More Winter Fun @ PI
My husband Don snowshoeing at PI
Last year my husband surprised me with snowshoes for Christmas. At first I wasn’t sure I cared for this gift. I don’t know why, after all I used to cross country ski. But after trying them out I knew it was just what I needed to hit the trails at Presque Isle in winter after a good amount of snowfall which we have been getting. We started out near the Light House on the Sidewalk trail then turned onto Dead Pond trail which I had not been on for awhile. The snow was just right for our snowshoes as we walked beside the cross country ski tracks and not on them to prevent making ruts for the skiers.
A trail
This is A trail one of the side trails off of Dead Pond trail. It takes you to the Pine Beach area of the park.
Toni at Pine Tree beach area
Here at Pine Tree beach we walked out to view the lake and its massive ice dunes. They are awesome to see but dangerous to walk on. Amazing how the waves become frozen in peaks but they are not solid underneath.
Frozen Ice Dunes
Deer rubbings
All along the trails are signs of wildlife living on the park. You will see tracks everywhere and places where the deer are rubbing their antlers and have bedded down for the night.
Snowshoes Don made in class at Presque Isle State Park
The park is always offering classes and few years ago Don took a class making snowshoes. And yes as you can see they are usable and not just for hanging on the wall. He did an awesome job making these and I believe they still offer classes on snowshoes. If you are interested you will have to call the TREC for a class schedule.
I tried to photograph birds but it was difficult. We mostly saw downy woodpeckers. At one point we saw a hairy and a downy next to each other. This was a first for my husband and you could really see the difference between the two. Sorry couldn’t get a good shot of them. we also saw and heard several chickadees, titmouse, and on one area of Dead Pond trail we always find several Tree Sparrows feeding off the dried grasses.
Downy Woodpecker
Tree Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
And lastly I love photographing the milkweed in winter with the seed puffs frozen in time.
I like the snowshoes your husband made. That would be a great class to take! The downy woodpecker and the sparrow photos are wonderful. It’s amazing how much nature is still so active in the winter.
Thanks for stopping by Kimberly. My husband did enjoy the class and the snowshoes are like a piece of art and in fact he signed them. The park and nature all through the year always amaze me.
If i could choose one winter sport..it would be snowshoeing..
but..I try to stay away from winter these days!
Nice post..u almost convinced me to get to some snow.
Nice photos Kelley! Love the snowshoes your husband made. Which reminds me, I need a new pair!
Found you on Dawn’s blog. I came here when I saw “Presque Isle” I used to live in Presque Isle, ME. I thought perhaps you were from there. Nice blog that you have. I like the frozen milkweed also. Good luck with the snow shoes!