We haven’t had much snow this winter, but there has been enough to ‘top-off’ the rooster.
The climate here in Southern Oregon along the Upper Applegate River is worth crowing about, however. Mild winters are hemmed in by colorful falls and warm springs. The summer can get a tad warm at times, but they are mainly tolerable. Only the seemingly endless fires of August and September are a royal pain in the derrière. Pardon my French.
What snow we do get is always an invitation to go for a walk. I like to see what animals have left their tracks for me to peruse and to admire the beauty of the freshly fallen snow. And, of course, my camera goes along. It insists. As a result, you are pretty much guaranteed to get my annual snow post. I feel obligated. (grin) So here it is!
If the rooster seemed cold, imagine what the frog my brother bought for our bird bath turned deer watering hole was feeling. And believe me, the deer were not happy that their spring was frozen solid.I always start my snow walk by looking out from our patio at the distant mountains, if they aren’t socked in. Peggy and I hiked around the now white Red Buttes last summer as part of my journey down the PCT.Then I check out other views from the patio. This is looking down across the hidden Applegate River through our white oaks at Douglas firs across the way. Another view across the river canyon with the sun peaking through. Having satisfied myself that things are beautiful out front, I walk up our road to the Rogue River National Forest that forms the back boundary of our property. White oaks provided dramatic silhouettes from the road. And a snowy wonderland up close.We call this old fellow that lives in the National Forest the Lord of the Rings tree. We’re convinced that elves and hobbits find it a pleasant place to hang out.Different trees hold the snow in different ways. This is the Douglas fir ‘look.’And this is a ponderosa pine.A closer look at the ponderosa with its snow.Twisting and turning white oak branches covered in snow always provide a photo op.Group shot! The short guys are up front.And I will close today with this one featuring white oaks and a ponderosa pine.
NEXT POST: I’ve been working hard at going through and categorizing and culling out my umpteen thousand Burning Man photos. Assuming I finish, it will be fun to go through and highlight some of the better ones. I’ve created 12 different categories!
Wanderer, writer, photographer and activist. I've now settled in Southern Oregon. 1.8 million acres of national forest are out the backdoor and the beautiful Applegate River is out the front door. I like travel, reading, history and wild places. I am married to the lovely, funny, bright Peggy.
Something about snow changes the entire landscape, even when you’re so familiar with it. Such beauty here. It is a good idea to look at how the trees hold the snow differently. Do you know if those are white oak or Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana)? I want to plant some Oregon White Oak here because it’s an indigenous tree. My property is 97% hemlock and maple.
It’s growing all over this part of southern Oregon, Crystal. I asked it if it was garryana and it gave me a strange look, but I’m assuming it is. We are too low for hemlock here but have maple, madrone, ponderosa pine, the white oak, and Douglas fir. –Curt
Madrone is another one I want to plant here. Such a remarkable and beautiful tree. Doug fir! In the latest copy of the Cherokee newsletter (I’m the editor), one of our contributors wrote about what to do with the needles. I’ll send you the .pdf when it goes to print in case you want to try any of her recipes.
Wow, eating Douglas fir. That would be interesting. I’m not sure that even the deer that hang out here do. Now Madrone, it’s a go-to tree in the winter when other food is scarce. The deer strip the young plants. We have a beautiful madrone in out back yard that provides welcome shade in the summer. So you are the editor of the Cherokee newsletter. Sound like fun, plus valuable to me. Good for you, Crystal. –Curt
If deer eat Madrone, I’ll have to be sure and protect anything I plant here. These deer eat everything! I sent a copy of the newsletter. It’s the newsletter for the Portland-based satellite group.
Ours definitely eat Madrone, especially young tender Madrone. Some type of fence for the young plants would be in order. On the other hand, tastes vary per herd. So who knows. –Curt
The storms keep rolling in here, Andrew. Storm warnings are up again today. Seems that there is a front common down from the north and one coming up from the south, meeting at our house.
Hottest winter day since records began here Curt, second day in a row. I played golf and used sun screen. Mad. Sounds like you will have to get through some bad weather!
