January in Woodstock is a very dynamic time, the year has turned and the season has changed. 2025 is no different. Early winter was relatively mild and snowless, but the later half has been anything but. Arctic cold has come down to remind us of winter, accompanied by the first snows of the season. Most wild fauna and flora is dormant now. Bird-wise, things are quiet as the indomitable small birds — black-capped chickadees, blue jays, northern cardinals, various sparrows, wrens and the like continue to hunt through the desiccated beebalm and mugwort in our wintry fields and meadows. Also, our largest birds — bald eagles — are either hunting in open water on the Hudson or taking advantage of road-kill as they start their yearly nesting cycle. The white-tail deer are nearly invisible in their winter coats as — like the wild turkeys — they try to dodge the night-time probing of eastern coyotes. The black bears are successfully napping now and insects are folded under bark and leaf. Even my favorite dawn redwood in Bearsville has shed its reddish brown leaves and is hunkering down.
Solstice mid-winter’s day — We are just past one of the most ancient of holy days — the winter solstice — and the days will start getting longer now (no, really). Okay, so it will only be a few minutes a day to start with, but by February the longer daylight will be noticeable. With all of our modern conveniences — modern heating and lighting, as well as shipping fresh food from afar — we forget how much we all depend on — physically and mentally — the presence of natural sunlight. Our ancient ancestors — whether agrarian or hunter/gatherer — were well aware of their total dependence on the sun for their sustenance. By necessity they were excellent skywatchers (which helps explain why so many indigenous ceremonial stone landscapes (CSLs) all over the northeast, North America and our world, in general, have astronomical significance), observing all of the heavenly bodies to learn about the seasons and when they could look forward to planting their vital crops (and the beginning of baseball season?). At our latitude this is usually in about 100 days. It was a time for rejoicing and celebration then as it is now. We erroneously (in my opinion) call the winter solstice the first day of winter. I think we should call it mid-winter’s day, like we call the summer solstice mid-summer’s day. Really, it has already been winter for a while before we get to December 21.
Ah, spring! — Sounds so far away right now, but as each day gets longer, we get closer and closer. Now, our goal is to survive and if we can, enjoy winter. Once we get done with shoveling, make our way to the trail-head and can strap on a pair of snowshoes, we get to enjoy the crisp, cold air and sun-glint on snow. If we’re observant, we may find an animal-trail to follow. We may flush a ruffed grouse from somewhere in the mountain laurel (the truth is, I’d rather us not startle any wild creature in this time because they might use up the last of their fat reserve needed for their survival — please don’t let little Buffy chase wildlife). But getting to the viewpoint is worth the effort, just to see the wonderful winter vista of the Catskills spread out before us, all of its secrets bared for those who want to see. What a great place to live! Thank you all. Please have a safe and warm winter. Let’s all try to be more kind to each other. Winter is stressful for everyone, to one degree or the other, so please try to understand.
“Ranger” Dave Holden / 84-594-4863 / woodstocktrails@gmail.com / Dave Holden at Facebook / rangerdaveholden on Instagram / woodstocknytrails.com (for the full-length version of this article please visit my blog at the above website).
Join the family! 
