We are getting the promised snow - started around 8 a.m. and is coming down steadily. I measured about 3/4 in. at 9 a.m. It's pretty out there, but not as nice as it was yesterday.



















Bill and Diane Rossi were skiing at Burke yesterday. Diane sent the above photos and commented, "I feel so sorry for those poor people in FL and AZ, to miss days like this!"
Top picture is looking northwest at Willoughby Gap from the top of Burke Mountain. Bill was waiting for Diane to ski down to him - and that's him poised, ready to shuss past the necklace tree to get to his favorite spot for lunch. Diane said they had a great day, beautiful sunshine, warm temperatures and the snow was perfect.

We did our usual walk yesterday, but when Fred let Otto (Jamie and Marie's dog) out, he went a little berserk, barking and took off into the woods towards our house. He didn't want to come back when we called him but also seemed reluctant to go further into the woods. We thought he must have seen or heard another animal, and finally coaxed him along with us, but he kept returning to sniff the air from the snowbank next to the woods.

When Marie got home, we got a call from her saying he had taken off into the woods and when she finally got him in, she put on her snowshoes and went to see what all his fuss was about. She found a deer carcass with lots of animal tracks around it where they'd been feasting. We suspect coyotes took down the deer. In the deep snow, a deer has a hard time, but the coyotes would be able to run without breaking through the crust. This morning, we had an email from Marie saying she spotted a large coyote and a bobcat as she was heading out this morning. Then Fred just happened to look out at the right time and there was a bobcat heading down our driveway.

It's definitely attracting a crowd. Jamie said they could hear crows at the scene of the kill this morning, too, so apparently everyone is getting in on the banquet. I think the plan is for Fred and Jamie to burn the remains this weekend - if there are any remains. That will prevent a stink this spring and keep our domestic animals from getting into the carrion.

We hate to have the deer taken like that, but it's nature's way - survival of the fittest. We have often come upon remains when we've been snowshoeing in our woods, but we haven't happened to have one killed this close to our house. You can bet Woody will be kept indoors for as long as there are any remains out there to attract predators. He's a big cat, but wouldn't have a chance against hungry coyotes and bobcats.

Road crews are busy, and I just heard an ambulance call to Mad River for an injury, the second call this morning - they have two ambulances out now. I don't know what the injuries are, but visibility on the ski slopes would not be good today, I think - those trees and other skiers would appear out of nowhere.