Frosting on the Cake

Peaceful

Harsh Survival

Cold Insulation

Icy Music

Crisp Songs

Christmas Bird Count

The 113th Christmas Bird Count will take place from December 14, 2012 through January 5, 2013.

Participate.

Deer Tracks

Deer tracks

White-tailed Deer breed October-November.  It's a good time of year to notice small trees that bucks have rubbed the bark off of to mark territory and polish antlers.  Also look for scrapes on the ground where males have scraped back the leaf litter to expose the soil with their hooves.  

Riding on the York Rail Trail

November 23

22 mile bike ride starting at Hanover Junction Train Station, York County, PA.

Hanover Junction Train Station has a museum, restrooms, parking lot, picnic tables and Penn State Extension Master Gardener's garden. 

Trail runs next to the train tracks heading south towards Maryland.  The trail winds past streams; wetlands; a wildlife sanctuary; houses; an ice cream shop and antique store; farms with horses, sheep and chickens; and forest.  Some areas are overrun with Japanese Honeysuckle, Norway Maples, and Mile-a-Minute.  Some areas have beautiful rock cliffs with ferns and Virginia pines.  

Maryland line complete with a map of the trail going both directions and picnic tables. 

At the Mason Dixon Line! 

From Hanover Junction it's 11 miles to the Mason Dixon Line and 11 miles back to the truck!

Bird sightings:

Bald Eagle, Turkey Vultures, Black Vultures, Red-tailed Hawk, Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Cardinals, Great Blue Heron, Carolina Wren, Dark-eyed Juncos, Eastern Bluebirds, and Bluejays.