January 26th, 2012
Bay sky.
A busy ol’ day, but I don’t mind, so long as a day proves fruitful. And this one did—beginning with bright sun and mild (for winter) temperatures, and ending with some cloudiness moving over. At the end of it, as Jack and I climbed Beech Hill, I took a couple pictures of ‘em.
Clouds.
Tonight, there’s some kind of precipitation going on. I can’t tell if it’s sleet or ice or snow—but I think the former. For now. Snow is due tomorrow. Then rain.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:15 p.m. I hiked the open trail.
1. Hairy woodpecker (voice)
2. American robin (voice)
3. Northern flicker (voice)
Elsewhere
4. American crow
5. Herring gull
6. Mourning dove
Tags: American crow, American robin, hairy woodpecker, herring gull, mourning dove, northern flicker
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January 25th, 2012
Sunset.
Not a particularly auspicious day. Sunny for much of it, with temperatures dipping some from yesterday’s unseasonable warmth. Crows out stalking the roadsides. Gulls overhead and house sparrows in the bushes of town. As Jack and I made our way late in the day toward Beech Hill, I saw a little ice-fishing party out on Chickawaukie Lake. Enough ice out there to walk, I guess.
A small flock of robins flew over the trail as we headed up. A nice sunset. An oddly snowless hill.
But what made the whole day magical came as we headed back home at dusk, traveling south on Route 1: an eagle flapping above the road in front of us, headed toward the shore. A handsome adult bald eagle, big and dark in the waning light.
I feel blessed to live among eagles.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4 p.m. I hiked the open trail.
1. American robin
Elsewhere
2. American crow
3. Herring gull
4. House sparrow
5. Bald eagle
Tags: American crow, American robin, herring gull, house sparrow bald eagle
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January 24th, 2012
Jack.
The temperature never got down to freezing last night, and today it rose well into the 40s (F). The recent snowfall has all but vanished, and local lakes are unsafe again. Had I not so much work to do, I’d have ridden my bicycle around for the first time ever in January in Maine.
Oddly, considering the temperature, I had no birds on my Beech Hill list today. Or maybe that’s because dog and I didn’t make it to the hill until past most birds’ bedtimes.
Still balmy out tonight. But every winter’s different, I guess.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
(No birds seen or heard on the hill today.)
Elsewhere
1. American crow
2. Herring gull
3. European starling
4. Mallard
Tags: American crow, European starling, herring gull, mallard
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