No shovel required

Finally: snow! For two days this week we woke to an usually overcast world and bittterly cold, subzero temperatures.

Turtleback mountain wrapped her peaks in cloud.

Inca doves huddled like little pinecones on the frozen birdbaths. The intrepid among them drilled hopefully with beaks, through the powder, looking for liquid .

Saffron crocus and garlic received a welcome small layer of moisture.

Pomegranates, abandoned for the birds after autumn harvest, got a light, crystalline powdering.

Opuntia cactus were frosted too, especially those varieties with fine glochids.

Snow might be silent but it keeps no secrets. At first light there’s evidence of sneaky felines.

It was only a light dusting of snow really, probably less than an inch over two days, but any moisture is welcome. I am okay with letting my snow shoveling credentials lapse into disuse this chilly full wolf moon.

Yes, I know it’s a coyote not a wolf, and a terrible picture too, but this beautiful creature met me in pre dawn twilight a few days ago, just two blocks from the shala.

It’s not called the Land of Enchantment for nothing.