I guess we'll have our winter shortly. We've often had our worst snowfalls in March. Silly time for it, but what can we do?` If I sound a bit down in the dumps it's because I am. I don't like Tuesdays and I feel February is a month of Tuesdays which lasts at least twice as long as any other month of the year. Edit: South Norway has plenty of snow!
Beautiful pictures of your stream & the beasties. They do look very companionable together. I do understand the doldrums of February. Here in the states, we talk of 5 seasons: spring summer fall winter and February. Is that said in Norway? BTW I had no idea that Norway would be as warm as it looks in your photos. Running water in February? Amazing!
Droopy, absolute fool-proof remedy for the February doldrums--hug a horse! A poet said that April was the cruelest month. He was wrong, since it is February. Better times are coming, and they are just around the corner. Go kiss Truls on the nose!
Hey CM, we don't say that in Norway. Or rather, didn't. Now we do. Norway is a very looong country. The north-eastern part usually has very cold winter. In the rest of the country it varies a lot. We've had warmer winters than this, but we've also had colder. Living on the coast has taught us to never expect anything but be prepared for everything weather wise. ;-) Mg, I hug my horses and a few other people's horses on a daily basis. I also smother my family with hugs, and it does help a lot. As I hit the "Submit" button on my post it started raining. Now it's pouring down outside. I guess that by this time tomorrow we're allowed camp fires again.
Lovely photos Droopy, your horses are beautiful. Enjoy the rain wish I can have some rain here too!!!
February is usually a zombie month, not quite winter, not quite spring. Between two states Truls and Gabriella are always beautiful Droopy. I've never hugged a horse but have hugged several cows It actually does help the mood.
Thanks CM. KK, I predict that in a month or two I'm complaining about way too much rain and will try to find a way to send it to you. Thanks Frank. Zombie-month, that's a good one. Cow, horse, cat, dog, they're all furry and warm, and warm hugs help lift the mood.
Super photographs Droopy. You did well to capture the Great Spotted Woodpecker as they can be a tad flighty. We've had so much rain here that I think my whole garden is becoming a bog - you're welcome to some if you want it!! Most of our rivers have burst their banks and the fields have all developed lakes. I feel for the farmers who want to get in early spring crops. Truls and Gabriella look in fine fettle and you can give each an extra hug from me. Their colours are a great foil for each other aren't they? I hope you get some rain soon to help swell that little river. Did I mention that you can have some of ours?
Well then Droopy, it looks like we're in that terrible month again where each day counts for two. Well, I hope that the weather goes one way or the other for you and that it will be the way that you want it to go. Those piccies this time were quite nice to see. It was good that you could capture that woodpecker on film. The one that used to haunt my lottie has not been around for quite some time now. I have not seen him nor have I heard him. Perhaps he got indigestion when he ate all the larvae out of my bee hotel and decided not to revisit the restaurant. Who knows. Anyway, you must be pretty proud of that decent foto. BTW--is that innocent little stream the one that flooded so seriously last year (or the year before)? It looks pretty gentle now, doesn't it. I would like to spend 45 minutes or an hour turning over stones in it and seeing what was living in it. Your two ponies are looking spiffy. I notice that their fur is not so....furry this year. Have you shorn them or has it simply not grown so thickly? What great news though--that it began to rain there. That is really good news in all respects. Oké then kiddo, thanks again for this nice posting. Next time how about showing some of your blooming plants. Seeya.
Droopy, I dread February too! It has been extra cold and extra snowy this year so I am hoping for an early spring more than ever!
Thanks eileen, and thanks for offering us your rain. We had a good 30 cm in the last 24 hours so I think we'll be ok for a while now. I'll make certain both Truls and Gabriella know the extra hugs are from you. Sjoerd, the poor woodpecker probably realized that your larvae came with a curse. I hope it stays away. Ours is very welcome back since it only works on rotting tree stumps. I like to watch them. There are plenty near the stables. We've spotted a dwarf one and a green one. I'm thrilled every time. I'm not hard to please, am I? You're quite right about the little river. It flooded our paddocks and did quite a bit of damage the year before last. We don't want that again. My ponies aren't shorn. They've got rather thick fur but it's nothing like last winter. Gabriella's shedding now, so we're all wearing clothes with white fur trim. Netty, shared misery is half misery. I do hope your spring will be early. You deserve it!
Hi Droopy,..that is a beautiful picture of of Truls and Gabriella,..they look so well groomed and spotless clean,..oh you have rain at last,..delighted for you,..grass will grow horses will be happy.
Took this picture in the Sierra mountains. The woodpecker was just to fast and big. ( photo / image / picture from Donna S's Garden )
