Heavenly View of Snow on the Peaks of Hells Canyon

We always have the hills of Hells Canyon in our viewshed, but the snow on the peaks is so beautiful that I thought it must be shared with my readers.

I’m dreaming of a grey Christmas. . .

I’m dreaming of a grey Christmas. . .

A grey and cloudy vista can be morale boosting or demoralizing. Personally I have no real preference. I like clouds. I can’t imagine a bright sunny Christmas day in the northwestern prairie where I live.

Before the launch, the sun steals the show

The sun was amazingly bright over the Snake (Washington side) and Clearwater (Idaho side) Rivers as we prepared to launch our quest for Moby Bass. I caught a couple of junior bass and released them so they could grow a bit. Vic caught a 10-1/2 incher, our only keeper of the hot, pleasant outing.

Effie and Paladin: Resourceful at 106° F

106° in sunny Effieland

Effie prefers a nap in her chair to Effieland’s 106° F.

Paladin’s idea of shade tends to be under the bed.

Effie and Paladin and 102° in Effieland

        It’s 102°– hot, but Effie and Paladin find shade everywhere.

        Our sun-dappled Effie burrows under a poplar.

        Our clever Paladin discovers he can combine some shade with a lookout.

Twin suns

These sunflowers came to bloom the same day in Effieland, and have remained hale and blooming for about a week. We will harvest their seeds; they are a significant protein source in my meatless diet. In the meantime, we will enjoy their beauty and the incredible vibrancy  of their golden blooms.

Colors and Vines of Effieland

My cats Effie and Paladin are out with me in 96° Effieland, but defer from blog appearances today in favor of napping in the shade.

Lupines come in so many wonderful variegated and solid colors. . .

 

One of my favorite solids is Cream.

 

More poppies have bloomed since yesterday.

 

Grapevines are expansive throughout Effieland.

100° in Effieland

Effielanders Effie and Paladin refuse to leave their grounds and come into the house when it’s a mere hundred degrees outside and their water drippers are providing only very warm water. Paladin naps, and Effie walks around drinking warm water. They seem not to mind in the least.

Effie finds a bit of shade in some grass, intermittently drinking warm water without flinching.

Paladin rests in a small patch of grassy shade by a pot of fresh growing catnip. He’s not punch-drunk; the sun’s in his eyes.

In the pink: Here come the lupines

I welcome lupines as harbingers of summer, especially when they arrive in pink. We also have later-blooming lupines in cream and blue. The ones pictured here are beginning to bloom, and will soon fill their stalks with more petals. Effie and Paladin  took turns today, sleeping among the leaves on the side opposite the flowers.

Paladin of the lupines

Paladin seeks shade among lupines and brome next to the fence in Effieland. Away from the shade, the temperature is 84° F, and Paladin’s fur resembles the coat of a Siberian husky.