I guess today is as good as any to start actually posting to the blog we created. Today is my first 'snow day' of the year! The lake effect snow we are getting right now is beautiful. It comes in bands of heavy snowfall followed by sunshine filtering through light snow creating this mellow yellow sunshine on the drifting snow. It's so hard to describe, I'll stop there. Tonight it is supposed to get to -14 degrees! We have not had too much snow to speak of in the Copper Country this winter. The lake effect is now beginning to give the area some reliable snowfall. There was enough snow on the ground on New Year's day to head out for our first cross country ski on our trail system here on the property. Last year we were skiing on our trails in December. Jason has taken the time to build a “Leveler” this year, this is to widen the groomed trails before laying tracks for cross country skiing. Since he has tinkered both the Leveler and the Track Setter to almost perfection, I have encouraged him to post his ingenious creations to this blog.
Last weekend, we made some signs for our trails, mostly just the snowshoe trails. These are the trails that are a little too steep for skiing, though adventurous friends have skied down them in telemark fashion. We named 4 trials so far, which include the Birdhouse Trail, Valley Trail, Birch Tree Trail and Steep Hill Trial. We also have a little out and back one that goes to one of the Beaver Ponds. Our next goal in to make signs for the cross country ski trails. Jason also plans to GPS them to make a map. This marking and mapping of the trails is in hopes that some day we will be able to share the trails with our friends and neighbors and not be worried that they get lost back there. We have several visitors throughout the year and want them to enjoy our space as much as we do.
The Wildlife Report
The coolest thing I have seen this winter is a Flying Squirrel. I didn't even know they existed in our region. Jason was filling the wood boiler and told me to come outside and check out the little guy. He was clinging to an apple tree starring wide eyed at us. We also have a little white weasel that lives somewhere either in or near the garage. He is very curious and is not shy to get close to check out we are doing. He is really cute, we decided to name him Rascal.
We have a busy bird feeding station that has brought in a nice variety of birds this winter. We have a covered platform feeder, a couple bird house type feeders and a few tube feeders. This summer, I found a piece of driftwood that has several branches sticking out, which has given us more area to hang feeders and has given the birds a place to perch while waiting their turn for the feeders. We use black oil sunflower seed, venison suet, beef suet and put bacon grease on a grease log that Jason made. If there is interest on how to make the grease log, let us know and we will post directions. It is simple to make. We regularly have Evening Grosbeaks, Pine Grosbeaks, Goldfinches, both Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, Blue Jays, a Red Breasted Nuthatch, a White Breasted Nuthatch and Chickadees. Infrequently, we have Common Red Pols and Pine Siskins. On the property we have recently seen Ruffed Grouse, Ravens, Crows and a mature Bald Eagle that sits patiently in a tall aspen tree that overlooks our garden. Today is a perfect day to sit by the window and watch the birds with a hot cup of coffee in hand.
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