I’ve been around for a few Michigan winters (62) and I can not recall having so much snow so early. We’ve probably got 15-16 inches on the ground right now, and there is more in the forcast.
Now I’m one of those guys, that don’t really mind the white stuff. In fact I love a freshly covered landscape all white and clean. How could an artist ever duplicate what a few inches of snow can do to ones environment, a forest, a mountain stream, or your own backyard?
Yesterday I took a little walk, in the fluffy white stuff, and to my surprise didn’t see many animal tracks. I expected to find out where the rabbits were hiding, but my scearch turned up not one track. The squirrels are somewhat lighter, and they seem to traverse the snow just fine, but Mr. Cottontail either hunkers down in his burrow, or stays on the fringes of suburbia. I say that because even though I saw no rabbit tracks in the wild, there were some around my back deck and front bushes.
The wrens, titmouse’s, and black capped chickadee’s visit the feeder all day long, as well as a couple cardinals. It must be near to impossible for our little feathered friends to make it through such a grueling winter without some help. I wonder how the deer are faring, especially those in the Upper Peninsula, where snow depths are in the 5-7 foot range. The hemlocks and cedars will sure take a hit, this year, in the winter yarding areas.
It was good to get out for awhile, but I was ready for a hot chocolate when I got home. I stayed warm, but my face looked like a tomato, as I didn’t have a mask on. It made me thankful for my new furnace, hot water, and comfy home that’s for sure.
Mike
We have definitely been dumped on pretty early this year Mike. I totally agree with that.
If you want to see rabbit tracks, you can come check out my back yard. I live in the city and they are everywhere.