We've been getting a healthy dose of winter this year. I took a walk to Beechwood the other day to see how it looks under all the snow.

The path is a little harder to negotiate, but the skiers have been enjoying the conditions.

Tracking critters is a lot easier right now.

Look, no sign of garlic mustard anywhere!

But oops, we missed some Queen's Anne's Lace.

Bird report: for most of my walk I was surprised at the lack of bird activity. Finally, when I was nearly back to the road again, a redtailed hawk flew away. Immediately the chickadees started chirping all around me and this downy woodpecker worked over a tree a few feet away. I also saw a mockingbird and a kingfisher that was diving repeatedly for something in the river.