February may be the shortest month, but holy cheese does it have some long weeks. Helena had nine days with winds above 20mph (33kph); and two of those days had gusts above 40mph (65kph). Sixteen days were below 0 (-17c). My home area received at least 20 inches (50cm) of snow. And we were cloudier than usual- fourteen days had fully overcast conditions.
Despite the cold and snow, Feb was a better month than I expected for walking on trails. We topped out at a whisker shy of 24 miles (38k). Coupled with January’s 73 miles (117k), we are still just shy of 100 miles (160k). That’s life. We ID’ed 5 new bird species for the year list- so the total YTD is 63. Ahead of average. All things considered, not a bad start to the year.
Our long winter storms and extended cold snaps are likely over, but spring snow squalls, icy trails, and mid-day mud make up the bulk of the near term forecast. Go ahead and bring it on, I say. We need the moisture, and with cleats and lengthening days, I think we can handle almost anything nature has up her sleeve.
March dawned with clear blue skies and actual birdsong. This House Finch, dressed in his Spring finery, was singing his little athletic heart out on our morning walk on Mount Helena.
So nice to see and hear!
Nature, every day. 
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