March 26, 2017

A nice little surprise arrived in the Lakes Region on Friday:  a sudden drop of five inches of dry snow instead of the forecasted rain with a little wet snow.  

Replenishing the snow supply

Even though it was followed by a bit of freezing drizzle it freshened things up nicely and allowed at least a few more rounds of mid-winter ski conditions.

Nordic by the lake

Alpine at Ragged with clouds clearing to the north on the morning after the storm

 
Our little furry and feathered friends didn't seem to mind as they came out to play in the snow, the squirrels tunneling under the fresh snow in search of seeds and then popping up, snow-covered, to eat their buried treasure, with the snow on their coats proving what we all know:  fur coats are warm.

We know fur coats are good insulators

Their airborne comrades dropped plenty more down for them, the snow collecting on their heads showing that feathers are also good insulators.

Snow on its head shows that feathers also have good insulating properties

Still, a small bird like a chick-a-dee can lose up to 10% of its body weight just keeping itself warm through a cold winter night.

Earlier in the week the ground dwellers took advantage of the corn cob, stripping the kernels from the cob onto the ground, then sitting there happily munching down on them.

Chipmunks have been out and about, and one theory says that when the chipmunks are out, so are the bears, so the birds better enjoy it while it lasts, as soon the feeders will be back safely hidden away from the bears. 

A Hairy Woodpecker takes advantage of the easy food

Unless, of course, mother nature continues to extend our winter!

March 20, 2011

We had two beautiful March days at Lake Wicwas this weekend, with seasonable temperatures and bright, warm sunshine.  With today being the vernal equinox, the sun is as strong now as in late September, and we can really feel the solar warmth.  We even had clear skies to see the full moon, with its closest approach and largest, brightest appearance for the next 18 years!

Hairy Woodpecker

I went for a snow shoe trip this afternoon to see what's happening in the woods, and found that the woodpeckers are starting to sound their mating and territorial calls, hammering away on the dead, resonant trees.









Later on this male stopped by our feeder for some suet.  There are also a lot more red squirrels out and about than we've seen all winter.  Suddenly there are many small, healthy, brightly colored animals running all around on the firm snow cover, and making tunnels from tree to tree.  We also saw our first chipmunks this week.



As for the larger animals, there are still no deer moving around, and the fox, traveling mostly at night or in the early morning when it's cold, aren't leaving many tracks.  Likewise the porcupine aren't leaving tracks, but their signs are clearly evident.  There are cut-off branches on hemlocks everywhere, and the ground is littered with branches they have cut, and then left on the snow.

Cut Branches on Hemlock Trees

Porcupine Litter

Many animals will soon be feeding on the spring buds of trees - these maple buds are first I've seen this spring.  Considering the deep snow cover this late into the spring, it is likely to be a year with lots of bear-human interaction, as the bears will become active while much of their natural food supply is still covered with snow.

Spring Buds