One of the benefits of living so close to nature is the ability to witness the ever present and ever changing natural landscape. Taking time to smell the roses, or in this case to view the effects of a quick spring snow storm enrich my life.
Category Archives: Weather
Sun ‘n Snow
Look, no weeds! I guess with -12F morning there wouldn’t be any plants either…
Transylvanian Evening
Last night at dusk there was a big fog that came over the area.
They’re coming out
After our long cold spell, now that it’s warmed up, the animals seem to want to get out of confinement. This occurs at our discretion, or not, in case of the goats that now can just jump over the fence due to the rising bedding height. And when goats get out, nothing is safe. They will climb on and try eating almost anything, even if it’s to their own detriment. It appears goats and humans have a shared weakness…
Ice is less dense than water
A tidbit of information stuck in my head from some previous learning experience is that solid H2O is less dense than liquid H2O. This defies the normal physical properties of most substances where the solid form is more dense than its corresponding liquid form. This is not only significant in the case of water it is critical for life in these colder parts. If ice were more dense than water, the ice would sink to the bottom of the lake or stream and would not only cause flooding but would eliminate the living space and climate of all the creatures still living in the water, including fish. One of the simple but profound evidences of the creation and a Creator.
Animals and Winter
We’ve recently had some colder weather and I’ve noticed that the different species seem to take in stride the temperatures swings. I’m amazed that with the same “covering” they adapt so well.
And the ducks amaze me, hanging out in the freezing cold water…
It seems as long as the cows and horses have enough to eat they stay warm and happy.
High “Tunnel”
For those of you unfamiliar with the term “high tunnel”, this is what we call the unheated plastic covered hoop houses that many would refer to as greenhouses. Among growers, greenhouses typically have automated heating and/or cooling thus differentiating them from the more simple high tunnels. High tunnels are one of our primary tools to extend the growing season in our less than ideal climate.
During the winter months, especially during or after a snow storm the high tunnels take on a true “tunnel” form.
Blizzard Conditions
All the talk about the strange non-winter weather was resolved today as we experienced moments of true blizzard conditions.
We didn’t really get that much snow but from the perspective of the animals that are outside in this, I’m sure it feels like winter.
Winter Has Arrived (or the farming party is over)
Although this is not our first snow of the season, this is looking quite serious. Not to complain, we have had several unseasonably warm November days as of late. I was layering up in the mornings only to be down to a t-shirt by mid-day. It’s no coincidence that with the snow comes more time to focus on other things, like creating and maintaining a new blog…