As fall approached the weather forecasts were all talking about the probability of wet Winter.  Pacific ocean temps were up and the expectation for a strong El Nino and wet winter were high.  But the reality turned out to be very different.  December rains at the Painted Pony Resort totaled 0.39" while January rains totaled 0.88", then it stopped.  The fall and winter were characterized by morning and evening displays of brilliantly colored cloud cover but these did not bring the promised rains.  The 30 year average rainfall on the estate for December is 1.25" while for January the average is 0.83".  February's 30 year average is 0.64" yet the estate saw only 0.08" which fell on the first day of the month and since then no rain.  So we received a total of 1.35" for the period of December through February, while the 30 year average for the same period is 2.72", a 50% reduction.  The results of this dry winter was reflected in both plants and animals on the estate.  Plants in the front garden are just now beginning to put up new growth, even with irrigation and additional watering.  Stems on one front garden plant were stripped by hungry wildlife and I observed several rabbits dining on Ephedra another woody shrub.  The lack of winter cool season grasses and water may also explain why the mule deer which recently died on the estate came up to the buildings even when guests were in residence.  Hunger and lack of water may have outweighed the animals desire to avoid humans.  Although we are moving into a traditionally dry period hopefully some moisture will come out way before the monsoons.