Poltrack Blog

If you can't walk on your driveway without spike crampons on your shoes then you probably shouldn't be driving. We did not get the 50 degree temperatures that were predicted. It rained all day as the temperatures hovered around the freezing point. The power went off for a couple of hours but thankfully it was all over by 4 PM when the sun appeared and lit up the ice coated hills. Ice on my Japanese Maple leaves Thankfully the ice didn't get any thicker than this The sun returned in the late afternoon I took a stroll to the Smithville Reservoir View of the flood control dam at the Smithville Reservoir Water in all its forms, clouds, water and ice

The wild temperature variations of the last two weeks have produced some interesting conditions on our rivers, lakes and ponds. We take our morning walk by the Smithville Reservoir, the flood control dam along the Souhegan River. when the water level dropped after the warm rains, the ice broke into some impressive sheets. So far we have avoided the flooding seen in other towns such as Peterborough and New Boston , but winter is not over yet. The ice ring on the tree indicates the water level at the peak of the rains Parker stands in front of one of the icebergs Blue Ice Great sounds from the ice as the sheets move It was very difficult to traverse this section, a combination of thin and thick ice. Next time I'll bring my Stabilicers. Is it Spring yet?

I had a nice lunch with my Mom at the Northeast Cafe in New Boston, NH. As we dined we watched large chunks of ice flow by in the raging Piscataquog River . It occurred to me that somewhere they were going to get jammed up. I didn't have to travel far downstream to find the spot. This was a result of our crazy New England weather. First a blizzard, followed by subzero temperatures, rain, fog and springlike thaw. This is just the start of the story, the ice is still gathering and another cold snap is predicted. Looking downstream (Route 13 in background) while standing on The Todd Bridge presented a field of large ice chunks. A number of people had gathered to look at a beaver dislodged (pun intended) by the gathering ice. I was too late to see it. As I stood on the bridge the water was beginning to creep over the roadway This shed was being flooded Looking up stream, those speeding ice chunks kept coming.

Brrr, we are the midst of a deep freeze with temperatures in the single digits (Fahrenheit). I don't know how the birds manage, but I make sure they have food, suet and water. This little guy has a strategy of fluffing up his feathers for insulation I am thrilled to have these visitors just as I'm beginning to read the book Ravens in Winter I'm raving mad about ravens This nuthatch likes the suet The defroster is working and the birds can get a drink One of several woodpeckers A frequent visitor Some color for winter   www.poltrack.net

I went back through my photos looking for photos taken on December 23rd  which is the official date of Festivus , I was looking for images that would fit the theme of Festivus , a holiday for the rest of us . There were no images of aluminum poles, airing of grievances or feats of strength in my catalog but I did find these from Dec 23, 2011 which I took at during our morning walk at Smithville Reservoir. A lot of people walk their dogs along the path we take on our walk. Look at these blue eyes. Not so far from being a wolf is she? It was just beginning to snow on that morning  Where has all the color gone?   www.poltrack.net

There are 4 corners in our path around the sun, the vernal equinox, simmer solstice, autumnal equinox and the winter solstice.They all have their own qualities and mark transition points. The Summer Solstice gives us the longest period of sunshine, the sun is high, shadows are short and summer has arrived (Jun 21) The Winter Solstice gives us the  longest night of the year, the sun is low in the sky and shadows reach across the landscape. It is tolerable because the sun returns after this date  (Dec 21)   www.poltrack.net

Some photos taken on Dec 12th, 2008 after a night of freezing rain, no power and crashing trees. Angelika & John Weber were prepared, they had wood and a generator What a mess, many closed roads Need an ice scraper  Fox Farm Road Bob Kicaid got a direct hit on his pickup and lost a screen house I still miss having this Dolgo crab apple tree Bob Kincaid assesses the damage to his truck Ouch   www.poltrack.net

It was a wonderfully warm day on Sunday and I took the opportunity to snowshoe along the Piscataquog River with my sister in New Boston. Mill Pond Conservation Area Oops, someone lost a hat Susan enjoying the warm weather Susan in the middle of the footbridge that spans the Piscataquog River The trail markers are numbered to assist rescue personnel to locate injured hikers Great day for a hike Ice floes on the Piscataquog Bridge A hole in the river Piscataquog River

A fond farewell to Winter Storm Marcus. They are already predicting another storm for this weekend. Yikes. what a year. Thanks for the calories, really enjoy this A Chickadee ponders his (her?) environment Could this possibly be a sign of Spring? Red bellied Woodpecker gives me the eye Weird name because his belly is not red, just his head Getting deep out there Along Taylor Road Property is now owned by Field of Dreams From the 2010 archives - Faith and Lynda doing some maple sugaring