Greetings mates, tis I, Wilson your friendly neighborhood House Pony. Boy have I got some photos to share with you showing Mother Nature at her best or her worst, depending on your opinion. It’s been a wild week but let’s dive in shall we. As always we’re joining those cute pups from Adventures of the LLB Gang for their weekly nature blog. Don’t forget to click on the link to see what others have shared from around Blogville.
Wilson: Mum…why do I have to bundle up? I mean keeping me dry is one thing, but you know how I feel about snow boots. Ugh.
The Mum: What? Come on, you look adorable in your booties. And you posed so nicely wearing them…
Wilson: {interrupting while raising his voice} E-nough. I should think that expression says it all. Wearing those hideous things is humiliating, Mum. I hate them.
The Mum: But they sort of keep your feet somewhat dry, well at least drier than if you were stomping around with your furry paddles…and without anything to protect your paws you’d need either a session with a hairdryer or a serious and lengthy mopping up with towels before coming back inside the house. I mop the new floors enough as it is because you’re a such drool machine.
Wilson: Yeesh…you cut me to the quick, Mum. We could argue discuss this all day long. But I’ve got photos to share and we should probably just move along. So as you were able to tell from our discussion and the first photo, it snowed this week (Tuesday and Wednesday). I know a lot of you will be aghast at the thought of snow in May but it’s not all that uncommon in the Rocky Mountain region. The irony to that fact is we received the most snow in May for over 20 years. Look at some of these snow depths through Wednesday.
The Mum: The total in Arvada really surprised me. We all knew a storm was coming but I only expected around 4 inches or so. Fortunately it was a nice wet snow with lots of moisture. I think we received nearly as much moisture over those two days as we’ve received to date this year. We’re still down and the drought is nowhere near gone but this was a nice dent toward improving things.
Wilson: Do you think plants were adversely impacted by that heavy snow?
The Mum: I won’t sugar-coat it, the storm did a fair amount of damage to trees. Cottonwoods which are softwood trees, were particularly hit hard as were many ornamental pear trees around the neighborhood. I went out every 3 or 4 hours to shake off our crabapple trees but along the trail we walk every day, a lot of large and small limbs were broken. Yesterday I was impressed that the city crews were out early cleaning up around the pathway. Most of the larger branches that fell far away from the pathway will be cut up and left to provide habitat to the area’s critters, while those closer to the trail were removed. And a lot of plants were flattened but by yesterday when we were in full melt, they were rebounding. Even these peonies didn’t seem to be worse for wear but they are somewhat protected by the trees around it. Yesterday’s high was 72F (22C) and more than half of the snow had melted. It was totally crazy. The forecast for the weekend will be in the 70’sF and we may even reach the low 80’sF by Monday. The temperature whiplash is in full force.
Wilson: It was absolutely beautiful when we walked and even more quiet than normally. Funny how people don’t want to get out and walk around in it. I’m glad you don’t mind, I just wish I didn’t have to bundle up from head to paw but it was fun checking everything out. The smells were quite remarkable.
The Mum: Even our newly blooming Bachelor Buttons in a large pot survived.
Wilson: Nature is pretty amazing. But somewhat selective, isn’t she?
The Mum: Pretty much. What other photos did you want to share?
Wilson: Well…how about some photos from the pathway? It was so beautiful and the quiet was palable.
The Mum: You managed to curate a fairly representative batch of photos. Well done, House Pony.
Wilson: Thanks Mum. See, I’m not just a pretty face. I can put a few pics together to show off how Nature is truly amazing. I see that Mother’s Day is this weekend and we want to wish everyone a very Happy Mother’s Day. We know not all of you have two feet kids, but you have fur babies so I think you deserve to enjoy the day as well as mums to them. Are you doing anything special for your mum? Whatever you do, we sincerely wish you a wonderful weekend and hope you are able to spend some time enjoying the many sides of Mother Nature. Have a good one, everyone.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
WOW!
That is crazy to think you’se guys not only got snow . . . you GOT snow! And sure it might have been the wet and gone soon enough variety but still! Of course, this means I can no longer complain about the chilly rains we received this week.
Wilson looks so fetching in his winter outfit, complete with booties that he is quietly thankful for since he can get to nap time that much sooner when he comes back inside.
Good to know the plants held their own, but sad to hear about those limbs.
Enjoy your special weekend mama!
Thanks, Marc. It was quite a reckoning to say the least. But it’s all melted now. Hopefully there’ll be more moisture in the coming weeks. Hate to sound greedy but we can use it. Have a swell weekend!
A reckoning. Yes, it DOES sound like it was a reckoning!
Bring on the rain!
You as well mama!
This is good news for the water supply, even though the poor trees and plants have to suffer. Amazing snowfall. Wishing you a super weekend.
Many thanks, John. It’s a start and hopefully with a generous El Niño we’ll get on target. Course we’ll have to broil first. Have a terrific weekend!
WOW……..WHITE STUFF (and I’m not talkin’ dog hair!)…….I’m so sorry Mother Nature threw you a soccer punch that hurt some of your beautiful landscape there. It looks cozy at your house but outside – BRRRRRRR! It is pretty to look at but cold on the feet AND paws. Stay cozy. I know you will.
Hugs, Pam and Teddy
I really don’t mind spring snow storms. They come in with a vengeance, drop a bunch of snow, leave quickly and usually melt within a day or two. Win-win. Bonus, I didn’t have to shovel the walks! Here’s hoping you have a pawsome Mother’s Day weekend.
