February's deep snows have settled over Hilltop Castle like a thick quilt, transforming the estate into something from a winter fairy tale. While restoration work has slowed with the cold, the castle hasn't been without its visitors.

Wildlife in Winter

The snowstorm that swept through a few weeks back left drifts nearly three feet deep across the grounds, but our four-legged neighbors seem undeterred by winter's arrival. A doe appeared one morning, browsing carefully through the estate, her delicate steps breaking through the snow as she moved between the oak trees near the east terrace. There's something particularly graceful about deer in deep snow—each step deliberate, each pause thoughtful.

The game camera has been particularly active this week, capturing a remarkable parade of New England wildlife. A fisher cat made its midnight rounds—those elusive creatures that most people hear about but rarely see. A turkey strutted past in broad daylight, looking rather dignified despite the snow. And a coyote trotted through one evening, probably following the same deer trails that wind through our woods.

The Quiet Season

February is traditionally the restoration world's thinking season. While crews take a break from the more intensive work, it's a time for planning spring projects and watching how the building settles into winter. The castle seems to breathe differently in the cold—stone contracts, timber settles, and the whole structure finds its winter rhythm.

These quiet months also remind us that Hilltop Castle isn't just a building project—it's part of a larger ecosystem. The estate has been home to generations of wildlife, and watching them navigate the grounds connects us to the longer story of this place.

What's Ahead

As we move toward March, we're already thinking about spring's return—both the awakening of the grounds and the resumption of more active restoration work. The wildlife will have new company soon enough.

-- The Keepers of Hilltop Castle