A beautiful weasel

As we stoke up our fires and sip hot cocoa in our flannel pajamas, animals are coping with the chilly weather out in the forests and state parks of Vermont. Living with such drastically changing seasons requires flexibility and resilience in our wildlife species. Some animals migrate to warmer regions-taking long and often obstacle ridden trips in order to spend the winter months in milder conditions.  Some animals slumber the winter away in a state of hibernation or torpor. Yet, some animals stay active and find unique ways to cope with the cold weather.

Animals that stay active tend to grow thicker fur to trap air close to their bodies that acts as insulation against the cold. Some animals like to move into our homes to stay warm.  Those of you who live in similar climates understand how difficult it is to keep mice out of your house when the temperatures drop.  One great way to deter these small rodents, that I discovered accidentally, is to have a weasel move into your woodshed.  My woodshed is attached to my house, so the weasel is in a great location to nab mice that are on their way from the good habitat of a woodpile to the great habitat of my kitchen. 

Weasels have another way of coping with winter in addition to eating mice, their fur changes color.  Weasels in summer months are brown with white bellies and black tips on their tails. In winter, they turn white all over except for the black tip on their tail. You can imagine that this coloration is a great camouflage, protecting weasels from other predators and increasing their ability to catch prey.

A white weasel easily blends into a snowy background

Interestingly, weasels begin to turn white based on photoperiod or length of daylight. So, even if we have a winter that does not start out with lots of snow, the weasels will still be white. The white fur is actually a molt, meaning that their brown fur falls out and white fur grows in to replace it.  Sometimes, you can spot a weasel in the process of turning white in the fall or turning brown in the spring. It will have splotches of both colors.

Seventy-five snowshoers begin the 3.3 mile race

A leisurely walk in the park is not what the annual Woodford State Park Snowshoe Race is about. This fast-paced 3.3-mile race drew over seventy-five athletes who competed for respect as well as good Vermont eats - a loaf of bread from Vermont Bread, Green Mountain Coffee, bagels from Works Cafe & Bakery, donuts from Mrs. Murphy's Donuts, and locally made bean soup, all of which they get to dig into after crossing the finish line. Competitors ages ranged from thirteen to seventy-plus and all of the athletes finished the race under an hour and twelve minutes - the winning time was an amazing twenty minutes!

The winding trail allows racers to see how far ahead they are of fellow racers

This snowshoe race in Woodford State Park has kicked off the Western Massachusetts Athletic Club (WMAC) snowshoe race series since 2001. Veteran Race Director Jack Quinn has learned much since then. He began the Woodford race with fellow snowshoe enthusiast John Pelton. Together they have created a well organized and well attended outdoor event.

Jack prepared for the day's event by making sure the course was free of fallen trees and overgrown bushes, which was surprisingly easy this year. Woodford State Park volunteers, Hamilton Topping and Lorna Cherlton, put in great energy and enthusiasm into improving the trail last fall. Hamilton and Lorna added planks in low areas, filled in gaps with boulders, and trimmed back vegetation. The trail work has already been much appreciated - even in the off season! Another helping hand, Dave Dunham of Northfield, MA, went out pre-race and prepared the course for runners by marking the 3.3-mile trail with flags to ensure no one would lose their way.
 

A happy snowshoe race finisher

For more information on snowshoe racing, to see more photos, or view results, visit Western Massachusetts Athletic Club online. You will notice in the photos that the athletes tend to be smiling more at the finish line than any other place on the course. Well done racers!

Winter Tales and Photos!

What a whopper of a pike! Great catch!

Do you have a great wintertime story and/or photos that you'd like to share?

If so, send them to us and you could be selected as a 'feature' in our next e-newsletter, blog posting, or facebook posting.

Examples include challenging hikes, a successful (or unsuccessful) building of snowmen or igloos, your pet enjoying fresh snowfall, or a first attempt at an outdoor winter sport.

Send photos and stories to:

Email: [email protected]
-or-
Mail: Vermont State Parks
        Attn: Winter Photos

        103 South Main St.
        Building 10 South

        Waterbury, VT 05671

No Child Left Inside 

Sledding is a fun reason to get outside in the winter

Children are spending less time outdoors and less time in free play. A Kaiser Family Foundation survey completed in 2009 found that children spend an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes a day in front of television and computer screens. When converted to a per week rate, it is equal to 53 hours and 26 minutes of screen time. That is more than a full time job!

Lots of other research has been done on this subject that clearly links the decrease in time spent playing outdoors with increases in a variety of physical and emotional problems in our children.

Try doing a week or more of no TV!

To combat this trend, take time to share the outdoors with children. Show them how to make a snowman, go for a walk in the woods, or take a look at the little things outside, like snowflakes or plants.  

Exploring the woods on a sunny winter day

Some of the best memories are made by snowshoeing with friends and family (click here to access great snowshoeing trails in the parks). People never remember their best day watching television, but memories of childhood winter adventures will stay with your children for life.