Sequim's Roosevelt Elk herd
made the New York Times.
Flowers are budding already!
We've had a snow-free winter, so far.

Back in 2002: The New Year dawned with a crispy clear morning, a perfect day for a drive.
Would the QFC grocery be open? "No, of course not; it's a holiday".
(...wrong again. It was.)
On the way home we decided to drive up Bell Hill - the scenic route home - and take a few photos of the great views from the top. Well, Sequim's wild Roosevelt Elk herd - about 75 animals strong - was congregating on an open expanse of grass - a photo op if ever there was one!

Now in 2003: This January a large portion of the herd was on the north side of the Highway in a dairy pasture. They were too far away to get a good photo - but we were not the only humans who spotted them; several other cars slowed down and stared and studied the little brown and tan blips over yonder.

And in 2004 we have yet to spot the herd. This herd has a few alpha animals who are collared with radio transmitters. These trigger the flashing lights on the signs by their Highway 101 crossing places. We have seen these lights flashing once in a while - signifying that the elk herd is nearby and "please exercise great caution should you spot them". These are large animals and a car-elk collision could really ruin your day. For the most part the warning lights are doing their job... causing drivers to use caution, and saving the elk from accidents, too. When it comes to the other streets these animals have to cross... just watch out.

Oh, and the view from the top of Bell Hill...

It has been a cooler wetter winter than last year, so far. There have been a few days when Mother Nature dumped a bit of weather (mostly wind and rain) our way, and we had one slush-fall in November, but so far snow has not covered our lawns.

Tickets for the 2004 Seattle Garden Show, from February4- 8th at their convention center, are now available at some local nurseries, and by mail from their website. The Port Angeles- Sequim area will have a couple of Garden busses running to the show, led by Andrew May - Horticulturist Extraordinaire. We have already signed up; and the Wednesday bus is sold out. There may still be room on the Saturday bus.

Our daffodils have emerged - they're early, but most welcome. There are also cut daffodils in the local grocery stores; Safeway had some on special- for a couple of dollars you too can get a 'splash of Spring color'!

The stores are selling primroses already; We put some in the kitchen window boxes for a bit of Spring. I have given up on the window boxes under bird feeders. They are full of birdseed now, as the birds toss out what they don't want. This still provides live action entertainment for our indoor cats.