Spring is just days away now and I’ve been looking back on the winter of of 2022/2023. As a photographer it has kind of sucked for me. But Utah has gotten plenty of snow.
Bear River MBR in the mirror of my Jeep – Samsung cell phone photo
Utah needed the snow we have gotten this winter. And the snow has piled up.The ski resorts did well this winter and they will be open later in the spring than they have been in years. I hope the reservoirs in the mountains will benefit from the snows too when spring melt happens.
My problem this winter has been day after day of gray, gloomy skies with not as many birds to be found as there have been in past winters. I simply haven’t taken as many photos this winter as I have in the past.
I have enjoyed the scenery though and it has done me good to see more snow on the mountain peaks than I have seen in years. The Promontory, Oquirrh, and Stansbury Mountains along with the Wasatch Range have been covered in snow for most of the winter. I have loved seeing those snow covered peaks on the rare sunny days we have had this winter.
Maybe, just maybe, all of this moisture will benefit the birds in those mountains and in the valleys this spring. Plus it will even provide some short term help for the Great Salt Lake and the marshes surrounding it.
I won’t be sad to see winter leave the mountains, valleys, and deserts in my rear or side view mirrors though. I’m looking forward to sunshine, warmth, and signs of spring. I am excited about seeing spring migrants. The unfurling of leaves, the greening of grass, and spring bird song.
It has been a very long winter and it isn’t quite over yet but spring is heading this way.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge landscape photos plus information about the refuge.
Hopefully the GSL will start to be replenished. But from what I’ve read and seen for myself…it’s going to take several heavy winters to really bring back. Hope springs eternal… Thanks Mia.
Creative title and photo, Mia!
Let’s hope that both our states’ droughts will be abated by this winter’s precipitation. SoCal’s local mountains got slammed hard and people are still stuck without supplies, but more and more aid is getting to where it needs to go. The mountain communities have really united and come through to help each other — wish more people would do the same.
Here’s hoping that, if we do get more precipitation, it is left to replenish the Great Salt Lake, reservoirs, and aquifers.
I couldn’t agree with you more. We have had too many 3D days (dark or damp, dull & dreary) too. From December to February I have taken few photos of birds & wildlife than even during the pandemic. Climate change???