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December has an average high of 38 degrees,
and an average low of 11 degrees. Average precipitation is
1.35 inches, Average
snow fall 15.4 inches.
Englemann spruce and subalpine
firs, which grow
in mixed spruce-fir
forests above 9,000 feet, have evolved
to live in an extreme
climate. Their slender
growth pattern
and down-sloping
branches limit snow
loading and wind
exposure. A waxy coating on
their needles seals
in moisture and thick
needle covered branches
shield trunks from
windblown ice particles.
When temperatures warm
above freezing in
early spring these
trees can begin photosynthesis long
before deciduous trees leaf out.
Mating season for bighorn sheep (the official state mammal
of Colorado) peaks
in December. The bighorns bluff, butt and bash each other with
their horns in a battle for the ladies.
Speed of impact
can reach 50 miles per hour. Young sired by the victor will
be born in June.
Weasels, snowshoe
hares and ptarmigan
(a type of grouse) have all changed to white fur or plumage
by late December, both for camouflage from predators,
and in the case
of the weasel, to aid in stealth when hunting.
Beavers remain
alert in their
lodges all winter, eating from branches they have stored under
water in pools created by their dams.
The National
Audubon Society
annual Christmas Bird Count happens every year during the last
half of December nation wide. These counts welcome
all bird-watchers
of all abilities and affiliations. Visit http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/index.html
or call the San
Juan Audubon Society chapter at 970-247-4272 for information
on the count in our area.
The first day of Winter, or the Winter solstice,
occurs on December 21st. On this day, the sun rises
and sets as far south of east
as it will go during
the year. The arc the sun as it travels across the
sky is also as low overhead as it will be all year.
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