The snow has been around for so long that it felt like I was forgetting something when I didn't have to hike with snowshoes this week.

There are still patches of snow in shaded areas on the trail but all signs point toward spring finally being here. It was a great week to be outside.

Have you ever witnessed a black capped chickadee preparing a nest? I did. I was under the impression that they built nests with twigs and such in evergreen trees where they like to hang out. I found out that is not the case.

I was in my favorite section of the woods when I saw two chickadees in a birch tree. One had started a hole in the bark and was pecking out bits of wood. The hole was almost large enough for a bird to get into which made me think that it was going to be a nest. 

When I got home I got the bird book out and sure enough, the chickadees excavate holes in trees and once the hole is large enough, they begin dropping the bits that they peck inside the hole to make it soft for the eggs. This was a first for me!

The spring migration has started in earnest. Swans and sandhill cranes flew over today. It was difficult to get my yard work done when I was constantly watching the dance that the cranes were doing in the sky.

In between visits to the trail, I managed to get the garden beds prepared, ornamental grasses cut down, lawn furniture uncovered and a lot of yard clean up done. I'm looking forward to the first bonfire of the season and am hoping that it will be this weekend! I can smell it already.

If you didn't get out much through the winter, there is no excuse now. Start with a little jaunt around the neighborhood to see what signs of spring you can find. Enjoy!

Nest excavation

The chickadee dropped the bits of wood that it excavated.

Back inside for more.

A lovely heart-shaped entrance to the nest.

Spring migration - Swans

Spring migration - Sandhill cranes

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I saw a snowshoe hare yesterday and it was as white as could be. That's probably a good thing since there was another four inches of snow at the beginning of the week.

It began with rain that turned into big, wet flakes that kept falling until everything was wearing a blanket of white again. I must admit that it did look beautiful but even this winter person is longing for camping season.

On Tuesday morning I had to dig out the snowshoes again for my daily hike. I put them away thinking that they wouldn't be needed until next winter. Silly me.

I ventured to my favorite trail. It looked like a perfect snowy Christmas card. My timing was impeccable. I went out early while the snow still clung to the branches. An hour later would have found me dodging the melting snow as it dropped from overheard.

Young trees were bent over under the weight of the white stuff; creating obstacles to get around. That was tricky. I didn't want to knock the branches and end up with snow down the back of my jacket.

The towering spruce and poplar trees were wearing stripes. The wet snow clung to the rough bark creating patterns in the woods.

There were lots of animal tracks on the trail and through the trees. The black feathers of a crow lay under a spruce. A coyote ate well the night before. That is one thing that I will miss once the snow is gone. I could see all the tracks of the nocturnal animals in it.

The woods were silent and peaceful. It was beautiful but I'm ready for spring.

Have you ever had a close encounter with a porcupine? I did and it was the highlight of my week. 

There is a stand of willows interspersed with birch at the far end of the snowshoe trail at the Strathcona Wilderness Centre. I was feeling lucky and hiked to that spot with the hope of a porcupine encounter. I've seen them there previously.

As I got closer I noticed that more tree branches were chewed bare since my last visit. The porcupines were busy. In fact, one of them was still midway up a birch tree and was munching at the tender bark.

The trail took me to within 10 meters of the tree but I wanted to get in closer. No snowshoes meant sinking to my knees in deep snow and filling up my boots but the pay off was worth it.

Just call me the porcupine whisperer. As I approached, the porcupine stopped chewing, didn't move and just watched me. I talked to the little guy and he appeared to realize that it was just the crazy lady with the camera again. He straightened his body and gave himself a little belly scratch before continuing with his meal.

Geese honked and flew over head. Squirrels chased each other up and down trees. Blue jays squawked from the tree tops. I got lost in the moment; watching that porcupine for more than 30 minutes. I think it was the snow melting in my boots that finally brought me back to reality.

What a great outing! Enjoy the up close and personal photos that I snapped. I hope you are able to get out more now that the temperature warmer. Happy hiking!

Birch trees appear to be a favorite snack spot for the porcupine.

It held the stick just like we hold onto a cob of corn.

I think January has returned. It was -24C at 7am on Monday and today it is -26C. -26C on April 6! That is not going to help melt all the snow. I pulled out some old photos of my yard for comparison. In 2016, there was no snow left at the end of March. This year, I still cannot see my garden beds. Even if the groundhog predicted 6 more weeks of winter, we are beyond that.

Even though the morning temps were chilly, I donned the winter gear and made my way to the trails for my daily hike. Visiting each day provides me the opportunity to see who visits overnight. There are usually fresh tracks in the snow. I've been trying to ID them. That has been a lot of fun. This week I saw something new!

There was a lot of untouched snow on the pond surfaces so when I came round a bend and saw rows and rows of deer tracks, I knew something was up. They all lead to one spot; a small area that the beavers had dammed up. The scene looked like the remains of a party gone wrong; a rumpus if you are familiar with the story 'Where the Wild Things Are'. 

The snow was trampled and discolored with bodily fluids. Large clumps of hair lay on top of the crusty snow. I've seen does fight when they get angry and it isn't pretty. They rise up on their hind legs and bring their hooves down on their foe; tearing hair out in the process. There had to be a lot of does and a lot of foes to warrant the scene in front of me.

I didn't have my snowshoes with me that day. I tried walking out on the ice surface but there was still a meter of snow and I was sinking past my knees. I took the snowshoes out the next day. By that time, the scavengers had been around to check things out. Birds left wing imprints in the snow and coyote tracks crisscrossed the deer tracks. I could only imagine the fight that happened a couple nights prior.

I noticed that there has been more action in the woods of late. The hares, coyotes, foxes, and squirrels have been more active. The squirrels have been breaking into their food stores. I often wondered where all the hazelnuts go before they ripen. I found out this week when I came upon the broken open shells at the entrance to a squirrel tunnel in the snow.

The mice are venturing out to the surface of the snow rather than traveling through their tunnels. The magpies are busy gathering twigs and constructing nests. The geese are back. I could hear their honking overhead. Too bad their ponds are still covered in ice and snow. I hope that spring actually arrives before the swans do. I've been watching them raise their young for two summers now and hope to do so again.

The forecast for next week is looking more spring-like. Here's hoping that turns out. Some garden centres and greenhouses have delayed their openings by a couple of weeks. Last year the driving ranges were open. This year they will have to plow them out if they are hoping for an early opening.

Bundle up and head out to enjoy that last bit of crisp, fresh air. Think spring as you watch for all the signs that indicate that it is just around the corner. Enjoy!

Spring 2016.  Where's the snow?

Spring 2018.  Where's the garden?

Deer tracks lead to the beaver dam.

Remnants of a big fight.

The scene after the deer left.