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. 

Warm, cold, really cold is the recurring theme. Early in the week I was on the trail, having to peel off layers because the temperature was +9.4C. Today I woke up to -22C at 7am. 
 
It seems that the only thing for discussion these days is snow and the fluctuating temperature. The total snowfall for the week was about 10cm. Those poor little plants sprouting in front of my window will be inside for a while yet. The garden beds are still buried.


The 25+cms of snow on the garage roof slid off only to be replaced by more snow. The tops of little Alberta spruce can now be seen in the backyard; just another 40cm of snow to melt.

The warmer days at the beginning of the week allowed for some fun on the trails with one of my grandaughters. We put the snowshoes on and headed out for some fresh air and nature watching. There wasn't much to see on the first day.


The second hike took place at the Strathcona Wilderness Centre. We were looking for porcupines but were out of luck. The squirrels were really entertaining; chasing each other up and down trees and jumping from branch to branch. I think they thought my little hiking partner was a tree. They came to within a foot of her. If she wouldn't have moved I'm sure the squirrels would have ran up one side of her and down the other. 
 
The tulips in the floral departments at the grocery store and a visit to a local greenhouse has me longing for some spring color. That blanket of snow in the backyard is taking its sweet time to disappear. I do so enjoy my winter activities and have put a lot of kilometers on my snowshoes but my kayak, tent and bike are ready for some attention. Bring on spring.


What is the first outdoor activity that you will participate in once the snow is gone? Happy Easter everyone!

Snowshoe fun in the woods.

Animal tracks in the snow.

Checking out the worm holes in the snag.

We had it all this week; fog, rain, heavy snowfall. The foggiest morning left the tree branches coated in hoar frost. As I walked the trail, when the woods were silent, I could hear the frost crackle. It was eerie but beautiful at the same time.


The first day of spring was a warm +10C with blue sky and sunshine. It was a great day for a hike. The moose were out; mama with her twins and a male/female pair. A black backed woodpecker pecked on the bark of a tall spruce. It's not often that I get to see one of them.
 

Later in the week, the pileated and hairy woodpeckers frequented the backyard feeders. The pileated one was very entertaining. During the winter, the suet blocks were frozen solid but this week they were soft. The pileated woodpecker landed by the suet and proceeded to tap on the block. Its beak sunk to the bottom and it tried all sorts of ways to remove the fat that coated it.


It was a great week for wildlife watching and for hiking. The upcoming week will probably be the last for snowshoeing and x-country skiing. The snow on the trails is starting to deteriorate. 
 
The snow in the backyard will take some time to melt but as it does I'll be planning what to put into the garden beds. I've got some ideas to extend their use by putting in a trellis for some of the vine crops. As much as I like the snow, I also like gardening and camping so as the seasons change so will my outdoor activities. I'm outside no matter what season or temperature.


Are you planning your garden? Enjoy!

How did you do? Did you get to enjoy some of that golden sunshine this week? I sure did!
I spent 10.5 glorious hours hiking 29kms this week. The sun was shining, the sky was blue and Mother Nature provided the entertainment. 
 
I rotated my time between Elk Island, the Biodiversity trail and the Strathcona Wilderness Centre. Each offered up some fantastic experiences.


Let's start at the Beaver Hills Biodiversity Trail. The snowpack at the Bio trail is down to half of what it was last week. There is still a lot out there making it hard to believe that in a couple of months the ice will be gone from the pond and the swans should be back. 
 
As I hiked, the chickadees sang their 'cheeseburger' songs when not foraging for seeds on the birch branches. There were a lot of moose, deer, squirrel and weasel tracks visible. No sign of the big cat tracks this week so I'm thinking it has moved on.


The snowshoe trail at the Strathcona Wilderness Centre offered up an opportunity to get some close up views of a couple of porcupines. It's almost guaranteed to see one or two at the far end of the trail. There is a thicket of willow and birch that appears to be a favorite spot for them. I spent an enjoyable 30 minutes watching them feed on the birch bark. The forest was so still that I could hear them nibble. I am always in awe of their ability to balance on narrow twigs but after observing their long claws, I can see how they are able to hold on.
   
The Simmons Lake trail at Elk Island had hard packed snow. No need for snowshoes there. The temperature hit a balmy +9C on the day of my hike. Needless to say, some of the layers were being removed as I wandered through the woods. It was a beautiful sun-shiney day. Not a cloud in the sky made for a beautiful contrast between the bright blue hues and the white snow. On the way out of the Park along the parkway, three young elk were feeding alongside the fence. It is not often that they are visible. What a treat! Bison, moose and white tailed deer grazed along the fence line adjacent to Highway 16. 
 
Twice this week I saw moose on the way to a hike. The rural roads are not busy in the early afternoon so I was able to pull over and observe them feeding on willows at the edge of a wooded area. 
 
The backyard has been quiet. The flock of redpolls and grosbeaks that had been visiting the backyard feeders through the winter have left. 
 
There are signs of spring everywhere. Puddles forming from the melting snow. Pussy willows opening on the branches. The native grasses that I planted last year are without snow cover now and are about 2cm tall.


