Depth of field.
I’d expected a half-foot of snow this morning, but we got only about a half-inch. I suppose all that rain we had before it began to snow last night used up the water that became snow in surrounding areas. Didn’t have to shovel, at least. (Not that I really mind.) Gray day to start, but by the time Jack and I ended up at Beech Hill, the sun had come out and a wind had risen.
Common raven.
I might just note that I haven’t seen the pileated woodpecker at the big dead pine in three days, I guess. Yesterday there were still fresh shavings on the snow at the base of the tree, but there were none on the new snow today. Perhaps it’s found a better tree.
Right away, then, I heard the guttural croak of a raven. More like a loud gurgle. Looked up and saw the resident pair sailing through the antic air, talking among themselves. Lovely. (Got only blurry photos, but I did get to point out the birds to a pair of returning snowshoers.) No other birds to hear or see today. About all I heard was the wind, and about all I saw was snow and sky and distant bay and several hikers and a dog or two. The birch tree still looks broken—perhaps I’ll prune the dead branch somehow.
My hat blew off three times up there. And when Jack had to stop, and I pulled out a poop bag, a second one escaped and within a couple of seconds had fled a hundred yards down the eastern slope.
Oh, well.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 2:30 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Common raven
Elsewhere
2. American crow
3. House finch
4. Herring gull
5. Rock pigeon
6. Ring-billed gull
7. Mourning dove
v = Voice only
Tags: American crow, common raven, herring gull, house finch, mourning dove, ring-billed gull, rock pigeon