What gorgeous shots, Curt! You’ve got quite a view, and that is absolutely a Lord of the Rings Tree. It was a great year for snow- up north of you here we had an awful lot of panic about our “snowmageddon,” but it was gorgeous- for at least the first couple of days 😉
We’ve had 3 occasions of snow here near the beginning of this stormy cycle. I almost didn’t get up in time to see any of it. Then again part of Hwy 101 decided to take a dive. It’s closed now between Brookings and Gold Beach. Same place that’s been slumping an inch almost daily all of a sudden dropped a good two feet, or more. I’m loving this series of storms. Rain one day, sun the next. Rinse and repeat.
About the same number we’ve seen, Gunta. Probably the same storms. I expect we will see more. Ouch on 101. Sounds like Highway 1 going down the California Coast. Winter rains are almost a guarantee it will be slumping somewhere! –Curt
This is what I consider perfect snow: enough to decorate and please the eye, but not so much to make life difficult (or even miserable). I especially like the photo with the sun peeking through — it has that sweet, ethereal look that winter sometimes has.
Yep, snow storms don’t get much better, Linda. We did get more snow the next day, but I had already done my annual snow post. Gentle light seems to enhance anything. –Curt
After feet and feet of snow here in Tahoe, I’m slightly envious of your milder winter — which is equally beautiful! Lucky you to live in such a gorgeous spot!
I remember snow like you’ve had this year, Kelly. For a while in the late 70s and early 80s I spent a lot of time in the winter at a cabin near Donner Summit at Serene Lakes. The snow looked like what you are facing now! I wake up every morning smiling because of the beauty of where we live. –Curt
We always had a second story entrance in the winter, Kelly. We’d park and then dig steps into the road’s snowbank to get up high enough to enter the cabin. One time, the cabin almost disappeared under the snow and we had to tunnel down to the second floor entrance. We also used to put bamboo poles in front of and behind our vehicles so the snowplow wouldn’t eat them if they disappeared under snow overnight. –Curt
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42 thoughts on “Not Enough Snow to Crow About… But It’s Still Beautiful”
Animalcouriers
The frog looks rather perfect! There might not be much snow but it sure looks cold.
Curt Mekemson
The frog was glad it had an umbrella, AC! More snow today. We’ll see if it hangs around long enough to accumulate. –Curt
ralietravels
You live in a beautiful part of the world in any season.
Curt Mekemson
Except for fire season, Ray! 🙂
Crystal M. Trulove
Something about snow changes the entire landscape, even when you’re so familiar with it. Such beauty here. It is a good idea to look at how the trees hold the snow differently. Do you know if those are white oak or Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana)? I want to plant some Oregon White Oak here because it’s an indigenous tree. My property is 97% hemlock and maple.
Curt Mekemson
It’s growing all over this part of southern Oregon, Crystal. I asked it if it was garryana and it gave me a strange look, but I’m assuming it is. We are too low for hemlock here but have maple, madrone, ponderosa pine, the white oak, and Douglas fir. –Curt
Crystal M. Trulove
Madrone is another one I want to plant here. Such a remarkable and beautiful tree. Doug fir! In the latest copy of the Cherokee newsletter (I’m the editor), one of our contributors wrote about what to do with the needles. I’ll send you the .pdf when it goes to print in case you want to try any of her recipes.
Curt Mekemson
Wow, eating Douglas fir. That would be interesting. I’m not sure that even the deer that hang out here do. Now Madrone, it’s a go-to tree in the winter when other food is scarce. The deer strip the young plants. We have a beautiful madrone in out back yard that provides welcome shade in the summer. So you are the editor of the Cherokee newsletter. Sound like fun, plus valuable to me. Good for you, Crystal. –Curt
Crystal M. Trulove
If deer eat Madrone, I’ll have to be sure and protect anything I plant here. These deer eat everything! I sent a copy of the newsletter. It’s the newsletter for the Portland-based satellite group.
Curt Mekemson
Ours definitely eat Madrone, especially young tender Madrone. Some type of fence for the young plants would be in order. On the other hand, tastes vary per herd. So who knows. –Curt
Andrew Petcher
No snow for us so far this year Curt. The weather is very unseasonal, it seems to think that it is May already!
Curt Mekemson
The storms keep rolling in here, Andrew. Storm warnings are up again today. Seems that there is a front common down from the north and one coming up from the south, meeting at our house.
