I have never seen pheasants feeding on corn shock bales before.

It is indeed a hard winter for wildlife.

THIS WINTER HAS BEEN A RECORD BREAKER SO FAR. THIS IS TOUGH ON WILDLIFE, DOMESTIC STOCK, AND US TOO. BUT IT ALSO BRINGS A STARK BEAUTY.

This winter, as with the last two, has been very tough on the wildlife. The deer have taken to eating at our bird feeders. They also tend to eat almost any new tree that is unprotected.

The hardship of deep snow is often offset by the shear beauty of a fresh Minnesota snowfall. We took this picture from the deck of our house.

The snow this December is so deep(30-40 inches across S.E. Mn.), that foot travel is very difficult.

Old Store at the Historic Forestville site.

S. Branch of Root River as viewed from the lower campground in Forestville St. Park. We hiked the frozen snowmobile trails to get this picture.

Deer Creek just before it meets Bear Creek and forms the Middle Branch of the Root not far from the village of Fillmore, Mn.

Deer Creek at Lime Kiln north of Spring Valley, Mn.

Old iron bridge on the Bear Creek in Fillmore county MN.

The record snows of December 2010 made for great snowmobiling, that is until the thaw and the refreeze of the last few days of the month.

Once the snowmobile trails freeze down the make for great hiking in the parks.

Snowmobile trial just west of historic store in Forestville.

Fresh pecking work by a Pileated Woodpecker in Forestville State Park.

Pileated Woodpeckers are almost as large as a crow. They can somehow detect larva in the wood of trees that are in trouble. We have had one hanging around our big birch to the south of the house. That tells us the birch is probably on its last leg.

Hoar Frosts are large crystals of frost that are created when foggy warm moist air passes over a cold surface such as cold tree branches. It can create a surreal winter landscape.

Hoar Frost on the trees of the N. Branch of the Root River by Fugals Mill S. of Rochester Mn. The picture below was also taken in that area.

The 2 page article was written for the Spring Valley Tribune.