Icy reception

We were greeted on Tuesday morning with freezing drizzle. Walking on the snow covered path wasn't bad, but anything that was stone and asphalt was challenging.

It was also a struggle to get frozen gate latches open especially when impatient canines were ready to go no matter the weather.

Evergreen trees were bending low with branches touching the ground. I went to try to get a shot of ice covered larch cones. However when I traveled toward the tree, the goats followed.

They proceeded to try to debark the tree which can result in damage. An argument and chase ensued. On top of that the photos of the cones didn't even turn out. I guess that's just the nature of things.

As we continued through the woods it was neat to see how the forest was transformed into an icy landscape. Tree branches were smooth with ice. The freezing precipitation coated just about everything.

Pops of color were provided by some winterberries and multiflora rose hips. Most of the native winterberries have served as food for wildlife. It was a little hard to locate a shrub with any berries still on it.

In contrast, the invasive multiflora roses seemed to be untouched by any critters.

Earlier in the week, I was able to snap a photo of a deer I have dubbed "the broken horn" buck.

He had both horns before the rut, but appeared on the game camera afterwards with a broken horn.

It is hard to tell, but I suspect he may even be the buck that was "nursing" this past year.

Meanwhile, the temperatures rose and the ice coatings disappeared.

Then it got cold and froze up again.

That's just the nature of things 'round here.

​Special thanks to Buffalo Street Lanes for your support of Eight & 322.