It was just before 1 pm on New Year’s Day. We were talking on the phone to one of our children. Along the edge of the table walked this Asian Lady Beetle. We had seen it on the walls over the recent months when the outdoor temperatures got cold. Here it was again on one of the coldest days of the year.
by Jim and Melanie
Squire Point trail is a favorite place for hikes. We go there several times a year in different seasons to see the variety of ways nature presents. Today was day 1 of the new year. The Sun was out. The wind was not strong. The temperature was above 32˚F. We bundled up and went there. It was a good day to be out.
We stopped and chatted briefly with two of Jim’s former teaching colleagues. Their dogs were huge. Several families were out with small children enjoying the day. One father was especially loud but good natured. The lake was frozen over solid but we did not venture onto it. There were icy patches on the trail we negotiated very carefully.
Melanie pointed out these tiny fungi that looked like plates or saucers. The biggest is about 1/2″ wide.
Jim risked falling into the stream to get this picture of a small frozen water fall about 2′ tall.
We both spotted this bear cub hugging a small 6″ tree. We were surprised to have never noticed it before on our hikes.
by Jim and Melanie
It snowed about a foot last weekend. The temperature dropped to -3˚F with 35 mph arctic winds by the next morning. Today, it warmed up to 25˚ with no wind. We strapped on the snowshoes and headed for the trail behind our house. Trails in town wind through the neighborhoods of town and make for great excursions all year long. Join us on this hike.
Strapped on and ready to go.
Our View From Iowa 