It was great to see so many people on the trail this week; some local and some from a distance. I welcome the opportunities to share the info and observances that I have gathered about the local trails and to hear about those that I've not yet visited.


So many 'locals' are not aware of the wonderful opportunities to be with nature that exist just a short drive from Edmonton. Many of them are free so the only cost is the price of gas to get there. Where else could you spend an entire day breathing in the fresh air, clearing your mind, getting some exercise and learning about the environment surrounding the big city for only the cost of fuel?


So, what's your outdoor goal this week? A walk around the backyard or the neighborhood? A visit to a local park or river valley trail? Maybe it's just a few minutes on your back deck?
Whatever it happens to be, take the time to engage your senses. Be in the moment. Listen to the natural sounds around you; birds singing, water running, snow crunching. Smell spring. As temperatures begin to climb, the spruce and pine sap will begin to flow and the smell will be delightful. Watch for colors, textures and patterns in the woods; the oranges and greens of lichen on the treebark, the straight lines of holes drilled into tree trunks by the sapsuckers, the patterns left as the snow melts. Birds will begin the search for the perfect nesting materials and will become more active.


Whatever your outdoor experience is this week...Enjoy!


Are you on Instagram? Follow me @ outdoor_rambler.

Mind reset. That's what happens when I'm in the woods. Each day I look forward to that fresh air experience where there is only me and Mother Nature.

This week I trudged through the trees for a total of 18kms. There were days when I didn't want to go home; especially those with lots of sunshine and bluebird skies.

There's something about that walk each day that is peaceful and calming. I can leave all my thoughts at the parking lot and put myself in the moment.
 

I hear only the crunching under my snowshoes until I stop and listen. The trees may be creaking in the wind. The birds may be singing or the coyotes howling. The moose or deer may be running through the brush.

During the winter I love watching for tracks in the snow. One is able to see 'who goes there'. This has been the first time that I've noticed big cat prints. I've been able to piece together what happened in the woods the night before by paying attention to the tracks.

The spots where the big kitty was lying in wait for its prey were visible. The hollows where the moose lay down to rest were numerous along the trail. There were holes in the snow where squirrels and mice ducked under the deep snow for shelter.

This week I came across the remains of an overnight kill. Coyote tracks were visible along the trail that lead to an area where black feathers were strewn about the base of a towering spruce. An unsuspecting crow became supper. 

I saw mama moose and her twins foraging in the willows. Their tracks were visible on the trail and were going in the same direction that I was so I was on the look out for them.

A great horned owl was visible on the outskirts of my favorite area in the woods where my 'thinking bench' sits. Six white tailed deer were resting amidst the trees until they heard me coming. They sprinted across the pond to the woods on the opposite side. There is no sneaking up on anything when on snowshoes!

Chickadees sang their songs from the birch branches. Blue jays squawked from the evergreens. Squirrels chattered from the tops of old snags. The call of a pileated woodpecker echoed through the trees.

I love my time in the woods. As I walked the trails today I wondered about the spring melt. It's going to take a while for all that snow to disappear. There's about two feet of hard packed snow where I've been walking each day. 

This coming week should be a beauty for some outdoor time. If you have the opportunity to head to a local park or walk through your neighborhood, try being in the moment where you concentrate on the sights, sounds and smells around you. It will be a great time for a mind reset. Enjoy!

I was away with no internet access since last Thursday but got back yesterday. While away there was a snowfall warning for central Alberta. There wasn't much for snow at the farm but I got home to find almost a foot of snow on my driveway.

As I got closer to home I could see the telltale signs that there was a lot more snow in this area. The township roads were plowed out but the range road that runs through the hamlet was still snow-covered and there was a lot of it.

It took about 1.25 hours to shovel out; starting with a narrow path to the front door so I could unload my vehicle that was parked at the end of the driveway.

It has been a long time since I've seen this much snow here. I had to start snowbanks in front of snowbanks because every time I tried tossing a shovel full to the top, it would slide back down again. Why fight it!

I couldn't let that fluffy snow go to waste. While I shoveled I kept wondering what my favorite snowshoe trail was like. I drove to the trail head and found a blanket of white. The edges of the trodden down path were visible but I was the first out so it was an hour and a half work out to break trail again. 

There is no shortage of snow this year. I think it will be June before the snow on the trail melts. There is almost two feet of hard packed snow where hikers walk.

The only animal tracks that I came across where made by the moose. Mama and her twins were out, looking for food in the willows. I came across them at the beginning of the trail and again at the point where I turn around and loop back.

In addition to the moose, I got to see a fox at the farm in the morning. We were sitting at the kitchen table and it appeared at the north end of the yard. As we watched, it made its way through the yard and cut across the deep snow to an old grain shed that is no longer in use. From the looks of things, it has made a home under it. I think I'll take the trail cam out on the next visit and see if I can get some close up photos!

The sun is shining today and the sky is clear. There is no snow in the forecast and the temps are supposed to be warm. It will be great for lots of outdoor time. I hope you get to enjoy it as well!

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?

It's been a crazy week of weather. Snow, rain, extreme cold warnings, blowing snow warnings, temps as high as +6C and as low as -31C all in a week. Only in Alberta they say...

