First Snow Hiking of the Year

All week the weather predictions were calling for a large dumping of snow in my around my area and all week I was anxiously awaiting it.  Then reality hit and in my town, we only got a light dusting.  Thankfully, a short drive up the mountain to one of my favorite places to hike and camp, Laurel Hill State Park, produced some awesome winter hiking.

During the entire hike, snow was falling.  The scenery was beautiful and the trails were mostly empty.  Hiking in these conditions reinforces why I choose quality camera bags such as my Billingham.  Covered in snow, ice and water, the inside stayed perfectly dry and getting in and out of it was a breeze.

With me on this hike was my Nikon Zf with the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8.  I also brought along my 3 M-mount lenses with an adapter, but due to the heavy falling snow, I didn’t really want to swap lenses and risk snow falling where it shouldn’t.

The M10 stayed home to keep it out of the snow and because the Zf has the IBIS which let me leave my tripod in the car.  By the time I was done hiking, the Zf and Tamron lens were covered in snow and slush, so I’m hoping the weather sealing did its job.

The last 3 images were from Kooser State Park, which was on the way home.  I stopped in to take a quick lap around the lake and stayed awhile when I noticed a river otter playing peek-a-boo in the ice.  He would pop up for a few seconds, look around and dive back under the ice and find another hole to pop out of it.  Not a bad way to end a great day of hiking.