Over the weekend I took a long walk on Linda’s grazing unit, 340 acres about 15 miles east of where we live. Here’s a few things I ran into.

As I type this three days later it is snowing lightly and has not been above freezing for two days; thus any brave pasqueflowers which had emerged are well frozen. Still, its always a treat to see the first flowers of spring.

I was a little surprised to see snakes out this early, with the temps in the mid 50’s, but they were vigorous enough to scoot when I tried to get a close-up photo.

It wasn’t a surprise to see the ants out. A sunny, 35 degree day in March will bring them to the surface. I don’t know how old the colony in the first picture is, but it is about 18 inches high. When I was growing up there was a colony just behind our house which was there for at least 30 years. Perhaps a large mound like that is even older.

While it is cold today, and I am under the weather, I hope that warmer weather later this week coincides with resurgent health to allow another walk very soon.