I returned to Red Rocks Beach after not being there since December 8th. The way the section of the bay had changed so much since I last visited was stunning. The part of the Shelburne Bay that Red Rocks is on was completely frozen and snow-covered. The ice was thick and smooth, with a dusting of snow overtop. I am curious as to why the snow stayed on top of the ice, but not on the beach itself? My theory is that the beach temperature warmed up during the days faster than the ice and caused the snow to melt faster. The large oak tree taking up the corner between the forest and the beach was resiliently holding onto its last dried and curled leaves.

There was some wildlife activity at this specific site. There were dog tracks in the thin layer of snow, accompanied with a human’s shoe print. A ways into the lake, on a patch of unfrozen water, geese congregated together. I also observed some half-eaten acrons, signaling to me that squirrels were at this site, and also a couple feathers without a clear origin.