My Pond Runneth Over.

12-17-20 VERMONT: We’ve been here for a few days, escaping the big storm in NJ. We were not expecting much here, the predictions were for 1-3 inches. As of midday, we have a foot and it’s still snowing. The trees are dumping snow, it’s sliding off the roof, the outdoor benches have disappeared. Never trust a forecast. 

When we left here in mid-November, the new, upper pond was two feet low, as it had been since May. Now, one month later, it’s full and the brook from that pond to the other pond is full of water. Ice actually, the waterfall and brook and both ponds are frozen—it was 0° yesterday morning. It was warmer today at 10° in the snow. 

I filled the feeders this trip for the first time since the spring and the bears in the neighborhood. I assume they’re fast asleep for the winter. There have only been a couple of chickadees so far. 

After we ran errands yesterday, I put out the snow clearing tools and the reflectors to guide the plowers clearing the driveway.

The dogs have been happy with the cold and now with the snow. Maizie, especially, like to lie outside on the deck in this weather.

Maizie before the snow.

The upper pond, waterfall and brook with ice extending down to the big pond.

The lower pond.

The pond with fox, caught by the game cam, in November.

A stag a few days later with the water level still low.

Bally walking carefully on the ice in the long shadows of early afternoon.

Early this morning, 7:30, at sunrise in dim light. 

At midday, brighter and deeper.