WEATHER HAS CHANGED

We have really had a January thaw around here.  It was in the 40's and the snow is melting fast.  But there is a lot of ice also.  One more day of above freezing and then they say we are going to get below zero again.  Sure hope the ice melts off.  Have not been skiing for over a week now as we have not had any new snow.

With the warmer temperatures the snow fleas or spring-tails have been out. I got the following from wikipedia:  "Snow fleas are deomposers and eat decaying organic matter as well as bacteria, fungi, algae, pollen, roundworms and rotifers. It has been assumed that they swarm on snow to feed on algae growing in the snow surface, though it is not clear that this is the case."  They are about 1 or 2 millimeters in length.  A few pictures I took while walking today.

 Here is what they look like floating on the water down the icy road.

 A closeup picture.  There are also two little brown bugs that I don't know what are.

Here is a lot of snow fleas stacked up in the water.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2011 started out below zero around here.  It has been pretty cold the last few days.  Today it actually got up to 10 degrees above zero which was the high.  Now in Fairbanks that would be a warm day, but here in the Bitterroot that is quite cool.  We had our annual sledding party up at the sled hill.  Had a fire going in the fire pit and all the kids were riding sleds or toboggans down the hill.  Cocoa, marshmallows, hot dogs, chips, cookies, etc were all consumed.  I think everyone had a great time even if it was cold.  Could have used a few more inches of snow though.

Pictures from the day.

The morning started out feeding in the cold.

Teresa, CJ, Debra, and Rita

Ham

Jack and Alex

Riley

 Andrew

Angie with Elaina behind

A few of these were roasted during the day.

 Jack

The ashes of a paper cup floating through the air.

 Teresa and Tracy - sister and brother.

Ham