Changing Seasons - Yard, Trails, Critters

 

Our front yard (south facing) no longer has any snow.  The tulips have poked out of the ground in a bed in front along the house.  Back yard still has some but it's retreating quickly.

The bike trails along the streets I've been on are all clear of snow, with some residual ice in shaded spots and large puddles of water here and there.  

The trails along the the greenbelts are not quite that far along.  some are clear - from Goose Lake parking lot to UAA has pavement all the way, though at some points it's narrow.  

The trail from Goose Lake parking lot toward the Chester Creek trail along Northern Lights to the Alaska Native Medical Center is clear. 

There was a guy in a pickup truck doing spins in the parking lot.  He was the only vehicle in the lot.  He straightened up and drove away.  Not sure if it was because he saw me on the bike, or he was just ready to go.  

Chester Creek south (from Lake Otis) to the Peanut Farm is clear in some spots and covered in snow in other parts.  This picture is just north of the bridge under International Airport Road.  

I passed a couple of rabbits near Loussac Library.  I backed up and they were still there, not moving.  

They didn't move when I pulled out my phone and took their picture.  Nice birch bark too.  

There was a pair of mergansers in the creek between UAA dorms and the dining commons. (Thanks Dianne for the identification.)

And at Lake Otis Elementary yesterday, the kids got a visit from the Bird Treatment and Learning Center (Bird TLC) and they brought along a Peregrine Falcon.  The kids were quiet so as not to agitate the falcon and asked a lot of great questions.  

They listened quietly in rapt(or) attention.  (sorry, couldn't resist, it's completely accurate.)

Oe more related note.  We had a lot more snow this winter and the weather stayed a lot colder longer.  For many weeks our daily  high temperatures were below our normal low temperatures.  So the snow and ice clung to the ground far longer than normal.  And to top it off, last year the sidewalks and trails cleared much earlier than normal.  

All this means I'm way behind in my biking.  Today, April 24, 2026, my total is 70 kilometers.  Last year on April 24, I was at 180 kilometers.  Can I catch up with last year's pace?  I'm guessing not, though last year I did do 100k weeks.  My total last summer was just over 1600 kms, or 1000 miles.  We'll see how things go as the trails get clear of snow.