Swans and Geese Staying Warm

When three swans landed on the meadow two days ago, nearly all of the ice was gone. The water sparkled in the sun, attracting more Canada geese, too. I thought spring must not be far behind. But...

Two more swans showed up yesterday, during a snowstorm that dumped more than a foot of new snow that drifted throughout last night and this morning. We awoke this morning to learn all of the nearby schools were closed, including Eastern Washington University, where I work. Today's temperature at home topped out at 10 F, and with wind gusts of 25-30 mph, wind chill was unbearable! Most of the meadow iced over again.

When clouds blew away and the sun finally came out this afternoon, I photographed the five swans sunning themselves and keeping "warm," along with geese, in the little bit of water left on the meadow.