Light and shadow

Trees grant a great opportunity to stand in awe of nature. This huge sugar maple, near the northern lot line, somehow found the strength to start growing on a cold slope many, many years ago. This morning, with the temp way downhill at about 25 degrees, the buds in the crown undoubtedly relished some of the day's first solar rays. Light gives life. Soon the tree with be bursting with new leaves, which will give energy to this majestic being, a glorious ambassador for trees, the most amazing living things on the hill. 

 

Birchy walk

 

Total eclipse of the Hermitage

Hardwood Hermitage had about 30 seconds of totality in today's eclipse. It was a very memorable event shared with many people living on the hill. Appropriate snacks were ready, such as raisins, Sun Chips, Moon Pies, and Eclipse gum.

For more than two hours, the moon covered part of the sun. Totality took place at 3:29 pm. Birds were chirping wildly with the onset of what they thought was early sunset. We did not get totally dark, but the shadowy look created an eerie feeling for a few minutes. Here is the house and telescope very close to the moment of totality, although a bit blurry.

Proof of the short blockage of the sun can be seen in the chart of the day's solar production. We had almost a totally cloudless sky for the whole day, but the nosedive in solar energy took place as totality arrived.

Winter has sprung???!!!

Sixteen inches -- 30 percent of our snow for the season -- has fallen since the new season began. Yesterday's storm dropped more than a foot. HAPPY SPRING!!!

March rollercoaster

We had bare ground for a few days, then three inches of snow arrived early this week. This white stuff will be gone soon, because tomorrow will include sun and a high of 50+ degrees. Sun came out today, too, but the winter feel remains due to a cold wind. March always brings a rollercoaster of weather.

While walking today, some great birch scenes became evident thanks to the clear skies.

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.