Thursday, February 20, 2014

Grooming

The Trail Groomers were out the other day. We saw the machine on the way to town.

Trail Groomer

They pack down the snow so that the trail is not so bumpy.

Trail Groomer two

When we used to snowmobile years ago half the fun of snowmobiling was the fresh snow and making your own trail and of course getting stuck in the deep snow…we never went farther than we wanted to walk back in those days.  Now there are miles and miles of groomed trails.  Snowmobiling used to bring winter tourists to this area…not so much anymore..a few years of no snow kinda messed that up. 

While we were in town we made a detour down to the river, it is open and Trumpeter Swans, Canada Geese and Mallard Ducks are there.

A Mallard  Duck Grooming

This Mallard Duck is grooming himself.  I like his orange feet, they show up real well against the snow and ice.

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20 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a cute shot of the duck!

Country Gal said...

Oh the Duckies look cold lol ! Yes they still snowmobile all over here as no big snow machines can get into our valley village area so the snowmobile's take to the our small streets and big fields . Thanks for sharing have a good day !

Primitive Stars said...

Morning Connie, brrr that water must be cold, sweet picture of the ducks, Blessings Francine.

linda m said...

Mostly the groomed trails are in our parks. Everywhere else people make their own. Love the duckies!

DJan said...

Do you miss all those snowmobiles? I remember when I visited Yellowstone once, and how much they smelled like gasoline. They would have been fun to ride, though. :-)

Pauline Persing said...

We're seeing a few white-winged scoters and an occasional long-tailed duck on our rivers as well as lesser scaups, mergansers, redheads, ringnecks, buffleheads. Spring is on its way. The ducks say so. Lots of the usuals...mallards and Canada geese. Haven't heard about any tundra swans.

Anonymous said...

Looks cold, those orange webbed feet. I think it's time for some duck muck lucks.

Muffy's Marks said...

I remember the pioneer days of snowmobiling. Sure was different back then. Today the trails are smooth and fast....too fast for me!!! I'll stick to the ATV and mud during the summer months.!!!

Cynthia said...

I would like to send you some snowmobilers! When I am skiing or snowshoeing, suddenly I hear the roar and whine and then they are upon you. I do wish they could be made with quieter engines.
Love those orange duck feet!

Anonymous said...

Snowmobiles are not good for the animals, nature or the environment. Enjoy the peace! Looks lovely.

Beth said...

The duck shot is great!!

Linda Reeder said...

With plowed roads and smooth trails, you are not "snowed in" there like we would be. It's cool that you are free to go exploring.

Ryker said...

We have some groomed trails here, quite the luxury! I do like it, makes for easy walking as I get older.

Nancy said...

Lots of groomed mountain trails in my area. I love snowmobiling, but don't like to get cold; however, it would be fun to ride the Continental Divide Trail

Red said...

Yes, cross country skiing used to be through the bush. Now cross country skiing is on perfectly groomed trails.

Lynda said...

Very interesting about packing the trails. It's the first I have heard of it. I remember years ago - - mid to later sixties, when a few people in our area owned them. One of the girls we "ran with" had one. Her dad let her drive us out in the fields with it. It stalled and would not restart - - - quite a ways from her house. It seems like I walked back to her house and the other two stayed with it. Her dad was not happy at all - - - I think he had to have it towed back home.

Dreaming said...

As much as tourists are a benefit to the economy, I bet it is nice having things a bit quieter. I hated going snowshoeing and hearing the whine of the snowmobiles up in the mountains of Colorado.
Love your ducks. We have seen a lot of water fowl on our trip.

LindaG said...

Ooh. The river is open. When will you be out of snow? ;-)

Jacqi Stevens said...

Like Lynda, I've never heard of packing the trails. Well, I guess the Minnesnowda lifestyle is indeed vastly different than life out here in "sunny" California.

If I didn't know any better, I'd think those were some pretty cold birds hanging out around the water's edge. Yes, speaking artistically, those orange feet make a nice contrast against the ice and blue of the water. I'm not sure that's what those birds were thinking just then...

L. D. said...

I have never heard of a trail groomer before now. We don't really have tails for them to groom anyway. They all go to Wisconsin or up to the north shore to do serious riding. One year one of my former high school students, didn't know Lake Superior was out there when he was with a group up a Grand Marais.