Tuesday, Remi and I returned to the 20-acre, Emma Burnham Outdoor Center in St. Louis, Michigan. The early morning weather was cloudy with a temperature of 12 degrees and no wind. We exited the car and headed south into a dense woodlot of mostly Red Oak, White Oak and Sugar Maple. Continuing south on the trail where 3 inches of new snow had fallen, I followed fresh cross-country ski tracks as they came to a fork and turn west. As the trail curved south, I began trudging through 18-inch snowdrifts that had developed from yesterday’s strong westerly winds. Next, I paused to peruse the winter landscape and listen to the faint call of a crow. Further ahead, I spotted fresh deer and shrew tracts. The shrew is a small mammal that is well adapted for winter survival, including a thickening of its winter pelt and ability to cache food and move around in a subnivean environment (under the snow). It’s active only a small percentage of the wintertime, allowing the rest of the time for low-energy activities, such as deep sleeping. Finally, we looped back to the car, turned on the heater and headed home.

January takes hold

Earth’s rhythm slows

Leafless trees are silent

Except for noisy crows

Under cover of snow

In the forest scene

Blades of woodland sedge

Stopped making green

In the dead of winter

A most amazing fete

Heart of Mother Nature

Continues a steady beat

D. DeGraaf