White stuff slowly accumulates

Snow depth in the yard as of this morning is 6.5". The mountains to the west and northwest are getting pounded with 1-2' of new snow, today and tomorrow. Backcountry avalanche hazard is high. The Christmas bird count was being done last Saturday, December 20th. I was taking the pooch for a walk and ran into a friend of mine who was with two other birders looking for birds not far from my house.

While at the Rio Grande State Wildlife Area yesterday, I saw a few hawks and lots of Canada geese, plus lots of animal tracks and a set of x-c ski tracks. An eager beaver is taking care of a cottonwood tree near the river - photo shows recent activity. The Rio Grande is in the background - not frozen like last year.