First snow

November 17.

Saw Goodwin this afternoon returning from the river with two minks, one trapped, the other shot, and half a dozen muskrats. Mink seem to be more commonly seen now, and the rising of the river begins to drive out the muskrats.

Just after dark the first snow is falling, after a chilly afternoon with cold gray clouds, when my hands were uncomfortably cold.

H. D. Thoreau, Journal, November 17, 1855

Mink seem to be more commonly seen now . . . See November 13, 1855 ("Going over Swamp Bridge Brook at 3 P. M., I saw in the pond by the roadside, a few rods before me, the sun shining bright, a mink swimming . . . “); December 2, 1852 ("Above the bridge . . .we see a mink, slender, black, very like a weasel in form.

He alternately runs along on the ice and swims in the water, now and then holding up his head and long neck looking at us.")



The first snow is falling, after a chilly afternoon with cold gray clouds . . . See November 21, 1852 ("There is something genial even in the first snow, and Nature seems to relent a little of her November harshness.") See also note to November 29, 1856 ("This the first snow.")