by Jim and Melanie
Squire Point trail is a favorite place for hikes. We go there several times a year in different seasons to see the variety of ways nature presents. Today was day 1 of the new year. The Sun was out. The wind was not strong. The temperature was above 32˚F. We bundled up and went there. It was a good day to be out.
We stopped and chatted briefly with two of Jim’s former teaching colleagues. Their dogs were huge. Several families were out with small children enjoying the day. One father was especially loud but good natured. The lake was frozen over solid but we did not venture onto it. There were icy patches on the trail we negotiated very carefully.
Melanie pointed out these tiny fungi that looked like plates or saucers. The biggest is about 1/2″ wide.
Jim risked falling into the stream to get this picture of a small frozen water fall about 2′ tall.
We both spotted this bear cub hugging a small 6″ tree. We were surprised to have never noticed it before on our hikes.
Our View From Iowa 
It felt good to be out, first hike for us since October 11!
That long? Wow!
I am smiling about the description [as well as the cool photo] of the Fairy Plates. Imaginative. Plus so attentive to small things while hiking. Happy New Year!
Hi BJ. Thank you for stopping by. Melanie is good at seeing things I miss. It goes both ways, too.
Happy New Year, BJ. We saw big and little today. Thanks for taking a look.
Lovely pictures. We had two nice hikes today, and discovered a sizeable hawk’s nest we’d never noticed before. New eyes for a new year for all of us?
Happy New Year!
Thank you. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a hawk’s nest. New eyes would be a good thing for all of us. I’d add new brains, hearts, and outlooks. This world is getting the best of too many people. We don’t know how to cope with it.
I hope your new year goes well. I plan to make mine as good as possible in spite of what some others might do.
The fungi are delightful, but that bear cub? Just wonderful. You may have seen this video of real bears engaging with trees, but even if you have, it’s worth another look. Every time I watch it, I can’t help myself — I end up laughing. I have a small collection of “pick me up” videos, and this one’s included.
That was great! Sometimes you gotta scratch that itch real good. It is a good addition to your ‘feel good’ set.
I enjoyed the quiet joys of your winter walk. The bear cub is extraordinary!
Thanks. Today is not good for such a walk. It is freezing rain and 1/4″ on all surfaces. It will melt soon as the temps warm up.
I see no bears out the back window. Lot of Junco Sparrows and Squirrels.
Oh I love the Juncos 🙂 It rained here all night last night. Sure glad it wasn’t snow! Left quite a soggy mess out there, though. You’re right~not a day for walking.
I’m ready for some sunshine. It might come tomorrow and thursday. Our ice was melted by mid-afternoon. No damages.
Oh good. Most of our ice was melted but then of course froze again. We have standing water where the village insisted on putting in curbs. The land now clearly slopes down to the sidewalks, and the engineer could only scratch his head!!!!! Yes, some sun would be most welcome, wouldn’t it?