How a couple of weeks have changed the whole landscape. The Boreal forest that’s my neck of the woods has turned into a winter wonderland.
Cattails in the late afternoon light:
Snow may cover the ground, the woods are lovely still, teeming with life.
Official greeter, The Red Squirrel:
Winter’s friendly ambassador. Take a bow:
But this baby deer doesn’t look too happy… of course, where’s mama?
A Red-breasted Nuthatch, beautiful against the evening sun:
A seed in the beak is better than two in the snow:
Seed or no seed, this Pileated Woodpecker is busy pecking up the right tree:
But the most fascinating of all is my discovery of a Snowy Koala, a rare sighting indeed:
I’d rather be Down Under taking photos of his cousins, but this little tree hugger just made my wintry day more bearable.
The woods are lovely, still.
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Ripple Effects 
Winter is here as well in Minnesota. I am sooo not ready 🙂
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Sheila,
We’re not given too much time to get ready either. But I’m thankful for the warm breaks every now and then. And it’s sunny, most of the time.
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Beautiful photos. Snow already?
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Booketta,
We had our first snow storm in the first week of Sept. Now it’s the warmer break.
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Lovely! Maybe I will get bundled up and walk in the woods today.
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lostandfoundbooks,
Yes, that can be so rewarding. 😉
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Every single photo was more adorable than the last (well, except for the squirrels — they’re always the best, in my book.) On the other hand, your koala made me laugh right out loud. I’d never imagined looking at snow clumps like we do at clouds. This is just wonderful.
Our coots finally arrived day before yesterday, so winter can formally begin here in The Land of Pretty Subtle Winter.
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Linda,
That squirrel is such a charmer. They always come to you to greet you, why, they want treats. So do the chickadees and the nuthatches. I love them all. As for the koala, that has to be my rarest sighting, don’t you think!? Who would have thought of such a … what do you call them? Snow clumps? I haven’t particularly noticed them until I stumbled upon this one. The woods are lovely… 😉
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Wonderful photos! I especially love that gorgeous shot of the Nuthatch. 🙂
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Thanks Shari! I’m sure we have very different kinds of natural sightings from what you have along the West Coast. I’m sure you won’t find snowy koalas. 😉
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I don’t know about snowy koalas, but we do get snow! It doesn’t usually stick around for long, though…not like prairie-style six months straight. But maybe six days. 😉
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I’d love to spend time on the West Coast. You know, I’ve been to Tofino once, very short stay, just a couple of days. But I’d never forget the huge sound of those roaring waves.
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What a gorgeous post Arti. Your bird photos are especially good today. I love your wood pecker shots- and you koala too of course- that made me laugh as well- well spotted, I can’t imagine seeing it. I especially love squirrel photos- probably because we don’t have any.
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Thanks Louise, glad you’ve enjoyed these pics. You know, I have you in mind when I took that pic of the snowy koala. I thought you’d enjoy it. And I’m surprised to learn that you don’t have squirrels.
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Super photographs, I can’t believe the woodpecker one really fab
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Thanks Charlotte. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the woodpecker. I’ve many more. 😉
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I love winter in the woods and, as usual, you have wonderful wildlife populating them! Beautiful photos….
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Thanks, Michelle. This is truly a charming place. It’s a boreal forest right within our city.
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What wonderful wildlife shots. I like them all, but the woodpecker is really impressive.
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Thanks Ginny. I’ll post some more woodpecker photos in the future then. I see them quite often, albeit not this beautiful pileated woodpecker. 😉
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Well done for spotting a koala in the snow!
Although it has just hit 30°C at 11am here in Sydney today, so your pics a welciome cool relief!
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Brona,
Thanks, that sure is one rare sighting. And likewise, some much needed warmth from your posts whenever I visit your blog. 😉
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Ha! That smear of snow on that tree stump indeed looks like a little koala, Arti! As usual, all great shots, but my favorites are those of that adorable looking red tail squirrel. Note I said “adorable looking”. I would not put any of my digits anywhere near that little critter, but if I had a pocketful of peanuts, I’d gladly hand those over.
