winter's here

I fear that the start of winter has arrived. Snow has started to fall (and stick), temperatures are declining and signs of Christmas are popping up everywhere I go.

The animals are getting ready for the season. Mice are trying to find shelter, unfortunately some are in my car. Today, I saw a shorttail weasel in its bright white winter coat chase a shrew across the field. Predator - Prey in action.

I wandered out to my transect this afternoon and saw that the woods is well prepared for the upcoming season. Deciduous trees have lost all their leaves and the wildflowers are no longer visible. Perhaps the most depressing change was the lack of wildlife - nothing had crossed my transect by foot recently.

I can see the snow still falling outside my window but am going to curl up in bed and be in denial of winter's arrival for just a little bit longer.