Wintery

Snowy Egret in the backyard

It's been raining!  After about 4 years of drought we are finally having a "normal" winter. Snowy caps up on the Sierra mountains, rain, wind and green grass here in the valley.  I heard yesterday that the Sacramento river might be approaching flood levels after this weekend.  And while the grape vines, nut trees and my humble little garden sleep, there is still plenty going on around here. 
The migrating birds are a joy to watch, especially the grey Sandhill cranes that arrive in this area every January.  Our town celebrates with a bird "festival" that includes hiking out to the nature preserve for photography, wine tastings and educational seminars.  I prefer to watch these long, gangly birds quietly by myself from the road.   They land by the hundreds to forage in a dairy pasture about a mile from my house. Their enormous wingspan and graceful movements are so fascinating. 

Just down from where the cranes hang out lives a very lively flock of goats.  Many new little babies were born in the last two weeks, and cries for their mama pierce the cold air.  I love the big Anatolian dogs that watch over them.  They go nuts if you get too close to their business, so I try and keep a polite distance with my camera.
I'm hoping to get out for a quick walk in between storms today.  There's a stew in the crock pot and I want to catch up on some unfinished projects this weekend.

 Gosh I just cringe when I find something old and unfinished in the cupboard.  Southbay shawlette started who-knows-when.   It's not going to make itself so I better get at it.