BS: What Did You Read in the Snow?

Subject: BS: What Did You Read in the Snow?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 05:08 PM

Today what I saw while inspecting our lower barn, which is under much needed repair, is a pattern of tracks in the snow. They immediately attracted my interest because they began in the middle of an open space and then trailed off for about 15 feet, still in the open space. When I looked at them more closely one end looked like something had exploded in the snow; from there extended a series of tracks which magically transformed into two wingmarks. Yes, and when I went back to the other end there was this tiny set of tracks leading to it from the barn. Looks like a hawk or owl came swooping down for its mouse din-din and then took it home.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: What Did You Read in the Snow?
From: Mickey191
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 05:28 PM

Just plain ole bunny tracks, but at dawn-the lovely sight of a ring neck pheasant dining under the bird feeder. Later some wild turkeys appeared for the first time ever. Lots of new homes in this area-so we'll be having alot of "Firsts" I suspect. A bear has been spotted closeby.

Subject: RE: BS: What Did You Read in the Snow?
From: Joybell
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 05:47 PM

Oh for a bit of cool! cool! snow! Or maybe a drop of rain. Thankyou for sharing your Winter sights.

Subject: RE: BS: What Did You Read in the Snow?
From: GUEST,KateG at work
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 05:49 PM

Found the yellow-shafted wing feathers of a flicker on my morning walk. It had obviously fallen victim to a hawk or owl. Lots of deer tracks, and one set of bear tracks. Hopefully the bear had the sense to stay in the state park, cause it's bear hunting season in NJ this week.

Standing in the snow-covered woods, looking over the leaden waters of the lake at dawn. Magical.

Subject: RE: BS: What Did You Read in the Snow?
From: Sorcha
Date: 09 Dec 03 - 06:11 PM

Itty bitty kitty prints. Dog tracks. Wonder why........

Subject: RE: BS: What Did You Read in the Snow?
From: Hrothgar
Date: 10 Dec 03 - 02:34 AM

What's snow?

Subject: RE: BS: What Did You Read in the Snow?
From: Metchosin
Date: 10 Dec 03 - 02:55 AM

hmmm....yellow....I think my husband peed off the deck again....

Subject: RE: BS: What Did You Read in the Snow?
From: Peg
Date: 10 Dec 03 - 08:18 AM

I saw a bunch of robins while I was cross country skiing yesterday. That seemed unusual to me; I thought they flew south for winter?? Then again, the Canada geese used to do that, too and lots of them stick around now.
I saw deer, bunny, squirrel and quite possibly coyote tracks, and   plenty of people and dog tracks.
A greeting card company based in Maine does lovely old-fashioned cards (woodcuts etc.), and one of the holiday cards shows winter animal tracks in snow...

Subject: RE: BS: What Did You Read in the Snow?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 03 - 08:49 AM

My teenage daughter's name. In yellow. In her handwriting. With four footprints -- two of which were her boyfriend's.

Subject: RE: BS: What Did You Read in the Snow?
From: Cluin
Date: 10 Dec 03 - 11:15 AM

Could've been a partridge (ruffed grouse), Charlie. They will often sleep snuggled under the snow where it's warm and wake up and explode upwards on the wing out of it if something comes near (like a little mouse walking over top..)

Happened once when I was a teenager that I stepped on one and it shot up from almost right under my snowshoe. Scared the living shit outta me, it being such a quiet morning in the bush that day, after a thick light snowfall overnight. Ended up on my back in the snow wondering what the hell happened till i saw the partrige in the cedar tree above me.

Subject: RE: BS: What Did You Read in the Snow?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Dec 03 - 11:26 AM

Cluin-

Partridge can do just that! Generally that's more likely to happen in the woods or more remote fields. This was in the barnyard.

So far no wise guy has mentioned Dr. Zcibago, but probably because they can't spell any better than me.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: What Did You Read in the Snow?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 03 - 11:32 AM

Guest:

it's difficult for a young 'lady' to write in yellow in the snow without leaving more than one set of footprints.

Maybe the provider of the writing implement was the boyfriend!

Subject: RE: BS: What Did You Read in the Snow?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 03 - 11:32 AM

Yes, but even that would quickly become uncontrollable!!!

Subject: RE: BS: What Did You Read in the Snow?
From: GUEST,bbc at work
Date: 10 Dec 03 - 12:08 PM

Something close to my front door--maybe raccoon or skunk?

bbc

Subject: RE: BS: What Did You Read in the Snow?
From: Pseudolus
Date: 10 Dec 03 - 01:30 PM

Cluin,
   Are ya sure it was a Cedar tree? A Pear tree would be a bit more fitting...


Frank

Subject: RE: BS: What Did You Read in the Snow?
From: Cluin
Date: 10 Dec 03 - 02:02 PM

Seasonal, I agree, Frank. But not likely in the Northern Ontario bush.

Subject: RE: BS: What Did You Read in the Snow?
From: open mike
Date: 11 Dec 03 - 03:32 AM

i tend to come inside to read...
too cold outside
to turn the pages.

Subject: RE: BS: What Did You Read in the Snow?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Dec 03 - 09:35 AM

Thanks, open mike! That needed to be said.

As I post this our snow is having a melt down. By tomorrow morning we'll probably just have a skating rink in the tenants parking area. They'll be expecting me to sand. Oh, pity the downtrodden landlord!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: What Did You Read in the Snow?
From: Alaska Mike
Date: 11 Dec 03 - 10:11 AM

One of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen in the snow is reflections of the Northern Lights. When the lights are particularly brilliant and colorful, the snow changes colors along with the sky. Quite stunning.

As the snow piles high in the Chugach Mountains just east of Anchorage, the resident moose have trouble finding forage. This time of year is great for seeing these 1500 lb ungulates wandering around town, crossing the street right in front of you, nibbling on the bark of trees in your yard, and basically scaring the living hell out of you in the early mornings when you go outside to warm up you car.

Happy Holidays to all,
Mike

Subject: RE: BS: What Did You Read in the Snow?
From: Alaska Mike
Date: 11 Dec 03 - 10:18 AM

Case in Point

Subject: RE: BS: What Did You Read in the Snow?
From: Rapparee
Date: 11 Dec 03 - 11:31 AM

It's a faint dusting here in the lowlands today, but it's coming down on the tops of the mountains. Piling up, too, which is good news since we're still in a drought. Druther it piled up up there, because it will help to refill the reservoirs if we get enough of it.

Yeah, AKMike we got termination dust a couple of months ago even though the fireweed topped out about September 15. And if enough piles up in the hills to cause avalanches, bring it on (besides, I'm not in the way).

Subject: RE: BS: What Did You Read in the Snow?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 11 Dec 03 - 11:49 AM

Guest - if your daughter's name was in full and if she has as many given names as some of the UK royal family seem to need - I'd suggest that her boyfriend might need to be tested for diabetes.