An odd thing happened today. I found myself home, alone, and all caught up on my work. Amazing. My conscience said that I should use the time to catch up on housecleaning, but 40 degree temps in February lured me outside.

With cell phone and camera I wandered off into the woods. I can’t remember ever heading out into the woods without an entourage – husband, child, dog.

I followed deer tracks, spotted fox prints in the snow, and studied a large nest in a tree wondering if it belonged to a hawk or possibly my great horned owl. The only sound was that of the wind and this little woodpecker hunting for his next meal.

downy woodpecker

woodpecker

A baby Spruce peaking through the snow.

baby spruce tree in the snow

A rare and lovely solitary stroll in the woods.

A Solo Stroll in the Woods