Very cold temperatures and then two 30cm plus (one foot plus) dumps of snow within 3 days made for less getting out and about in February.
Because of the last two years' abnormally warm weather Winterlude (Ottawa's winter festival) was scaled way back this year in terms of ice sculptures and some other activities. The cold weather this year however was a hit for those wanting to skate on the Canal and play at Snow Kingdom. But the ice sculptures etc were underwhelming.
A walk in the woods early in the month before the big dumps, but after a 3-4cm (8-10") snowfall produced a gallery of wintery scenes.
A barred owl, and a few smaller birds, caught my eye during a walk through Fletcher Gardens after the big snowfalls
Spotting a pileated woodpecker capped off a visit to Petrie Islands. There were other critters and frost crystals around as well to catch the eye. The ice fishing village has certainly grown over the years
Two visits to Mud Lake, one pre, one post, the big snow dumps came up with many of the usual subjects. While hairy woodpeckers aren't rare, they don't often show themselves, one did on the first visit. The turkeys were having a hard time getting around in the deep snow after the big snowfalls. The robins this year seem to be moving around farther afield than in past years looking for food - mainly shriveled, dry buckthorn berries
