Winter Landscape

Printer-friendly versionSend to friend

Winter Landscape
A blanket of white snow changes our way of seeing in the winter. On a sunny day we can be blinded by the brightness of the snow. In contrast the long winter nights are not so dark especially when awash in moon light. In day light the landscape around is reduced to dull brown trees against stark white snow we start to see differently. Shadows appear blue on the blanket of white. Land contours are more visible, animals easier to track, we see farther without leaves to block our view.

No matter where you are, in town or in the country surrounded by acres of farm fields, the snow landscape tells a story. Looking out my window I see a distant brush/bramble area. When I trudge through the snow, literally over the river and through the woods, I find the ground surrounding the brambles packed and thick with rabbit trails. When crops are up this low brush is no longer visible to me. In another direction I see a barn a mile away poking up from the winter white ground. Come summer it will be behind a fence row of trees and out of site.

While driving I have seen tan colored deer and dun colored coyotes clearly visible against the background of white A flock of turkey are easy to spot pecking the frozen ground for food. The hunter in pursuit of game also stands out if not careful to conceal him/her self. Ridges of land are easy to follow even if covered by woods. Heavily used wildlife trails are packed down by footfall.

In the snow covered woods we see through the trees to nests that are old, currently occupied or newly built. Last year’s songbird nests are easy to spot, grab and examine. What did the bird use to build the exterior of the nest? What material was used to soften the inside? The answers to these questions will help to determine what species of bird lived near you.

Look high up for the leafy squirrel nests in the tallest trees. These are currently occupied and will be for a while longer. During warm winter days I see a fox squirrel in the trees along the creek but know it will return to its leaf bed at night. Look for the Great Horned Owl building their nest now. These early birds will be laying eggs any day now. Burr!

Look out your window or trudge through the snow and look for the winter landscape story written in the snow in your backyard.

Allison Brady
Executive Director
Heritage Trails Park District
1.23.09