Yet Another Walk in the Woods

The other day I joined a friend at his own place out in the country for another snowshoe walk.  It was a short and peaceful walk in a very different sort of woods, but it still took us over an hour.  And I enjoyed the wildlife!

The property backs onto the Bighead River, which was mostly frozen, but we had to step gingerly over this small stream to start our walk.

There were Wild Turkey tracks all over the place, and I thought we might see at least one.  They often walk in single-file, so leave more of a track than individual birds. 

A number of the spruce trees had piles of shavings from squirrels tearing the cones apart for the seeds.

I think this magnificent old Beech tree is one of the most beautiful trees I've seen.

And this enormous old Hemlock, now dead, is home to a Porcupine.  We actually saw it in the back of that open hollow, but it snuggled down lower so I couldn't get a picture.

 We tramped around the back corner of the woods, to the fence that used to separate it from a pasture.  A line of big old Sugar Maples marks the edge.

And then into the White Pine plantation, which my friend planted about 25 years ago.

There's something about all the bits of snow caught up in the branches of pine trees after a light fluffy snowfall!

Then we saw the first Turkey - but at a distance.  Can you see it behind the trees, walking along the edge of the field?  We ended up seeing two more cross the trail in front of us in the distance.  I also caught a glimpse of a big owl fly away out of the top of a tree.  We had heard one a few nights ago; they've started nesting here.

Then it was back down to the river, gently across the stream, and home.  A long and peaceful walk because we stopped often and just enjoyed the peace and quiet.

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Tomorrow we head for my next enforced medical 'vacation' in London.  This is the big one; I'm sure I'll have an interesting story to tell after I recover.  all thoughts, prayers, and crossed toes will be gratefully accepted.  I'll be gone for a week or ten days, and maybe back here in two weeks.  Try not to miss me too much!