Quite a winter we've had so far. Nature has been throwing a mixed bag of winter goodies at  us. Last week  the average temperature ranged around -6C to -12C, and with the incessant wind -- occasionally moderate, but now and then whipping through the atmosphere, our daily hikes through the ravine have been extremely cold. 

Added to which has been the two snowfalls, mere days apart, that together brought us up to our average snowfall for the date, which usually falls gradually to the accumulation we see now. Those two storms added 70 cm of snow on top of what had already fallen previously. The snowpack on the street alongside people's driveways is considerable, lawns are under three to five feet of snow.

 

 

So yesterday and today we had a break. Wind, to be sure, but temperatures rose to 3 and 5C; one day sunny, the next overcast. I set aside my snug Icelandic winter cap and double mittens for lighter coverings.
We still dressed Jackie and Jillie in their warmest winter jackets and little boots, but we felt significantly more comfortable, given the warming  trend. We're not so foolish to think that it will continue, but we'll enjoy it while it lasts.

 

 

Yesterday too, for the second time on the weekend, we saw a pair of Mallards in the creek.  That was a surprise. We usually see returned Mallards along with at least one Great Blue Heron in the spring. We're nowhere near there yet. There were also flocks of robins, swooping down to the creek and then back up again graceful arcs toward the overhanging trees. A week ago we saw a family of three Pileated woodpeckers.  

For our hike today we were accompanied by our youngest child. Some young child; he's now 62 years of age. As a biologist, apart from being our son, it's always such a pleasure being with him on our hikes, as he points out things we're less likely to notice, much less interpret. He won't stay with us this trip as long as his ten days in December/January. It's just that he had a conference in Hamilton and stretched his stay another week for us.

 

 

Today's hike took place in the expectation that it might rain while we were out. Lucky us, the rain held off. The forest trails are in fairly good shape now, well trodden down from use since the last of the snowstorms, to form a fairly solid base underfoot. Still, the trails apart from the main trail, tend to be narrow and choppy, just a bit of a challenge on our ascents and descents of the hillsides. 

When we had completed our circuit for the day, Jackie and Jillie leading the way, we stopped briefly adjacent the forest creek, wondering if the ducks were still in residence there. Thinking about what they could be getting to eat, likely algae and minuscule aquatic life that might sustain them. It's possible that this pair and others didn't migrate south this winter. Instead spending their time at places along the Ottawa River, which the ravine creek feeds into.

 

 

First order of business on our return home is always preparing a little fresh vegetable salad for Jackie and Jillie. In anticipation of their after-hike treat, they rip through the house after one another, sliding on substantial scatter rugs, nipping at one another, excited beyond measure at the prospect of wolfing down their favourite treat. 

 

That done, I decided to bake a small batch of chocolate chip cookies. While I was in the process I thought why not make them chocolate-chocolate-chip cookies, so I did. I had the oven on anyway, to roast a pair of Cornish game hens for dinner, and it took no time at all.