I was talking to someone in town last week about snowshoeing and skiing and looking for wildlife. I used to cross country ski more than snowshoe but the last couple of years that has changed. Reasons for the change vary but include distances I’m covering now, snowpack, and maneuverability. If I’m going longer distances then I’ll still go on skis as it’s faster. But that’s just it, I prefer to go slow and stay ever watchful for movement. Last week while snowshoeing through a stand of lodgepole pine, I heard a noise in the trees. I looked up to spot a marten watching me. The light wasn’t great so I didn’t take any photos but the experience was great so I wanted to share it here and include this image from a couple of winters ago. Being a member of the weasel family, martens can be fierce. I encountered one on a trail while hiking in Grand Teton National Park many years ago. We both paused and just stared at each other for a few moments. I swear he was wondering if he could take me!