The ice-covered ground led to difficult walking on this -3 degree, very windy and overcast morning. Sometimes sliding down a slope was easier than walking:

The woods at Lambton are full of Skunk Cabbage in spring and I mentioned to the group how this plant is often one of the first to appear in spring. It will begin growing while still immersed in snow and the heat of the foliage will actually begin to melt the snow. Shortly after saying this, a group member spotted some growing in a wet area. Pretty impressive for February 8.

Here are some scenes from the park:

I always try to go early to the walk locations and, as I approached the bird feeder area, there seemed to be few birds. Here is the reason. A Cooper’s Hawk; a bird which dines from other birds.

Other birds from this morning:

A kind soul puts shortening into tree crevices and here are a few of the birds that take advantage:

COMING UP: February 10 in Friends of Miles: Bats: Milos Radakovich

February 13 in Articles: Mallards

NATURE POETRY

O Winter, ruler of the inverted year,
Thy scattered hair with sleet like ashes filled,
Thy breath congealed upon they lips, thy cheeks
Fringed with a beard made white with other snows.    

– William Cowper (1731–1800)

Miles Hearn