The rush of summer has passed in Silver Gate and now all of the summer homes are boarded up and silent.  It's the time of year that when a car goes by you look to see who it is.  With the first real snowstorm, wildlife has filtered down from the high country to winter in our valley.  I can almost imagine them peeking from the forest edge to see if it's all clear before venturing down.  Two martens have already visited our cabin.  A pygmy owl made its first appearance perching just outside our window.  A small flock of pine grosbeaks are here daily.  It's still a bit early for rosey finches although we have seen large flocks in the Park.  A grizzly passed by last week on it's way to its den site.  Some of the birds that were here all summer will stay all winter too.  Gray and Stellers jays as well as Clarks Nutcrackers are always around.  We have a dozen mountain chickadees and a pair of both red-breasted and white-breasted nuthatches.  Flying squirrels have returned nightly.  Also a family of foxes that denned near here is doing a great job of cleaning up mice around our cabin.  After hunting season is over a small band of elk will spend the winter on the slopes above us and moose will again browse in the willows below us. It's snowing again today, so ready or not; I guess winter is here to stay.