Is that a vole?

 As I was scooping algae out of the pond yesterday morning, I noticed a swimming something, about five inches long, brown.  Greg was the one who mentioned it might be a vole...and they do swim.  I've also noticed water skippers this year, and they are so interesting!  By the way, there wasn't a lot of algae but enough to bring out the Pond Scum Police.

Mike and I walked up Veenstra's Trail today.  If you haven't been up lately, go!  The yellow wildflowers are more than abundant, and even Mike was taking pictures.  I think they're golden asters, but by any name they are gorgeous.  Do yourself a favor and take a hike.



Robby Whites' mom and dad, Flora and Robert, are visiting from Arlington.  They are a little afraid of snow, but I told them they had to come back in four to six weeks for the aspens.  They've seen pictures, which we all know is totally different from the real thing.

I turned on the heat last night.  Among the rain, the humidity, and the clouds, it felt cold!

I just saw an article on OutThere NEWS that bears are now entering their hyperphagia period, where they eat 20 hours a day and consume 20,000 calories every 24 hours.  Chimene (2) sent me a photo yesterday of a muddy bear print on their downstairs patio.  Bear aware!

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