Sitting at the end of the first week in February, local snow accumulation exceeds even the most optimistic expectations for an El Niño year. Beginning on New Years eve of this past year, the level of moisture has been significant -- four major storms dropping, on average, about 8 inches of snow with each punch. As predictable, north-facing slopes gain depth with each new storm
Total snow depth on the Faulty Trail (above) measures easily 36 inches, if not deeper, and the Pacific continues to provide moisture laden storms that travel up from the Baja like minstrels playing their turn on a sojourn moving eastward to the adjoining ocean. Today's forecast calls for an additional 6-12 inches below 7,500' elevation, but has yet to materialize.
A noteworthy observation has found that a pair of Northern Flickers (Colaptes auratus) have been feeding along side the two predominant species of Jays on a variety of commercial seeds placed on the ground with a handful of peanuts. The Flickers tend to ignore the Jays even when the Jays fly into the zone at full speed. This feeding behavior of the Flickers is the first witnessed at Forest Park, and I can only wonder if it is yet another sign in the environment as the pawns of climate begin to change their position.