Wowsah on the snow sweet Wilson! It looks so peaceful and we’re glad the peonies survived 🌸Wishing you and your mum a blessed Mother’s Day weekend too 🤗❤️🐾 xxx
Many thanks, Xenia. It was an amazing storm and everything is all melted. Typical for our spring storms! Wishing you a lovely Mother’s Day weekend.
Wow, on the snow! Glad its not here, but I can’t deny the beauty of the photos! Especially the one of Wilson. 😉
Going out with my daughter on Sunday and then we will buy some flowers for my mom and we may take her to the new German restaurant 😊 Brad and I were there once and we really liked it. 💕
Wishing you a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend!
I hope Wilson made sure to get his gift for you. 🥰
Many thanks. I truly love spring storms. They blow in, dump a boatload amount of snow, melt quickly and make a huge difference in the landscape. Win-win-win! Happy Mother’s Day weekend. I’m sure Abbi has soft gentle kisses and tail wags all ready for you.
Yay for the WINS! 😊
🥰 Yes!
Give the house pony a stroke from me 🙂
The House Pony says many thanks! Have a great weekend.
Wow, that was a LOT of snow! We had frost, but no snow.
Snow on all the flowers while not good for them sure is pretty! Hope the booties came off, we would hate those things too, BOL!
Give your Mom a big lick and maybe even a doggie hug, for Mother’s Day, Wilson!
Thanks, Dalton and Benji. We haven’t had that much snow in May for over 20 years. And every drop of it was welcomed despite damage to plants, shrubs and trees. That peony bush looked unbelievably great on our walk this morning. The surrounding cage did it’s job. We hope you guys give your mum a big wag and kiss for Mother’s Day. Have a terrific weekend.
Gentleman dog is elegantly dressed for inclement weather!
Thanks. He wasn’t all that thrilled with the “spatterdashes” but he sure loved the crisp air. We were lucky enough to be under a freeze as well as a winter warning. Fun times. Have a lovely weekend.
Hey Wilson, snow?!?!? Dang, you better tell Mother Nature it is Spring! It is pretty though. I hope you and Mom have a fabulous weekend!
It 99.9% melted as of today. You can tell the landscape was thirty! We hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
That’s a lotta snow! Very pretty on your walk. Wilson is adorable in his booties… I know, not the macho image he strives for, but still. 😍
I love the tenacity of those peonies and the hardiness of the rest.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Estes Park received nearly 2 feet so I didn’t mind the 7+ inches. Still for May, it was quite a lot.
We just returned from a long walk along the trail and sah that those peonies looked great and you couldn’t tell they’d been well covered by the snow. The cage that surrounds them did its job! Have a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend, Eliza.
I can’t believe the peonies survived that snow! Wow!
We just returned from walking past them and you couldn’t tell they had been dumped on (99.9% of the snow has melted)…which makes me immensely happy. It’s my favorite spring flower. Have a great Mother’s Day weekend, Kate!
Wilson, you look so cute! Ack, spring snow! Sort of a good news/bad news for plants.
Oops, WILSON, oh my gosh, my bad!!
No worries. I edited it. 🥰
Thanks, Lisa. Most definitely. With the lack of winter moisture, I was thrilled we received as much as we did. Wishing you a very Happy Mother’s Day weekend.
Ah, I remember the whiplash weather of the Rocky Mountains. Oh, the damage snow does to the trees even when the trees are shaken. We had a crabapple split into three pieces. I do hope you get more snow in the mountains.
We’ve been reading news flashes that the monsoon season may be a good one. The West truly needs it.
We were lucky I think. The new house across the lane from me lost a fairly good sized branch. Always hate to see that on newly planted young trees. It takes forever to make them look right. Have a happy Mother’s Day and a great weekend!
I do hope you get the snow/rain. I always hated when everything was dry and the forests burned out of control.
I’m glad you lucked out and didn’t have any branches break from the snow.
Have a lovely Mother’s Day and a great weekend!
Many thanks, Julia. I hope you have a restful weekend recovering from your surgery. Happy Mother’s Day.
The more I read about the monsoon season plus the El Niño effect, I hope we can catch up so the wildfires aren’t so bad.
Thank you for your wishes for a relaxing weekend.
Lucky you to get to play in the snow, Wilson, and the best part, if you prefer the non-snow spring, is that the snow won’t last!
Hi Duke, thanks for stopping by. The snow was so pretty and even though we hardly received any during winter, this spring storm was especially welcome. Especially the part that it is melting so quickly. 😉 Have a great weekend and give your mum our best Mother’s Day wishes.
Look at that weather! Way too cold for me, as I put a sweater on in our California 70’s.
I had to laugh at Wilson’s outfit. I remember the last time my daughter agreed to dress in clothes I wanted her to wear and she didn’t!
It was really something. My sister in Texas puts a sweatshirt on just looking at my snow pics but I get it that when you’re used to mild temps, it’s hard to imagine walking around in cold temps.
It’s ironic since I can put hats and headwear on Wilson all the time but anything on his feet and he turns into a bucking bronco! LOL Happy Mother’s Day, Jacqui. Have a wonderful weekend.
I enjoyed the snowy photographs, but still prefer to look at it rather than have to be out in it….still remember going out to feed and water the poultry who refused to leave their houses!
We totally understand. Snow is not everyone’s jam but it’s hard to deny it isn’t pretty. Have a wonderful weekend, Helen!