Above it all

 

 

The spring weather here is fickle. The Saturday outdoor market was cold and windy, but Sunday turned out warm so we hiked to the hillside property outside of Twisp. This is a wonderful time, just after the snow melts and the valley bursts into life again.

Amanda and Tom hiked a higher ridge loop for more exercise, but I was happy to sit at the overlook and switch on my Merlin app (developed by the Cornell Institute of Ornithology.)  

 

A screenshot-- like magic, it picks out individual species from the cacophony of song.

 

 

Underfoot, carpets of delicate wildflowers.

And the spring queen of the valley, Arrowleaf Balsamroot, just starting to bloom. By May, it covers the hills and meadows in big golden clumps. 

Hardworking Amanda and Tom then spent the afternoon in the yard, while the chickens enjoyed a lazy peck outside the coop.

All good things come to an end. Work and school for the family, and I'm flying back to the Seattle coop today.