All photos taken on February 1, 2024.
Another week, another walk. Again, we chose what we thought would be the perfect day, sunshine, low winds and a temperature that would start around 0C when we started our walk and be up to +4C by the end. What we did not plan for was the rumply, bumply frozen trail surface, due to the previous days at +13C and +8C.
There was snow left, but the trails consisted of stretches of frozen human and animal foot prints, as well as cross country ski tracks. At times, trail surfaces were slippery, but we still managed to walk the 6.57 km (4 mile) perimeter trail in just over 2 hours.
The “thicket” by the parking lot
setting off, clockwise
boardwalk trails
Frosty wild rose bushes
Up on deer meadow – no deer today
a light in the forest
the Grove was gleaming white
Frozen cross country ski trail. Klister would be required today
suspended season
Glimmer
The red tinge is coming back into the willow branches. Not a good sign, this early in the year. Spring is still a long ways off.
climbing the Summit
Nearing the West boundary with Tucker’s Field
We puzzled over this scene. It seems that a deer or moose bedded down here for the night and it’s body warmth melted the snow. Over night the snow froze and when the animal got up the next morning, it left a lot of fur stuck to the ground. Kind of like the animal version of licking a metal post in winter.
Looking South then North by Tucker’s Field connection, then preparing for the downhills on Tamarack Trail
The fen, empty as always
Tamarack needles covered the bare ground here
We were surprised to see new plant growth already
No dogs are allowed in the Meadows, so either somebody ignored the rule or this was a wolf track. I am betting on a wolf track
Pausing for lunch near the Blueberry Connector, the chickadees came out to play
Views near our lunch spot
On the home stretch, looking forward
a pause for a selfie
As we neared the parking lot, we saw these ravens soaring on the thermals
Another good “winter” walk.
PHOTODROP8 
Leave a comment