Photo by Steve Mitchell
The quiet season Nature adapts in the Methow winters BY S A N D R A S T R I E BY
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s the moon rises high in the winter sky and snow transforms the Methow Valley’s landscape, plants and animals use a variety of tactics to survive the cold season and prepare for the intense activity that characterizes the spring of the year.
Last year, winter shocked us all by arriving in full force on Nov. 3 and retaining an unrelenting grip well past the official start of spring. This year, snow made an even earlier appearance, although without
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2022’s depth or severe cold. Both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Old Farmer’s Almanac agree that El Niño will influence 2023-24 winter conditions, but beyond that, the prognosticators part ways. NOAA is calling for above-normal temperatures, with precipitation uncertain to slightly below normal, while the almanac predicts a winter that will be colder and snowier than usual. The Old Farmer’s Almanac also suggests it will be mid-November before the valley sees significant snowfall. For the natural world, a longer fall means more time to prepare for a season that places heavy demands on both plants and animals. Each species gets ready in its own way — storing food, making winter
nests, moving to more conducive environments. Here are just a few of the ways in which non-human residents handle the season.
■ DEER TAKE WINTER IN STRIDE Deeply embedded in the Methow experience, deer are year-round residents who migrate within the watershed to take advantage of changing conditions. Their long, slender legs are also powerful, helping the animals navigate through deep snow, and their mobile feet provide traction. Deer belong to an order known as even-toed ungulates. Each hoof is composed of two toes clad in keratin — the same material as human fingernails. The toes can spread when they need to,
improving balance and grip in slippery conditions. Deer also have dew claws that can act as snow brakes when extra skid-resistance is needed. As they use their feet in different ways, deer’s tracks will vary. Observing the tracks is one way of learning about the animals’ winter behavior and survival mechanisms. Tracks may be hard to see in deep snow or on hard surfaces, but a fresh skiff of snow can reveal how deer are maneuvering on steep or icy surfaces. Bucks shed their antlers during the winter, generally in response to shorter day length. The bony appendages are not needed after the breeding season, when they’re used to establish dominance, and they can be a liability in cold weather.
Methow Valley News