Clouds.

This lovely morning my dog and I took a hike up Beech Hill. Warm, fair, mild, still, colorful, sunny, pleasant, even fragrant. And a bit unsettling. Because, after all, it’s the end of December.

American Goldfinches.

Not that I’m complaining. In a way I suppose I’m a contrarian: I see the imperfections in a perfect-seeming thing, and I see the beauty in discomfort. Maybe that’s a sign of having lived on the planet a while, I don’t know.

I did see some happy goldfinches and heard the note of a White-throated Sparrow.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 10:30 a.m., I hiked the open trail.

1. Black-capped Chickadee**
2. American Goldfinch
3. White-throated Sparrow (v)
4. Downy Woodpecker
5. American Robin (v)
6. American Crow*
7. Herring Gull*

Elsewhere

8. Rock Pigeon
9. Common Goldeneye
10. American Coot
11. Canada Goose

v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere