Trees adorned by nests and mushrooms

Reading A Guide to Nature in Winter has caused me to be more aware of nests and mushrooms on trees.  I saw mushrooms once, and nests several times.  It is hard to get a closer look, what with the trees being so much taller than I am.  Also, the snow was deep and I had no snowshoes, so it was hard to walk anywhere other than the path, which was packed enough that I could stay on top of the snow.  Thus I did not walk closer to trees that were not immediately adjacent to the path.  I do have binoculars, but I haven't really gotten the knack of finding the thing I'm looking for when I look through them.

Reading A Guide to Nature in Winter also enhanced my awareness of the snow.  There is a section on snow crystals, and a section on animal tracks.  I saw tracks that suggested two deer may have crossed the path.  I also saw some interesting patterns in the snow: