Big temp drop

In a period from Wednesday evening through most of Thursday, the hill experienced what was most likely the highest average wind speed in history across 18 hours. The temperature dropped 45 degrees in nine hours, but the woods stood up to the storm quite well. Walks over the previous two mornings showed many lovely scenes with very minimal storm damage. 

This huge yellow birch welcomed the rising sun yesterday morning. The temp was four degrees.

Bobcats/lynx don't mind the cold. When you see prints like this, you know you have wild felines in your woods.

Diagonal pine goes horizontal

That heavy snow early in the season gave a 30-degree lean to some pines. This one dropped thanks to  axe work this morning. It was a tough job, but the work season has just begun.

Shiny winter work

February has included a nice amount of sun, a rare winter treat. Axe work across a few days brought many scenes of birches shining in the bright light.

Roasted squash

The beginnings of Cheesy Butternut Squash Cavatappi Bake, thanks to a gourd provided by a neighbor. They grow amazingly beautiful squash!

Wacky winter returns

Heavy, wet snow with wind followed by 40+ degrees and lots of rain? That's winter in northern NH? This year such a pattern looks to continue tonight and tomorrow. Our latest wind storm dropped several trees, but left no serious damage to treasured oaks, birches, or sugar maples. The young oak in the photo below dodged a major hit from a falling red maple. The oak only lost a small branch low on the trunk.

Softwoods fared even worse in the last wind, which topped 50 miles an hour.

Closing out 2023

Another quiet end to a year on Hardwood Hermitage. 

Another big thaw

Here are two pictures taken exactly 24 hours apart: 12:42 p.m. on Sunday and Monday.  Yesterday we had temps of nearly 60 degrees, about 2 inches of rain, and a good deal of wind. The snow didn't have much of a chance. The overnight low only went down to 37 this morning. We are supposed to get some nice sun for days now. The solar panels will like that after being covered with snow for a while.  Also, notice in the distance the nice grove of birches standing tall. The concern about massive spring pole losses due to heavy snow thankfully turned out much better than initially expected.