By Mary Beth Pottratz
Waves of Snow
Deep waves of snow wash across the wetland, sparkling in the late sunlight. The cloudless sky is surprisingly hazy, and I wonder why. Sure enough, the Air Quality Index is only moderate today, due to wildfires in the west.
Blue jay
But temperatures have warmed near to 30⁰, and chickadee and juncos are flitting among trees and shrubs. A blue jay flaps its wings wildly to balance atop thin branches of a young tree. It manages to pick a few buds before a group of crows caw loudly and chase the jay off.
Frosted tree branches
Always a lovely sight, tree branches are frosted with thick layers of white, accentuating their lines and shapes. The depth of snow reminds me of cookies frosted in heavy lumps by children, eager for a sweet treat.
Snowshoers
A pair of snowshoers stride by easily atop snowdrifts. Soon, trails will be ready for cross-country skiers as well.
Red osier dogwoods
Red osier dogwoods stand tall above snowbanks. The bright rhubarb color of their naked twigs is an attractive hue for landscapes.
Red osier twigs
But this native shrub also provides habitat and protection for wildlife and nutrition in its buds and berries. And now is the time to start planning! Wonder where to start? Try the Advanced Search at MinnesotaWildflowers.info.
Soon the moon, which was full just two days ago, will rise in the cloudless sky and reflect on our whitened landscape. If you can get away from city lights, it is striking to be outdoors with only moonglow on snow. I hope you try it soon!
Mary Beth Pottratz is a Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer. Learn more at MinnesotaMasterNaturalist.org.
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Nature Notes 
By Mary Beth Pottratz
Waves of Snow
Deep waves of snow wash across the wetland, sparkling in the late sunlight. The cloudless sky is surprisingly hazy, and I wonder why. Sure enough, the Air Quality Index is only moderate today, due to wildfires in the west.
Blue jay
But temperatures have warmed near to 30⁰, and chickadee and juncos are flitting among trees and shrubs. A blue jay flaps its wings wildly to balance atop thin branches of a young tree. It manages to pick a few buds before a group of crows caw loudly and chase the jay off.
Frosted tree branches
Always a lovely sight, tree branches are frosted with thick layers of white, accentuating their lines and shapes. The depth of snow reminds me of cookies frosted in heavy lumps by children, eager for a sweet treat.
Snowshoers
A pair of snowshoers stride by easily atop snowdrifts. Soon, trails will be ready for cross-country skiers as well.
Red osier dogwoods
Red osier dogwoods stand tall above snowbanks. The bright rhubarb color of their naked twigs is an attractive hue for landscapes.
Red osier twigs
But this native shrub also provides habitat and protection for wildlife and nutrition in its buds and berries. And now is the time to start planning! Wonder where to start? Try the Advanced Search at MinnesotaWildflowers.info.
Soon the moon, which was full just two days ago, will rise in the cloudless sky and reflect on our whitened landscape. If you can get away from city lights, it is striking to be outdoors with only moonglow on snow. I hope you try it soon!
Mary Beth Pottratz is a Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer. Learn more at MinnesotaMasterNaturalist.org.
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