Dog Days of Winter

The last day of February in North Idaho was a great one ... sunny and nary a snowflake in sight. This was the perfect day for runners, both two and four-legged, and this duo on Poleline Avenue were among the many out enjoying the dog days of winter.

White Tail on watch

This white tail deer stood sentry Sunday in a field across from Black Rock Golf Course. As I drove away, several deer emerged from the cover of tall grass to the right.

Lake reflection

February's late afternoon sun over Rockford Bay on Lake Coeur d'Alene created a reflection of the far shore.

The view

With the exception of the mountain ski resorts, North Idaho has been relatively snowless this winter. Sunshine this week and temperatures nearing 50 created crowds of people at the local car wash, seizing the opportunity to wash the winter grime away. This view from the driver's seat is likely one many of us will see over the weekend.

Fog on the water

On a winter's day mid-morning fog over Lake Coeur d'Alene quickly disappears when the sun comes through the clouds over Independence Point.

Trophy Elk

There's no shortage of wildlife viewing in North Idaho but a rather unique sight is an elk ranch on Hwy. 95 south of Coeur d'Alene near Rockford Bay. This winter there are nearly 50 of the magnificent creatures with impressive antlers visible from the highway.

OnLocation at the Capitol

I went OnLocation about 400 miles south and took in a tour of the newly-renovated state capitol building in Boise. Definately worth seeing! More info HERE.

Beavers at work

Down by the Spokane River I came across several tree stumps left by eager beavers. For some reason the beavers left this one unfinished.

Around the bend

The Spokane River rushes around the bend near Corbin Park in Post Falls. It's uncommon to see the banks without snow and ice during the third week of January. Dozens of disc golfers were enjoying the sunny, 40+ degree day at the park.

How the big boys go sledding!

Coeur d'Alene Realtor Tom Torgerson loves where he lives and loves "hill climbin'" in the great North Idaho outdoors on his modified Ski-Doo 800 Summit X. This photo of Tom was taken by Rand Wichman above Burke Canyon in Shoshone County.

Winter Sunset

This gorgeous view of a recent winter sunset was taken from atop Fernan Hill with Fernan Lake in the foreground and Lake Coeur d'Alene in the distance. Thanks Tom Torgerson!

Out and About

I've not been out OnLocation as much in recent weeks, tied to the computer it seems. But I'm not the only one in these parts who loves where I live so you'll see more photos from friends who are out enjoying the great North Idaho outdoors. Email a scenic winter photo to mainstreet@cdapress.com and if it's posted here, I'll credit the photographer. Let me know where you were and when. Thanks!

Take the Plunge!

On the first day of the new year, start with a run along Lake Coeur d'Alene in the Hangover Handicap and then at the stroke of noon, the 31st Annual Polar Bear Plunge takes place at Sanders Beach ... water temperature 40 degrees! Either way, you're likely to get wet and sure to be cold, with snow in the forecast for North Idaho on the first day of 2010!

Towering Lights

McEuen Terrace, which overlooks McEuen Field, Tubbs Hill and Lake Coeur d'Alene in downtown Coeur d'Alene, is dressed for the season.

Wet Winter

North Idaho has seen far more rain than snow so far this winter. Last year was epic in snowfall volume which made for some incredible images in white like these steps down to Lake Coeur d'Alene at Independence Point. Winter recreationists won't be disappointed by the snowpack at Schweitzer, Silver Mountain and Lookout Pass, though.

Eagle Eye View

I spend a lot of time on location with the eagles on Lake Coeur d'Alene this time of year. As I watched several swoop and soar and dive for fish I wondered what the view was like from their vantage point ... kokanee salmon in post-spawning death throes and people with cameras.

Frozen Fish

A fisherman checks his frozen fishing hole on Fernan Lake Monday afternoon. A light snow was falling and the ice is several inches thick on the small lake at the east end of Coeur d'Alene.

Centennial Trail Sunset

Even on a winter's day, walkers, cyclists and runners enjoy the view of Lake Coeur d'Alene from the Centennial Trail on Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive. This sunset is just one of the reasons the trail is used year around.

Frozen Falls

The water features on Spokane Street's I-90 on and off ramps in Post Falls are looking more like ice sculptures this week after several days of single digit and below zero temperatures in North Idaho.

Eagle Watching

The eagles have arrived on Lake Coeur d'Alene! As many as 100 bald eagles spend the month of December at Wolf Lodge Bay and Higgens Point to feed on Kokanee salmon before continuing their southern migration. Higgens Point has eagle viewing informational kiosks and public parking right at lake's edge. Eagle photographs HERE. More information on eagle watching cruises and education from the Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game click HERE.

Ramping up the season

The iconic Cedars Floating Restaurant, off of Blackwell Island where Lake Coeur d'Alene flows into the Spokane River, is dressed for the holidays. The lake level is at its winter low. In the summer months, this ramp is not so much of an incline.

Frosty Green

The world-famous floating green at the Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course is covered in frost on a very cold December Sunday morning.

Full Moon

I enjoy far more moon rises than sun rises in the course of my nightowl lifestyle. On the first day of December a beautiful full moon was rising on the east as the sun was setting in the west in North Idaho.

Countdown to 2010

The 24' wide pine wreath on the parking garage of the Coeur d'Alene Resort reminds us of the year about to come to an end. Weighing nearly 3 tons, the wreath is handcrafted each year by Post Falls florist, Connie O'Neil.

Lighting up the lake

The annual fireworks display over Lake Coeur d'Alene dwarfed the Coeur d'Alene Resort cruise boats which were filled with revelers as Coeur d'Alene's downtown was officially lit up for the season.

Dressed for December

The grounds of the Coeur d'Alene Resort and downtown's Sherman Avenue are all dressed in lights, although Mother Nature has yet to blanket North Idaho in white.

Nothing says Christmas like ...

... shotgun shell lights on the tree. These, and other outdoors-themed lights like Coleman lanterns, are displayed at Cabela's in Post Falls.

Kicking off Christmas!

The day after Thanksgiving, the Christmas season kicks off in Coeur d'Alene with the Festival of Lights Parade at dusk. At parade's end, thousands gather on the lawn of the Coeur d'Alene Resort for the official flipping of the switch to light up the downtown. At the Resort alone there are over a million lights strung.

Birds on a wire

On a sunny but cold North Idaho November day, hundreds of starlings surveyed the landscape from overhead wires. Every few minutes they'd swoop as a group to feed in the fields below.

Gobble Gobble

With less than a week before Thanksgiving, a family of wild turkeys parades through a Fernan Lake neighborhood.