Andrew Petcher
Hottest winter day since records began here Curt, second day in a row. I played golf and used sun screen. Mad. Sounds like you will have to get through some bad weather!
Curt Mekemson
As I write, the snow is coming down in giant flakes. Beautiful, but…
Chips Off the Old Block
Beautiful! I love the frog. Perfect!
Curt Mekemson
Its umbrella worked! 🙂
Chips Off the Old Block
It’s adorable too
GP Cox
Beautiful countryside in your neck of the woods! 🙂 I think we all agree that the frog is adorable. Nature did a great job that!
Curt Mekemson
Hard to beat mother nature as an artist, G. 🙂
GP Cox
You’ve sure got that right!!
Christie
Your patio is definitely a great place to be on, no matter if it’s summer or winter. No wonder why the little frog is now sticking around 🙂
Curt Mekemson
That it is Christie!
M.B. Henry
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a big fan of snow, but oh my does it make for beautiful pictures! Well done 🙂
Curt Mekemson
Thanks, MB. I like it in small doses. 🙂
spanishwoods
Just really beautiful images Curt.
Curt Mekemson
Thanks Sylvia. Hard to go wrong with fresh snow! –Curt
Anne Clare
What gorgeous shots, Curt! You’ve got quite a view, and that is absolutely a Lord of the Rings Tree. It was a great year for snow- up north of you here we had an awful lot of panic about our “snowmageddon,” but it was gorgeous- for at least the first couple of days 😉
Curt Mekemson
Ah, the first couple of days syndrome. I’m with you on that, Anne. Big flakes are falling now. Our deck is begging to look white. 🙂 –Curt
Anne Clare
Wohoo! Well, perhaps you will have some more photo ops!
Curt Mekemson
We did. I was tempted to do another post, but decided that the 100th celebration of the Grand Canyon took precedence. 🙂
Anne Clare
Oooh, is it 100 this year? Hmmm…we’d considered driving south in the fall… 🙂
Curt Mekemson
Must do, must do, Anne. 🙂
Gunta
We’ve had 3 occasions of snow here near the beginning of this stormy cycle. I almost didn’t get up in time to see any of it. Then again part of Hwy 101 decided to take a dive. It’s closed now between Brookings and Gold Beach. Same place that’s been slumping an inch almost daily all of a sudden dropped a good two feet, or more. I’m loving this series of storms. Rain one day, sun the next. Rinse and repeat.
Curt Mekemson
About the same number we’ve seen, Gunta. Probably the same storms. I expect we will see more. Ouch on 101. Sounds like Highway 1 going down the California Coast. Winter rains are almost a guarantee it will be slumping somewhere! –Curt
Gunta
Just back from a trip to Coos Bay! Lots of slumping going on in quite a number of places.
Curt Mekemson
And the rains aren’t over yet! I’ll have to plan our next trip to the coast carefully. –Curt
shoreacres
This is what I consider perfect snow: enough to decorate and please the eye, but not so much to make life difficult (or even miserable). I especially like the photo with the sun peeking through — it has that sweet, ethereal look that winter sometimes has.
Curt Mekemson
Yep, snow storms don’t get much better, Linda. We did get more snow the next day, but I had already done my annual snow post. Gentle light seems to enhance anything. –Curt
CompassAndCamera
After feet and feet of snow here in Tahoe, I’m slightly envious of your milder winter — which is equally beautiful! Lucky you to live in such a gorgeous spot!
Curt Mekemson
I remember snow like you’ve had this year, Kelly. For a while in the late 70s and early 80s I spent a lot of time in the winter at a cabin near Donner Summit at Serene Lakes. The snow looked like what you are facing now! I wake up every morning smiling because of the beauty of where we live. –Curt
CompassAndCamera
If you’ve lived in Serene Lakes, then you’ve REALLY lived through some winters! That place gets hammered! And is also very beautiful. 🙂
Curt Mekemson
We always had a second story entrance in the winter, Kelly. We’d park and then dig steps into the road’s snowbank to get up high enough to enter the cabin. One time, the cabin almost disappeared under the snow and we had to tunnel down to the second floor entrance. We also used to put bamboo poles in front of and behind our vehicles so the snowplow wouldn’t eat them if they disappeared under snow overnight. –Curt