Outstanding is the word that describes this week. The overnight temperatures dipped to -31C on a couple of nights but recovered nicely during the day. This made for daily outings that totaled 19.21kms this week on snowshoes or skis.

What made the outings even more amazing was the number of wildlife sightings as I wandered through the woods. I did not get a glimpse of the elusive lynx that has been stalking the hares and the squirrels but I did get to see white tail deer, moose, coyotes, and one owl in addition to the usual squirrels and chickadees.

I drove to Elk Island National Park and saw one moose and some bison enroute. I hadn't been to the park for a few weeks. The park staff are working hard to upgrade shower facilities, boardwalks, parking lots, etc. As I pulled into the parking lot at Astotin Lake, I noticed a couple of kite boarders making good use of the wind. 

On the way out of the park, a young coyote was trying to find a way to get to the opposite side of a fence. It was trying to chew the wire. That didn't work so it tried digging under the wire. That didn't work so it stuck its head through one of the openings in the wire. Got to give the coyote credit for persisting but it eventually gave up and lopped back into the trees.

The long range forecast is for warm temps and sunshine. That means the skis and snowshoes will not be collecting any dust next week. What will you do to celebrate the sunshine?