Winter Forest

Douglas fir trees clad in a light dusting of snow. From Lostine Ridge in the Wallowa Mountains.

Mysterious Tracks In Snow

First I thought these were a small bird, but I quickly realized it was something different. I have seen a lot of different tracks in my career, and can usually surmise the source. This time, I am stumped.



Mole? I don't think so. The scale seems wrong and this creature was very active above the surface.



What makes the radiating pattern?



These were all over the place, in an open field right next to a bit of forest. It this is a small mammal (as I suspect), then it would be a prime target for birds of prey in this environment.



I need to call in the experts.

Cold Snap

The entire continent has been put into a deep freeze, and Oregon has not been spared. I traversed the 80 miles from Portland to the coast recently, and found highway 26 to be covered in ice for most of the route. There were plenty of SUV's in the ditch as I poked along at 35mph.

I made a point of keeping my schedule open enough to allow time to shoot in the snow.



The Coast Range pass is only 1600 feet, and in a typical winter it will get a dusting of snow for a week or two.



Seeing the snow pile up is a visual treat.







It's still snowing too....