A Snow-Covered Winter Wonderland

Snow! Snow, snow, snow snow! I’m doing a happy dance here. Early this month we woke up to a snow-covered winter wonderland, so beautiful it took my breath away.

A pink sky at sunrise:

Entering the woods: just magical. I was alone with a big grin on my face!

The birds were busy! I still get excited every time I see a Pileated Woodpecker, and this time there was a pair of them. They stayed close to each other, but almost never on the same tree. I’m sad about these trees, though. You can see how much of the bark has been removed–sometimes it’s almost the entire tree. Pileated Woodpeckers can do a lot of damage, but I think these are ash trees, infested by emerald ash borers. The woodpeckers’ interest is probably a sign of the infestation, and the trees will die with or without them.

A Red-Bellied Woodpecker

A Hairy Woodpecker

And the master of walking upside down on tree trunks, a White-Breasted Nuthatch.

Even the tiniest twigs were covered in snow, creating a lacy tangle all around.

Looking up…

When the sun breaks through, it’s even better!

Beech leaves hanging on through the winter is called marcescence; oak trees do this to some extent too. I love the way the leaves provide a pop of warm colour in the mostly monochrome winter woods.

As the snow piles up, we need snowshoes or skis to walk in the field and woods. So we walk the dog on the road, where I’m always excited to see snow buntings. These little birds breed in the high Arctic and only come here for the winter. They’re well camouflaged in little groups in the fields or at the side of the road. As you approach they’ll lift off and move a bit farther along. And if you keep walking they’ll do it again and again!

Winter scenes can seem bleak or beautiful, depending on your mindset. But colder weather brings clearer skies and sunny days, which make everyone a little more cheerful. And I’m sooo happy that the sun is setting later and the darkest afternoons are behind us!

Colour in the sky, as the sun is setting.

A Short-Eared Owl hunting, around sunset. Time for me to head home and warm up!