Weeds.

Snowed overnight. Maybe four inches. But the sun came out early, and—despite sub-freezing temperatures—the melting began. I heard a goldfinch out there while shoveling snow.

Synchronized hiking.

My Beech Hill hike with two dogs was fun, if somewhat slippery, with all that fluffy snow overspreading the ice of recent days. Saw a flicker down the eastern slope. Fresh air, good exercise. I wonder if I’ll ever get to don my snowshoes this winter. Sure haven’t needed them so far.

Tonight I watched Venus set behind the oaks out back. And listened to ice falling from the oaks themselves.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 3:30 p.m., I hiked the open trail.

1. Northern flicker

Elsewhere

2. American goldfinch
3. American crow
4. Herring gull
5. Mallard