January-February 2022 • Nebraskaland 27
into glittering wonderlands. Hoarfrost, advection frost and
rime are all formed in diff erent ways, but create similarly
spectacular results. Sometimes, magical foggy mornings turn
everything in sight white with frost, but even patchy frost
in low-lying areas or around ponds or other water sources is
worth venturing out to admire.
Snow, especially combined with wind, also can create
magnifi cent displays. Snow drifts make for sore shoulders
and backs when they block your garage door or sidewalk, but
they sure are pretty out in the wild. In addition to providing
a canvas for animal tracks, grass leaves, branches or other
structures also can trace fascinating patterns in fresh snow
when guided by a strong breeze.
Hiking isn't a three-season activity. Winter may not
provide wildfl owers, bird song, butterfl ies or even the red and
gold leaves of autumn, but there is still plenty out there to
make it worth lacing up your boots. There's a good chance
you'll spot some wildlife, and even if you don't, signs of life
will be there if you look hard enough. Any day is a good day
for a winter hike, but a frosty morning or fresh snow should
stimulate you to drop anything you can and head out the
door. Spring will come eventually, but in the meantime, enjoy
these fruits of winter.
N
Chris Helzer is the Nature Conservancy's director of science in
Nebraska and a regular contributor to Nebraskaland Magazine.
Cattail seeds on ice.
Grass leaves and circles.
Frost on stems on wetland.
