Frosty weather brings in the elk ...

Yesterday it was so frosty - below freezing, even at noon. On a hunch, I suspected that the cold weather would bring the elk herds down low.

Yes, I found a smaller herd - about 60 or so. They stay away from the road and my camera doesn't zoom well, but loved catching them in their frosty environment, enjoying green feed.

Such magnificent animals.

The magnificent Mt. McLoughlin

I love this mountain (when we can see it). It has so many 'moods'. Some just absolutely take your breath away. Fresh snow, over a beautiful Rogue Valley.

A dusting of snow, and a speck of sunshine.

Well, it's that time of the year. We have had some snow in the valley, but none of it lasting much more than a few hours or so. There was a beautiful dusting of snow on the surrounding mountains yesterday, the last day of the year. And I love the crisp conditions I managed to capture in this photo, along with a sliver of sunshine peeking through the clouds, and a bird atop one of the tallest branches.

The beautiful Rogue Valley.