March 7, 2025
We have sure run the weather gauntlet this week, from cold and sunny, to grey and rainy, and now back to cold and sunny. The snow on the ground has settled a lot, and snow on the steeper roofs has all whooshed off. As the temperature warmed, the snow started to creep, glacier-like, off of the metal roof on the Battery House, slowly curling around until it's suspended weight was too much, and it broke off and dropped.
The driveway is now an ice rink, refreezing after the mild weather and rain. Hubby spread clean wood shavings on the places we walk, while it was mild, and this morning they are frozen in, making access to the buildings safer. It was snowing and blowing last night, so all the ice elsewhere is covered with a layer of snow now, a very slippery situation.Last weekend was absolutely beautiful for snowshoeing, as we'd had a warmish day or two, the snow settled, then refroze with a skiff of new snow on top. No need to wade, the surface was firm, and one could walk anywhere on the soft, slightly snow covered surface. Off I went across the un-tracked expanse, to check out a neighbour's property.
These are some amazing, big, gnarly old oak trees on their hill,
framing lovely, far-reaching views. Back on the home front, the fox pair has been showing up on camera. Here, early morning, and one of them is passing the camera mounted on a solar panel pole, checking the spot where we often leave out treats for them.
This one is making tracks in the fresh snow at another camera.
We had a Snow Bunting show up under the bird feeders this week, all alone, but a sign that the season is advancing.
On Wednesday, Hubby tapped a few maple trees.
The rising sun is so much further north along our horizon, than it was the last time we had a clear, sunny dawn. The sunlight shining across the fresh skim of snow from last night is making a zillion sparkling prisms, as if someone has thrown crystals across the surface.
This morning, we can walk on the packed and frozen snowshoe trails, without snowshoes but,
or you will be up to your knee in crusty snow...
The pup and I walked out the lane to pick up our Leader. Man it is treacherous!!
ReplyDeleteDid you have cleats on your boots??
DeleteIt’s March Break next week. I remember sunshine and warmth and not much snow on at least some days last year. We went to Wheelers, and it was so pleasant.
ReplyDeleteI can also remember cross-country skiing on Algonquin trails with my son during March Break in the past, with 4 feet of snow on the ground, and -23C! We slept over in the van with air mattresses and sleeping bags. The cold came right through the metal...BRRrrrr!
DeleteEvery year is different, but the power and light from that spring sun doesn't change.
When I was outside this morning I could see the icy crust under a little powder snow and wondered if I could walk right across it. I could certainly do so in snowshoes, and would love it if I still could. Then Mrs. F.G. looked out the front door and saw what she thought were fox tracks right up our sidewalk and across the big piles. We've had a fox family out back in one of the ravines there, 2 out of the past 3 years. And maple syrup season, a favourite of mine. We made our own syrup for a few years when we lived in the country outside Guelph. Thanks for your frequent comments on my blog.
ReplyDeleteIt is perfect for snowshoe trekking now, as long as you go early before the snow gets sticky. We were out for several hours yesterday morning, exploring. You can go anywhere on top of the snow. Very cool to have foxes around. They look after the vermin that harass my garden! We expect the sap to start running well this week, as the forecast looks promising for that.
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