There was a nice snowfall a couple of weeks ago. It made the backyard trees look like they should have been on the front of a Christmas card. Their branches were laden with snow that sparkled in the morning sun.

The garden flag was not moving. It told me that the air was calm. I had a lot of chores to do but I couldn't pass on the opportunity to enjoy the new snow.

I took the snowshoes to the Beaver Hills Biodiversity trail. I love that it is so close to home. In five minutes I was there and ready to hike.

I was the first human on the trail. The forest creatures were out before me. Deer, hare, moose, mouse and squirrel tracks criss-crossed the trail in front of me.

I got to my favorite part where the spruce trees tower overhead. It is the spot where I wish I could bottle the smell. The needles and sap permeate air and make me feel like I'm on a mountain trail. I could sit there all day taking in that forest aroma.

The trail forks at that spot and I went left. The sun's rays shone through the thick branches. A breeze shook the limbs and the fresh snow tumbled from the tree tops. 

I didn't want the hike to end but I couldn't put off the chores at home either. It was a beautiful, fresh, winter morning. I need to take in as many as possible. The spring sunshine will be melting the snow soon and I'll have to retire the snowshoes for another season.