Winter wonderland walk

"Of course when we walked during the snowstorm, it was a wonderland too, as in
'I wonder if we are still on the path.'"

A recent spat of snow had me reminiscing about the song "Walking in a Winter Wonderland."

The song was written in 1934 by Felix Bernard.

A search of several internet sites claimed the song is about a couple in love strolling on a winter's night. 

However, I prefer to do my wintertime strolling during the daytime.

​After viewing coyotes and other nighttime visitors on the trail cameras, I think we will stick to the daylight hours.

Nonetheless, I will say that it truly was walking in a winter wonderland the first morning after the significant snowfall.

The forest dramatically changed overnight.

​Every single tree and shrub was outlined in white.

Of course when we walked during the snowstorm, it was a  wonderland too, as in "I wonder if we are still on the path."

However, when we traverse our paths as the snow is falling, is very peaceful.

​It was so silent and quiet. While I didn't hear sleigh bells as the song stated, I did hear the snowplow coming down the hill as it utilized its engine brake. 

I did observe the snow glistening. It was certainly bright as the sun came out the day after the snow. I loved the way the shadows of the trees made lines on the freshly fallen snow.

Of course reflections of snowy branches were also brilliant.

"Gone away is the bluebird," the song stated. This was true in my immediate area as I have not seen one since the snow fell. However, a check of the Birding Pennsylvania Facebook page revealed that some state residents do in fact still have bluebirds around.

​The photos were quite a contrast with the blue hues of the bird against snowy backdrops.

"Here to stay is a new bird," the song continued. It seemed that these are truthful lyrics as well. The birding site was all a twitter with the annual arrival of the winter birds.
​ Dark-eyed juncos, chickadees, tufted titmice and more winter in the region.

"He sings a love song as we go along," the song said. Most birds do mate in the spring and thus there's a lot of "love songs" sung then. However, great-horned owls and barred owls do sing their mating songs in the winter.

​ So if the song was indeed about a couple walking at night, it is possible they were serenaded by an owl. If you have ever the mating calls of great-horned owls, I am not sure I would describe it as a song. I would perhaps call it more of a ruckus. However, some folks think rock music is just a ruckus too.

The rest of the song pertained to snowman building and a marriage proposal. That's where the similarities of my wonderland walk and the couple's wonderland stroll ceased.

While my walking companions were not human, most of them enjoyed the snow.

The canines loved the snow.

The St. Bernard and Newfoundland were bred for it and the bloodhound seemed to love sniffing it.  

​They romped and stomped and tried to dig some unsuspecting critter out of hibernation.

The goats seemed disgruntled by the appearance of the white stuff, but went along for the walk anyway.

​Nonetheless, they chomped on some snow-covered evergreen branches.

Everyone did sport their orange for safety during hunting season.

While my walk in a winter wonderland wasn't exactly like the song's lyrics, the wonderland part does seem accurate.
I am always in awe of the change in scenery after a heavy snowfall.

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