No Tracks? No Problem...

The snow isn't suitable for tracking anymore, but that doesn't mean you can't exercise your curiosity and observation. Far from it! There are still plenty of small mysteries to explore in the late-winter woods.

It'll be a while before trees leaf out, but you can always re-familiarize yourself with the locals by examining their cast-off leaves from last year.

And how about buds? Some trees and shrubs have quite distinct buds...

while others are more challenging to decide on the species...

Various guides to trees and shrubs can help you hone your budding skills, so to speak.

Evergreens are easier to identify in winter, but you can still challenge yourself a little. When you find dropped evergreen twigs, see if you can determine which species they came from, without looking at the surrounding trees to help you figure them out.

Then there's the seeds. Look beyond the obvious acorns and pine cones, and you may find seeds that you've never noticed before.

Lichens - stripped from bark by winter winds - show up well against the snow.

They come in a wide variety of textures and colors, but are tricky to identify.

You may even find traces of a few animals, such as feathers and the remains of old nests that have fallen from trees...

... some caterpillars that didn't quite make it through the winter...

.... and others that may yet hatch out of their cocoons and fly away.

Look closely and carefully, and you'll discover there's plenty to see and explore, whatever the time of year.