Tonight could very well be the coldest night of November.  It is already 30C on the thermometer.  The high today was -25C.  That did not stop me from heading out for the first snowshoe of the season.  I hadn't planned it that way.  It just happened because the visitor center was not open at Elk Island.

I was getting cabin fever so decided to drive to the park to purchase a duplicate pass.  The cold must have prevented the staff from opening the visitor center.  It was locked up tight so I was not able to get the pass that I needed.  Since I was there and had my snowshoes in the back of the vehicle, I drove to the Amisk Wuche Trail parking lot.  Not a soul was around and not a soul with two legs had been on the trail. There were lots of animal tracks but no human ones.

I bundled up, grabbed the poles and donned the snowshoes.  The snow was at least 10 inches deep.  When one is breaking trail, it takes extra effort to make it through.  I made it up to the first boardwalk and then turned around.  I had the appropriate outerwear but not the appropriate socks so my feet were beginning to get cold.

The trail was beautiful.  The crooks of the branches held onto the fluffy snow.  Tree stumps wore snow caps.  The sky was cloudless and the sun was shining.  It was a winter wonderland indeed.

When I got home, I was entertained by all my feathered and fur friends in the backyard.  There was a feeding frenzy at the grain dish as well as the bird

feeders.  I had downy, hairy and pileated woodpeckers at the feeder on the deck.  It contains sunflower seeds, suet and the remains of a peanut bell.  The small woodpeckers enjoy the suet but the pileated goes after the peanuts.  I also had white breasted nuthatches, black-capped chickadees, magpies and pine grosbeaks at the bird feeders.  

The grain dish for the deer was busy as well.  The usual visitors did not come.  I had new ones!  Three different white tail bucks came into the yard.  All had different sizes of antlers.  What fun it was to observe them!  I think I'll have to stockpile the grain for the winter.  I fill the dish 2-3 times per day depending if I'm at home.

The day was cold but it was beautiful.  It started with a trip to the mailbox.  Nobody was out and about.  The air was fresh and crisp.  The snow crunched under my boots.  The sun was shining, making the snow sparkle.  The birds called from the tree tops.  

I got to spend time outside and now will enjoy some time inside, in front of the fireplace with a warm drink.  I love winter!