Icy Reflection
As I mentioned in my last post, the water level on the river has continued to remain abnormally high throughout the entire fall season staying at the 7 foot level. Starting about the second week of November, levels started to slowly recede to the present level of 5.8 feet.
This is still 2.5 to 3 feet above seasonal normal. The saturated soils in the watershed and current high levels does not bode well for avoiding flooding in the spring of 2020.
Coyote Track
Shortly after the November 7th cougar sighting at the Head of Lake Pepin, I scoured the nearby shore looking for cougar tracks in the sand. All I came across were large 3 by 4 inch tracks of a coyote. It is easy to distinguish coyote from cougar tracks by the presence of toenails.
Delicate Wood Shavings
While hiking the wooded shoreline in search of cougar tracks, I came across fresh delicate wood shavings at the base of a dead tree.
Downy Woodpecker Hole
Upon closer examination, I discovered a very recent cavity created by a downy woodpecker. This 1 inch diameter hole went 2 inches into the tree and then 12 inches straight down.
It was obvious this woodpecker was not searching for insects to eat, but was creating a place to survive the brutal conditions of a long cold winter night. Non-migratory birds in our local area need suitable habitat to survive. Chickadees and nuthatches like woodpeckers seek out cavities.
In some cases, woodpeckers face competition from red, grey and flying squirrels for those cavities. For that reason, woodpeckers will construct several cavities.
Fresh Snow on River Bluffs
On November 27th, we received our first measurable snow of the season. The 4 inches of wet heavy snow hung on the trees creating picturesque river bluffs.
Notice the lone mature bald eagle perched in some willows at the lower end of "Lighthouse Island" at the Head of Lake Pepin. For the most part, Lake Pepin has remained open until now (December 10th) contributing to the low number of bald eagles, common mergansers and goldeneyes being observed at the Head of the Lake.
Meadow Vole Tracks
Fresh snow on the landscape provides an excellent opportunity to interpret a variety of winter wildlife activity. Meadow voles are a prey species and provide a food source for birds and animals such as great horned owls, red-tailed hawks, fox and coyotes.
Voles make a network of trails that are used all year long as they feed on grass and seeds. In the winter, their tunnels occasionally open up on top of the snow. At that point they become easy prey for nearby predators.
Oak Leaves on Ski Tracks
Given the fact that I didn't get my cross country skis out of storage last winter until mid-January, I was anxious to get out early this past week. I usually ski down to Rattlesnake Bluff early in the morning before the snow gets sticky.
We had very strong south winds during Saturday night that brought down many red oak leaves and moved them along on top of the crusty surface of the snow. Apparently most of them ended up in my ski tracks making for rough travel. Typically many oaks will retain their leaves for most of the winter.
Winter Sunrise
A few minutes before sunrise this time of year creates some amazing colors in the eastern skies. This photo was taken from our home at 7:30 am December 5.
Fresh Beaver Cuttings
My last photo will bring you up to date on the beaver colony along Goodhue County highway 21 in Wacouta. What started out with them cutting down a large cottonwood tree this fall has continued at warp speed as they have brought down several more. Much of the wood has been used to enhance the impressive dam built right near the road flooding additional wetland.