4 November 2024

Archive for November, 2012

Twenties

Friday, November 30th, 2012
Birch, Beech Hill, Rockport, Maine, 30 November 2012.

Birch.

“Hello,” said the morning air when I took dog out first thing. “Cold enough for you?”

And it was a tad bit nippy. Sunny, though, and not windy. So I only had that dry, crackly feeling that you get outside when all the air and trees and surfaces are colder than freezing, and the ground is rock hard. Jack didn’t seem to mind, though. He’s got a good thick built-in coat.

Got interviewed by a nice new young friend this morning for a feature piece in the local paper. Felt kind of funny, in that I used to write feature pieces for that same paper—well, a sister paper—a quarter-century ago. She took my photo, too, just the way I used to do of my feature subjects. I guess we’ll see if she somehow manages to boil down my typical disjointed discursiveness.

Toward the end of the day Jack and I went out and took care of some errands and, lo, ended up at Beech Hill. Saw a mourning dove on a wire. Saw chickadees. Heard a little bird in overflight that I don’t dare even try to ID from its tiny note. Saw the coots out in the pond.

And took a photo of a birch tree. I like to think of it as my birch tree—but of course it’s not. More like I’m it’s human.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 3:15 p.m., I hiked the open trail.

1. Mourning dove
2. Black-capped chickadee
3. American coot

Elsewhere

4. American crow
5. Herring gull
6. Rock pigeon

Busy day

Thursday, November 29th, 2012
White-breasted nuthatch, Beech Hill, Rockport, Maine, 29 November 2012.

White-breasted nuthatch.

Today was sunny, calm, nippy—really a beautiful day. I did all kinds of stuff. Was down in the cellar, out in the parking lot, vacuuming while printing out photos downstairs, writing in the kitchen upstairs, updating websites, chatting with pals online, plotting out the future, hiking Beech Hill. Didn’t ride my bike, though.

Sundown from Beech Hill, Rockport, Maine, 29 November 2012.

Sundown.

On the hill, late in the day, Jack and I met another friendly dude with a friendly dog. We also met four of the more common species down at the parking lot but none higher up. Got a good look at the lovely surroundings, though, as always. Got a glimpse of a sweet ol’ sundown.

Saw coots in the lake on our way to town for a few late errands. Man, I got a lot done today. Felt good.

Then, tonight, it snowed a little. Wonder what tomorrow will bring?

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

1. Tufted titmouse
2. Black-capped chickadee**
3. White-breasted nuthatch
4. Brown creeper (v)

Elsewhere

5. American crow
6. Herring gull
7. American coot

v = Voice only
**Voice only elsewhere

Flurries

Wednesday, November 28th, 2012
Headlights from Beech Hill, Rockport, Maine, 28 November 2012.

Headlights.

Snow flurries today. Very brief and fleeting flashes of hazy sun, but mostly just loose clouds of flakes floating slowly down. Heard Canada geese flying over when I first woke up—a nice awakening.

Had another productive work day, and finally scrambled out with dog to do a few errands before our daily hike. We took Route 17 to Beech Hill so I could check on the coots. And there they were—nowhere near the gigantic raft we had a year ago, but still.

Met Joe on the trail again, with flurries still coming down, though now blown by a moderate westerly wind.

Tonight, the sky is clear and the moon is bright on the skim of new white snow.

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

1. Mourning dove
2. Black-capped chickadee

Elsewhere

3. Canada goose (v)
4. American crow
5. Herring gull
6. American coot

v = Voice only

 
Bird Report is a (sometimes intermittent) record of the birds I encounter while hiking, see while driving, or spy outside my window. —Brian Willson



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