Savannah Sparrow.
Three things made this a notable day: 1) first thing this morning, my dog and I surprised a couple of garter snakes in the front yard; 2) I finished a new font; 3) on my hike with Jack today, I saw a monarch butterfly.
Hermit Thrush.
The snakes were big ’uns, and in a hurry. The font is called Bonnycastle, in case you’re curious. The hike happened under absolutely cloudless skies. And by “cloudless,” I mean cloudless—not a single cloud in any direction, clear out to the horizon. The day was warm, calm, hazy. In fact, I hear this summer has been the planet’s warmest since humans have been keeping records.
Despite the heat, dog and I encountered quite a few young birds out carousing: a young Hermit Thrush, a young robin, young jays, sparrows, waxwings. Also heard (then saw) a Pileated Woodpecker. And a pair of Yellow-rumped Warblers flying away from the spruce grove on the summit of Beech Hill.
Spotted the monarch at the summit, as well. Typically, from that summit, when I think the sky is cloudless, I see thin cloud strips out over the bay. Not so today. Absolute cloudlessness.
Well, except for all the Clouded Sulphurs.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:15 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Pileated Woodpecker
2. Blue Jay**
3. Tufted Titmouse
4. American Robin
5. Hermit Thrush
6. Gray Catbird
7. Black-capped Chickadee**
8. Song Sparrow (v)
9. Savannah Sparrow
10. Cedar Waxwing
11. Yellow-rumped Warbler
12. American Crow* (v)
13. Northern Flicker (v)
14. American Goldfinch (v)
Elsewhere
15. Red-eyed Vireo (v)
16. Downy Woodpecker (v)
17. House Sparrow (v)
18. Herring Gull
19. Mourning Dove
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Monarch Butterfly.
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, American robin, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, Cedar waxwing, downy woodpecker, gray catbird, hermit thrush, herring gull, house sparrow, mourning dove, northern flicker, pileated woodpecker, red-eyed vireo, savannah sparrow, song sparrow, tufted titmouse, yellow-rumped warbler
