February's cold temperatures delivered and we received yet another winter wonderland blanket. Despite having had a greater amount in previous weeks, the five inches that fell this time painted a different picture. It was a 'wetter' snow and it stuck to everything. It was a completely different kind of beauty and serenity. With that in mind, we'll stop the words and let you experience it in silence like we did.
As usual, we had the place all to ourselves. Or so we thought. We took a few walks through the campground and realized that we were not alone after all. The evidence revealed that we had been keeping company with...
Rabbit
Deer
Fox
(The fox makes a perfect little print)
In the lead for the 'cutest prints' award is the Opossum.
They look like tiny people hands.
We tracked these larger prints off through the woods.
At nearly three inches, their size can be a bit daunting.
We're pretty sure they belong to a Coyote but these prints are larger than any we've seen before.
After the snow cleared, we had a beautiful weekend in the sixties and the campground filled for the first time in months. As things quieted down again, Nicole walked up to the wetlands to check on the bullfrog eggs. The area was alive with a croaking chorus. Yet, as Nicole approached, only one of the songsters braved an appearance.
Wood Frog... just chillin'
We are sad to report that the original two batches of eggs that we observed, did not survive. There were, however, five new batches of a slightly smaller egg (different frog?).
It is due to warm up again for a few days so perhaps these will survive to become tadpoles.
That is, unless the Red-spotted Newts get to them.
Did you know... these cuties can live up to 15 years? We didn't.
The Wintergreen has begun to show more as the fall-leaved ground cover disappears.
In addition to our regular avian gang (like this cute little Nuthatch), the advent of spring
has brought in a few new feathered friends including a pair of American Robins and a
pair of Eastern Bluebirds.
Well, as of this writing, we have completed our volunteer term at the Red River Gorge, have departed the Bluegrass State and are on the road for points further south. The wind is blowing and we've taken to wandering again.