Ask and ye shall receive. That's what happened. Well okay, I didn't really 'ask'. I was out hiking the trails every day this past week and was whining that there was very little snow this winter. 
 
Much to my surprise, there was over 10 inches of fluffy white stuff on my driveway that took 2.5 hours to shovel. That's because my driveway is about 100 feet long. The snowbanks that were less than a foot tall are now more than 4 feet tall on both sides. I looked like the abominable snowman when I came into the house. It's been snowing and blowing all afternoon so there's another 4 inches on the driveway that can wait until tomorrow.

After all that shoveling I opted to make coffee, download a book from the library and cuddle up under a heated blanket for the rest of the afternoon. There will be plenty of time to play in the snow tomorrow. 

As I mentioned before, there was a lot of hiking/snowshoeing done this week. It began on Monday with a 12km hike at Elk Island National Park. There was fog the night before so the trees wore coats of white. The day began cloudy and grey but the sun eventually came out and blue sky prevailed. What a great day!

The hikes for the rest of the week were quick ones; by quick I mean an hour each day at the Beaver Hills Biodiversity trail. Most days were sunny so the thick hoar frost was even more beautiful against the clear sky. All told, I trudged 25.24kms through the woods this week.

On my travels, I met up with a moose that decided to stand on the road in front of my vehicle, a coyote that was running across the pond and lots of squirrels/birds. It's always exciting to see the wild creatures when I'm hiking but I think the highlight this week was not the animals.

I got to the trail about 11am on one of those days; just after the fog lifted and the sun came out. As I walked I noticed how the hoar frost had fallen from the branches along one part of the trail. I made my way into the woods and stopped to admire the crystals that still coated the branches and berries. When there was no sound of crunching snow underfoot, I could hear the hoar frost crackle on the branches as the sun warmed it. What a beautiful sound. There were no other forest sounds; only the crackling frost.

I'm sure going to try to get out on the trail with my snowshoes tomorrow. If I'm energetic, I just might take the skis out too. I can't let this blanket of fresh snow go to waste.

Hayburger Trail at Elk Island National Park

Beaver Hills Biodiversity Trail

Last weekend my granddaughters were over and we spent one of the days at a local outdoor rink and the sledding hill. It was great to see them enjoying the fresh air as much as I did. We had the rink to ourselves!

With the milder temperatures this week, the birds have been more active. The pine grosbeaks visited each day; providing a pop of red color at the feeders. This morning I noticed an evening grosbeak with them. It's bright yellow feathers stood out in the crowd.

A pileated woodpecker tried to feed at the tray feeder. The attempt was unsuccessful as it couldn't hold on long enough to reach the seeds and suet. It was very entertaining to watch as it would swing back and forth. 

The little birds have been visiting as well. The nuthatches, redpolls, juncos and chickadees took turns at the feeders when the grosbeaks were not there. They tended to feed on the deck surface on all the seeds that the large birds knocked out of the trays.

It wasn't just in the yard that the birds were busy. I got to the trails for a hike each day this week. I heard the chickadees singing their 'cheeseburger' songs. I saw a pileated woodpecker and a black backed woodpecker. The bluejays and crows squawked overhead. The grosbeaks sang from the top of the spruce trees. It appeared as if the birds were celebrating the warmer temperatures just as much as I was.

Redpoll

Black capped chickadee

Pileated woodpecker

Pine grosbeak

Back in the deep freeze. There was a week of warmth and sunshine. That was just a bit of relief from the Christmas deep freeze. The 'extreme cold warning' was back this week with temperatures in the high -30Cs again.

The days were sunny and for me the temps were tolerable as long as there was no windchill. I watched each day to see if my garden flag was waving. If it was still, I was outside.

I ventured out for some snowshoeing on 4 out of 5 days this week. I dressed for the weather and had a great time on the trails. When it is cold, the sounds are crisper. The bird calls echo through the woods. The snow is crunchier and the creaking of the trees is louder. You can experience a 'different' world in the woods.
 

I'm all for the layering when going outside. My winter jacket is good to -40C. I'll wear a couple lighter weight shirts underneath. I have some windproof nylon pants that are fleece lined. I'll add a pair of leggings under them if it is colder than -24C. My boots have a thick, warm lining that is good to -40C. I'll wear a light pair of ski socks in those. A pair of gloves inside a some mittens, a warm touque and a neck tube finish off the ensemble. I'm looking pretty stylish by this time. 

At the trail head I'll add hiking spikes or snowshoes depending on the snow conditions. Both keep you safe on the icy patches. In either case, I use one or two hiking poles for some stability during the hike.

I may take some hand warmers with me but don't use them unless absolutely necessary. I try to stay out for about 1-1.5 hours and most often my hands stay warm without them. Once I get moving, the fingers stay toasty as the frost builds up on the outside mitten layer.

Winter doesn't mean that you have to stay inside. With the proper clothing to keep warm and comfortable, you to can enjoy the winter experience. It's not going to go away so all I can say is embrace it.

Windproof, fleece lined pants for warmth.

Boot liners good to -40C

Poles for stability while hiking or snowshoeing

Spikes for stability while walking on icy trails

Warm head gear and a neck tube are a must

Brrrrr. That's all I can say. Between December 24 through 31st, the warmest daytime temp was in the mid -20Cs with windchill bringing it down to the mid -30Cs. Overnight the coldest evenings got to below -40C. I have no idea how cold it got because my thermometer only goes to -40C. I just know it was too cold to be outside; even for this winter lover. I spent the days inside, stoking the wood stove so the furnace would not run 24/7.

The 'hibernation time' allowed me the opportunity to browse through all my photo files from 2017. Photography is an opportunity for me to be outside; whether in the garden or on the trails. I'm posting some of my favorite photos from the past year. Enjoy!

Happy New Year. I hope everyone has the chance to explore more in 2018; even if it happens to be in your own backyard.

Beautiful autumn colors at the Beaver Hills Biodiversity Trail

One of many moose on my favorite hiking trail.

One of the beautiful sunrises outside my kitchen window.

Wildflower season in David Thompson country.

Canada Geese protecting their goslings.

Western Toad in my backyard.