Looking Up.
“Rabbit, rabbit.” That’s the first thing I said today, while still lying in bed. Truth be told, I kept waking up and repeating that superstitious phrase in my head within an hour or two of actual rising time. Just how I roll, I guess.
American crow.
Chilly, a little breezy, partly sunny—a fairly comfortable for a winter day at the 44th parallel. Out back first thing were many little yard birds, chipping and calling and making trips to the neighbors feeders. I worked on my font a while, then decided to hike a little early in honor of the New Year. And to hike all Beech Hill trails.
We started at the Rockville Street lot. A good hike. Good hike. Brisk. Good light. Not many birds, but, hey—it’s winter.
Not that many people at the summit when we got there, but we did meet a couple of nice folks and chatted with them a while. (Well, I did—Jack just was content just to get scritched a bit.) Did the whole circuit, then headed back down the lower wooded trail. The true second-growth woods, with the longish winter views. Heard a flick. And caught sight of a couple of distant deer against the snow. Dog and I stood still (not sure he noticed ’em, although he might have smelled them) and I watched the deer with my binoculars until they walked out of sight. About a hundred fifty yards away I’d guess.
Mama maple.
Got back and did some more desk work as the sun went down and the day turned midnight blue outside—and I heard the call of a cardinal. Peered out the window, not expecting to see much in the dimness, but I was surprised to see the bird flit up onto a branch directly below. A brilliant red male, but just a dark shape against the deep blue. I watched as it turned one way, then the other way, then back, then forth, four, five, six times before flitting away.
It’s the little things that add up to a good, big day.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 1:15 p.m., I hiked all trails.
1. Black-capped Chickadee
2. American Crow
3. Herring Gull
4. Northern Flicker
Elsewhere
5. White-breasted Nuthatch
6. Tufted Titmouse
7. American Goldfinch
8. Mourning Dove
9. Red-bellied Woodpecker
10. Blue Jay
11. Northern Cardinal
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, herring gull, mourning dove, northern cardinal, northern flicker, red-bellied woodpecker, tufted titmouse, white-breasted nuthatch
