Mallards and crow.

Winter storms have names now. This one’s Nemo.

By the time I awoke, a few inches of snow had already fallen, and the wind was picking up. Puttered around the kitchen until early afternoon—maybe four or five inches by then—when Jack and I set off on a few errands. As I was sweeping off the pickup, I noticed a couple large birds whirling and chasing directly over the road and thought at first they were gulls, but then I saw their white heads and tails: two mature bald eagles in the snow, engaging in some kind of love dance or territorial display. They zipped quickly away before I could grab my camera.

Birch.

It was one of the most thrilling sights I’ve ever seen.

Post office, grocery store (forgot cat food yesterday), and then we swung by Chickawaukie Lake, because I’d found my skates and wanted to get at least a teensy bit of skating in before it was too late. A little clutch of mallards was hunkered down by the frozen shore until a couple in a pickup stopped and tossed a few potato chips nearby, when they waddled on over for a nibble. A crow showed up, too, out of nowhere.

We were the first to pull into the Beech Hill parking lot. Chickadees about, and I heard the voice of another crow. Not too stormy up there, though—yet. We both had a nice hike. Then, on the way back, I spotted a pair of cardinals and a bright male bluebird along the road.

Late tonight, the snow has begun to collect and drift, and the wind is out there howling.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 1:15 p.m., I hiked the open trail.

1. Black-capped chickadee (v)
2. American crow* (v)
3. Northern cardinal
4. Eastern bluebird

Elsewhere

5. Bald eagle
6. Herring gull
7. Rock pigeon
8. Mallard
9. Tufted titmouse (v)

v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere