March 4

Wednesday, I drove 8 miles southwest of Alma and hiked some property west of Osborn Rd. owned by Larry & Anne Marrin. The early morning weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 23 degrees and a brisk wind out of the west. After parking the car, I put on my snowshoes and headed west across an open field where 3 inches of new snow fell yesterday making it easy to spot fresh tracks from a running deer. Turning north, I was pleased to observe my second Snowy Owl of the year as it circled high in the distance before disappearing into the tall trees. Approaching the 30-acre woods, I noticed a Fox Squirrel scampering up a tree and resting on a limb to eat. I continued north into the woods where the snow-covered ground was heavily marked with fresh tracks of Wild Turkey and Whitetail Deer. Other evidence of recent turkey activity included feathers and scat. I also came upon some fresh tracks and scat of an Opossum as well as a meandering snow ridge made by a tunneling Meadow Vole. Following the turkey tracks and sounds, I turned east and spotted a few of these foraging birds in the distance before they disappeared in the understory. Next, I paused to take in the sights and sounds of this scenic woodland. Finally, I completed the loop back to my car and headed home.

Earth moves to March

Few clues around

Nature’s Flora Queen

Nowhere to be found

Trees are still naked

Ground is still white

Forest almost silent

In early morning light

Cardinal in the canopy

Love to hear you sing

Sweet courtship song

Foretelling of spring

D. DeGraaf