BIGFORK...by Bear Dance: A "Routine" Sight

JUST FOR FUN

JEWEL BASIN SNOW DEPTH (this is in the parking lot for the hiking area, and keep in mind -- these numbers represent the settled base, not total snowfall):

10/07.........2"
10/09.........5"
10/13.........8"
10/15........11"
10/25........17"
10/28........27"
10/31........34"
11/07........28"
11/14........31"
11/21........30"
11/25........36"
11/28........42"
12/07........28"
12/15........45"
12/21........61"
12/30.......54"
1/4............75"
1/5............83"
1/6............93"
1/12..........82"
1/19..........85"
1/31..........81"
2/06.........91"
2/13.........98"
2/23.........93"
3/10........104"
3/23........107"
4/01........112"
4/10........114"
4/15........129"
4/28........101"
4/29........138"
5/04........148"
5/05........158"
5/12........139"
5/20.......108"
5/21........112"
5/26........108"
NOTE: You'll notice the snow levels dropping -- normal for this time of year -- but they're actually dropping at a much slower rate than normal. This is due to cooler temps each night, which allows the snow to either re-freeze or solidify, thus slowing down the melting process. Many of the locals have commented on how late in the season the snow seems to be staying on the mountains, and this bodes well for preventing a fire season this summer. We'll still be dependent on a few well-timed rain showers as summer progresses, but we're off to a pretty good start!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

A "Routine" Sight

Just another day on Bigfork Bay.....

We looked out to the partially-frozen waters this morning to see a group of five bald eagles fighting over a piece of fish on the ice. We managed to capture a few pictures of the ones that came close -- the one that's speckled is actually an immature bald eagle (he hasn't grown into the white head and tail yet).

Is this just an incredibly rare occurrence? Actually, no. Last year, we witnessed a group of eagles fighting over a dead deer on the north end of Flathead Lake. At certain times, we saw as many as THIRTEEN bald eagles fighting over this carcass. But here on Bigfork Bay, the eagles are literally a daily part of the sights.