still winter, but...

Yes, it is still definitely winter here, though tonight's predicted precipitation should be rain.  There is still a good foot of snow on the ground, which is down from the three feet we had a few weeks ago, and the only bare ground around is where the snow has been cleared by shovel or plow.  I haven't even seen places where wild critter have cleared through - just a few squirrel tunnels.

 Here you can see the depth of the snow along a stream bank - we've still got some melting coming, and I'm sure we'll see plenty of rushing brooks come warm weather.

The oak leaves have mostly come down now, but beech leaves are still hanging on. 

 

Here are some oak leaves caught in the path after they blew down.

But spring is definitely on the way.  We've had some lovely days and the sunlight is stronger, and lasting longer, each day.  And here is the spring witch hazel (hamamelis vernalis) beginning to bloom.

Cute

It's been a long, cold winter. These young deer hang around my mom's house in upstate New York. Given their size, I would think they would still be with their mother, but maybe something happened to her. They also seem small for this time of year, indicating that they were born late last season.  They look healthy - and they sure are cute.

Lightning strike

Walking the dog this morning I came across a wide swath of bark chips scattered across the snow.  I could see no evidence of woodpecker work, but in looking up and around I noticed a long strip of bark missing from a nearby pine tree.  Last night we had a terrific thunderstorm with lots of lightning.  This tree must have been struck!  I've seen lightning-struck trees before, but rarely so soon after the fact.  And there was no evidence of burning at all, I suppose because of the rain, and the recent warm weather causing melting.  A very exciting February thaw.
These are phone pics, but will give some idea of the scene.

lots of snow

We've had so much snow here that I haven't been getting out as much as I'd like - unless you count shoveling.  I have had lots of birds at the feeds though, including a Hairy Woodpecker today.  I haven't seen one of those for quite a while, so I'm glad to know that they haven't abandoned our neighborhood.  Apparently we've had nearly 6 feet of snow so far this winter - there's still about 2 feet on the ground, not counting the piles where it's been shoveled or plowed.  I'm hoping that some predicted warm weather this coming week will melt it a little.  I love winter, but now it's just crunchy and hard to drive around.  We could lose a foot or so, and then get a fresh 4" on top - that would be great!