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LA,
That squirrel sure is a charmer… so sorry to disappoint him for not throwing peanuts. You know, technically, I’m not supposed to feed these wildlife because the boreal forest is a provincial park, and feeding is forbidden within its limits. I can’t take one single stone, or pick one single leaf. But I can take photos. So here they are. As for the snowy koala, that’s got to be the rarest sighting I’ve ever made. 😉
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Beautiful wildlife photos. One of the few things I enjoy about winter is the softer lighting in photos. Mr. Squirrel really is adorable… except for the ones in my yard that raid the feeders.
And you have Red-breasted Nuthatches! There must be plenty of food up north for them – they haven’t migrated down to my area this year… not yet anyway.
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Leslie,
I see more White-breasted ones, but now and then these Red ones would come out to greet me. I love their colour. I know quite a few birds do stay here throughout the winter. Maybe this one too, I’m not too sure.
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That wood is so lovely in the snow – like something out of a fairy tale, and the wildlife photos are amazing. No snow here, just lots of rain! But the fungi are incredible this year. My Snapshot is very late this week (computer problems) http://chriscross53.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/mushroomy-things.html
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Christine,
Maybe I’m used to it … I think I’d rather have snow than rain. The snow here is so dry, You can just wipe them off your coat and shoes. But of course, you’ll have a totally different set of wildlife in your area with the moisture. The interesting variety of fungi is something we won’t see here. I think your climate is more like Vancouver.
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Gorgeous photos, but brrrrr! Early winter weather! I love the brilliant colours on the birds that make such a beautiful counterpoint to the white snow. And the squirrel is adorable.
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litlove,
Despite the snow, we still have clear blue sky most of the time. The sun is a wonderful consolation in the winter.
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Ahh…love all the critters! The here’s lookin-at-cha photo with the red squirrel is so much fun!
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Ellen,
Yes, they are charming. This one is well-trained as a greeter. 😉
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These pictures are stunning, I wish I lived somewhere so beautiful.
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Alice,
I’m sure you’ll find beauty in your neck of the woods too. 😉
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Wow! You are so lucky to have caught a snowy koala on film! Everyone knows how shy they are and so rarely seen! 😉 Wonderful photos as always!
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Stefanie,
Indeed, a rare sighting and I’m sure, chances are I won’t see it again in the future. 😉
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I think you know I am no fan of winter — but oh! These wonderful images could help me to rethink that! I have one of those first woodpeckers (Hairy?) at Lizzie’s Bar and Grill. One of my favorites! And your sweet squirrel indeed reminds me of a maitre’d! It’s difficult not to fall a little in love with a world of white. And kudos on nabbing the elusive snowy koala! His cousins couldn’t be cuter — and are far more common!
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Jeanie,
That small little charmer is a male Downy Woodpecker. They are a little smaller and more delicate looking than a Hairy (the name says it all). I’ve made another first sighting this afternoon. i won’t say what that was, but so excited even now and will post this Saturday. Stay tuned. 😉
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Beautiful winter, chilly and pale! (am I permitted to think like this if I live in Los Angeles and know nothing about sub-zero temperatures and 5 ft. high snowdrifts?) I love the wee birdie echoing the black/white/red patterns of the larger wood pecker!
And I wondered if you have a theory: why do squirrlies wave their tales at you? Are they annoyed – frightened – or waiting for an expected treat? I saw one a couple of days ago, and it didn’t run away but stood there wagging its tail. Of course I spoke to it – who wouldn’t? – but that was all I could think to do!
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Aubrey,
That little birdie is the Downy Woodpecker. We see a lot of them here. As for the squirrels coming right at me… for treats, obviously. Same with the Chickadees and Nuthatches, one even landed right on my fingers as I tried to shoot his photo. They all want treats.
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