I went back to the nature trail in the Derby natural area today. It was 24 degrees out and the sky was complete cloud cover, but it was thin and allowed for the sun to shine through. There was also a light snow as I got to the head of the trail. I decided to drive to the trail today since it was so cold out. I got to the entrance to discover a light snow cover from the previous night.
I missed the green of the trail from the first time I visited it. However, the bare trees allowed me to see much more than the previous time I visited.
I was able to see houses on the edge of the trees, and I discovered that the sewage plant stretches all the way to the river. I also spotted this small pond along the trail to the river.
I then made my way to the location of my sit spot from my previous post.The lack of vegetation made it much easier for me to see down the length of the shoreline. I was able to hear lots of crows and dogs barking ing the distance. The water of the Winooski River was still steadily flowing, however it seemed slower than the past times I visited. There was also ice along the shoreline.
I spotted an old barrel along the trail that I had not noticed last time I was there. I assume that it was discarded from the nearby plant.
I walked further down the trail then I had the past few visits. I found a mass of trees fallen and hanging over the water, I was surprised that I had not noticed it before.
Even this far down the trail I still kept seeing signs about hunting and trapping. I have always been surprised by the amount that they post on the trail. On my way to the trail I was excited in the anticipation that I would find a lot of tracks because it had snowed the night before. However, the snow cover was so light and there were so many leaves bordering the trail, that I was unable to find any. I noticed that there weren’t even shoe prints in the snow, so I was the first one on the trail all day. I loved the thought that I had the trail all to myself, and I was the first one seeing it today. Still looking for tracks I made my way back to the entrance. When I got there I noticed the the gate to the sewage plant was open. I was so interested so I decided to take a look around. I only walked the main road but I was interesting to see it. It smelled horrible thought.
If you look closely at this last picture you can see seagulls swimming in the water!!