I don't think I've ever seen four hours of non-stop rain in February. It sounded and smelled like a summer rain shower. While it was lovely to hear and to smell, it coated the roads in a layer of ice that was thick enough to skate on. Needless to say, trying to drive on that I believe would be like trying to drive on ball bearings. 

When all the warnings got lifted and I finally got to go to the trails, I found the fluffy snow from earlier in the week covered in a layer of thick ice. As I broke trail through the drifts, I also had to break through the ice. Let's just say that there was no sneaking up on any wildlife that day. They would have heard me coming from miles away. I even managed to break trail on the pond surface again. That was a work out to be hold.

I was lucky in the sense that nobody else ventured out to the trails; probably due to road conditions. There was no one to disturb the wildlife so there was a variety of animal tracks to see. Sure, the normal squirrel and hare tracks were everywhere but I found some new ones. They were definitely big cat tracks. From what I could tell, it was keeping an eye on the hares and squirrels. After looking at some photos on line and in books, I think it was probably a juvenile lynx.

The sun was out today and so was I. The wind swayed the tall spruce trees back and forth. The sun's rays cast shadows across the trail between the trunks. The birds sang from the branches above. It was the perfect outing.

With this being a long weekend in Alberta, I hope that you too will have the opportunity for some outdoor time. If you can't make it to one of the parks, just a walk through the neighborhood listening or watching for birds or other wildlife is a good start.

Moose 'bed'

Squirrel made a 'butterfly angel' in the snow.

Deer track

Big cat tracks.  Possibly a lynx.

3 moose ran across the pond and up the hill on the opposite side.

Gusting wind created patterns in the snow.

Rain created some icy driving surfaces.

What a great week for wildlife watching! Moose, coyotes, deer, porcupines and the backyard birds provided my entertainment this week.

The pileated woodpecker announced her arrival in the yard by pecking at the power pole. The hollow sound resonated through neighborhood. She flew down to one of the tray feeders and proceeded to spread the sunflower seeds all over the snow. 

I watched in amazement as she searched for the perfect shells. She was skittish; watching and ready to fly at a moment's notice whenever she detected movement. When she had enough, she flew to a tall poplar behind my yard. I was just about to put the camera away when I noticed a second pileated woodpecker with her on the same tree!

It must have been the week for doubles. I saw two moose in the woods along the roadside and two coyotes crossing the road in front of me when I was driving to a snowshoe trail. 

The driveway and parking lot to my favorite trail were still not plowed so I made my way to the Strathcona Wilderness Centre to check out the snowshoe trail there. There were a couple of visiting school groups. The kids were on snowshoes and having a great time; lots of rosy cheeks. I wanted to avoid the group so I hiked the trail in reverse. That turned out to be a great decision.

The snow on Bennett Lake was fluffy and deep; perfect for the snowshoes. It wound in and out of the willow thickets. Moose tracks crisscrossed in front of me. As I got close to where the trail took me into the trees, I noticed not one but two porcupines in the trees.

It amazed me that they were active in daylight. The opportunity allowed me to observe them feeding on the young birch branches. They carefully nibbled the bark away; stripping the twigs of their covering. I marveled at how the porcupines can perch on the small branches and not have the twig bend. What a treat to be able to watch these two in action!

I missed going to my usual snowshoe trail where it is quiet and peaceful. The only sound I hear there is the crunch of snow underfoot. I tried getting there and made it onto the driveway earlier in the week but drove in and straight out. I was afraid to park for fear of getting stuck as it still had not been plowed out. 

I attempted to get something done about getting a snowplow in there. Success! I received an email last night that informed me that the lot should be plowed out for today. There's a severe cold warning right now but as soon as the wind dies down, I'll be sure to check out my favorite trail again.

Wow! I think the snowfall that we expect for an entire winter has fallen within the past week and a half; 10+ inches last week and another 8 inches this week.

I was first on the Beaver Hills Biodiversity trail after the big snow last week. Breaking trail in 10 inches of fluffy snow took some time because of the depth of the snow but also because I stopped often to take in the beauty of the woods. What usually takes me 45 minutes, took double that time.

The tree branches were laden with snowflakes. Tree stumps were wearing 'snow caps'. It was a winter wonderland like no other. 

On my travels around the loop, I came across a moose foraging in the underbrush. It looked up as I trudged by. Deer and coyote tracks crisscrossed the trail. When I got to three quarters of the way around, I saw two more moose; both at the edge of a pond in the willows.

Woodpeckers visiting the rotten snags, tapped out a song that echoed through the trees. Chickadees sang their 'cheeseburger' songs as they flitted from branch to branch in search of seeds.

The woods were so beautiful after the snow that I didn't want to go home so I traveled to the Cooking Lake - Blackfoot Recreation area to see if the ski trails had been set. 

The trail conditions were amazing. There was lots of deep snow for snowshoeing and set tracks for the skiers. 

The sun is out this morning and the sky is blue. There is a lot of new snow from the past couple of days. I think I'll treat myself to an outing this afternoon in the 'freshies'!