Wednesday in Wyoming - February 22, 2023

 

One of the things that makes winter in Wyoming different from many other states is the presence of hot springs and other thermal features. While I have to admit that I have no desire to dip even my toe in the water, I love the contrast of the steaming water with snow only inches away.

This picture was taken in Thermopolis, whose name hints at the hot springs that are one of the town's major attractions.

Wednesday in Wyoming - February 15, 2023

 

What would winter be without at least one snow or ice sculpture?

This one, which we found at the Wyoming Territorial Prison in Laramie, made me laugh as I pictured a mother trying to relax in her bubble bath, only to be interrupted by a curious child.

Poor mom!

Wednesday in Wyoming - February 8, 2023

 

Do you recognize this scene? I've posted it before, because it's one of my favorite views of Fort Laramie in the winter. The square building is the new guard house (yes, there was an older one), while the ruins behind it are from the administration building.

Wednesday in Wyoming - February 1, 2023

 

This month we're going to celebrate winter in Wyoming, starting with this picture of a highway in the Wind River canyon near Thermopolis.

Many people believe the whole state is blanketed with feet of snow from November through May. Not true. Some parts, including the area around Cheyenne, receive far less snow than you might expect -- particularly now that we're in the midst of a drought -- and have weeks when the ground is bare.

Surprised? I thought you might be.

Wednesday in Wyoming - February 24, 2021

 

I know many people consider bunnies a nuisance, and I'll admit that I'm less than thrilled when they devour my flowers (which is why some are caged), but I also enjoy watching their antics, including their grooming. 

I'm not sure what this bunny just ate, but it felt the need to wash it paws multiple times. So cute.

Wednesday in Wyoming - February 17, 2021

 

Wyoming's winds mean that this isn't a common sight, but when the snow does manage to coat the trees, it's gorgeous. At least I think so.

Wednesday in Wyoming - February 10, 2021

 

This black-tailed jackrabbit has no question about where it's going to find food. The dried remains of my flowers are a tasty meal for hungry rabbits, which is one reason I leave them there during the winter.

Wednesday in Wyoming - February 3, 2021

 

It doesn't matter what the groundhog said yesterday. In Wyoming it's still winter. 

That's not necessarily bad. The snow, particularly when it's sculpted by the ever-present winds, can be beautiful.

Notice how you can see the grass on the lower right side, while other areas have drifts. And then there are the ripples, which remind me of sand dunes. It's a constantly changing landscape, lovely to watch ... unless, of course, you're driving and get caught in a ground blizzard.

Wednesday in Wyoming - February 22, 2017

What's a cottontail supposed to do after a particularly heavy snowfall? This one spent a lot of time resting in what I called the caldera next to a juniper. But eventually he decided to venture out.

Why? Food, of course!

Judging from the quantity he ate, he must have enjoyed the dwarf iris.

One thing you may have noticed is that while the snow was deep next to the juniper, it's hardly visible here. You can thank the famous Wyoming winds for that.

Wednesday in Wyoming - February 15, 2017

Winter in Wyoming lasts well beyond the official end of winter on March 20. In fact, March and April tend to be our snowiest months, at least in Cheyenne.

The spring bulbs don't seem to have gotten that memo, though, so they start blooming in mid-February. Unfortunately, sometimes they have to deal with snow weighing down their blossoms. Fortunately, they often recover.

Wednesday in Wyoming - February 8, 2017

One of my favorite parts of winter in Wyoming is seeing how the local rabbits (both cottontails and jackrabbits) deal with it. This jackrabbit spent days hunkered down under this particular shrub.

The good news is, the shrub is only a few feet from my office window. The bad news is I spent far too much time looking at him rather than working on my manuscript. Such a fun distraction!

Wednesday in Wyoming - February 1, 2017

When you think of Wyoming in the winter, you probably envision the Tetons and literally feet of snow. While that's often the case there, other parts of the state have considerably less snow, including my hometown, Cheyenne.

In Cheyenne, snow is often accompanied by our famously strong winds, making it what I call sideways snow. That rarely sticks to trees, but occasionally we have perfect conditions to create a scene like this. It doesn't last long, but it's definitely beautiful.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- February 25, 2015

Here's the jackrabbit I showed you a couple weeks ago once the snow stopped.  As you can see, it returned to the same spot, clearing out a small nest for itself.  I'm always amazed when I see them, because they're so large, and those ears are enormous. 

Wednesday in Wyoming -- February 18, 2015

Although I experienced freezing rain when I lived in the East, freezing fog was new to me.  It can be dangerous, since it leaves black ice on the roads, but I find it beautiful when it coats the trees and bushes.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- February 11, 2015

When the snow comes, the jackrabbits need to find shelter.  Did you know that, unlike cottontails, they don't live in burrows underground?  Instead, they make shallow indentations in the ground, typically under trees or shrubs.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- February 4, 2015

It's definitely winter in Wyoming.  This picture was taken on the way from Cheyenne to Lander, site of "Lander Lil," Wyoming's answer to Punxsutawney Phil.  As you can see, there's not a lot of snow, and Mother Nature -- in the form of solar heat -- will soon clear the road.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- January 21, 2015

Does this scene look familiar?  It should, because it's practically the same location as my cover picture.  What you're seeing are the Laramie river, the old guard house and the ruins of the administration building at Fort Laramie National Historic Site.  This picture was taken in January, the cover in early June.  What a difference five months makes!

Wednesday in Wyoming -- January 14, 2015

Doesn't this look like an inviting place to spend a snowy winter day?  It's at the appropriately named Snow Lodge in Yellowstone National Park.  The first time I visited Snow Lodge, the best I could say about the accommodations was that they kept us warm and dry.  Years later, the old motel-style Snow Lodge was replaced by Yellowstone's most modern facility.  It's still a warm and dry place, but now it boasts style and luxury. 

Wednesday in Wyoming -- January 7, 2015

It's winter in Wyoming, and what better place to be than Yellowstone National Park?  Even though the majority of the roads are closed, limiting travel to snowmobiles, snow coaches and ... yes ... cross country skis, the contrast of the thermal features with the snow is spectacular.