Friday, 11:40 am: It’s snowing and not quite as cold as I expected, but then there’s always tomorrow. With about 2½ inches of snow, so far, it not quite enough to fire up our snowblower and clear our driveway and walking paths. Like the rest of the State, we’re expecting a major snow storm on Sunday. With the onset of freezing and snowy weather our dirt and gravel road has once again smoothed out. The potholes and washboard are filled in with ice and our road drives like a well-maintained paved highway.

A recovering Pine Grosbeak [Pinicola enucleator] - Photo by Ruth

On Wednesday a male Pine Grosbeak flew into our kitchen window and klonked his head and was dazed. Fortunately I was outside clearing snow [what else?] and managed to scoop him up and bring him inside where it was warm. I am not entirely certain he enjoyed my taste in music. After about three or four hours of sitting almost motionless, in a spare birdcage, he regained his wits and complained and squawked about his situation. My wife and I gingerly carried him outside and he successfully flew out of our hands and into the trees across from our house. Probably his mate is wagging her finger at him and scolding him about windows and humans. At least in my mind that’s what happened. Last year it was a Downey Woodpecker.

A departing snow squall in Saint Agatha Maine on Wednesday

Also on Wednesday we were in Saint Agatha, Maine enjoying lunch with friends when a snow squall hit, and visibility was down to just a few feet. We could see it approach, and for 15 or 20 minutes we watched the snow fly from the comfort of the restaurant. As the squall departed a distinct line of clouds and clear sky was clearly visible [see accompanying photo]. No mishaps occurred and we drove home safely.

Current values from our wireless Davis Vantage-Pro weather station:

Temperature: 8.1° [F.]

Barometer: 29.897 & falling rapidly

Humidity: 72%

Wind: Calm – occasional light breeze

Visibility: < ¼ mile snowing

Skies: 100% overcast

Precipitation: ca. 2½ inch snow

Since midnight:

Low temperature: -10.8° [F.] at 12:52 am

High wind: 5 mph at 9:44 am