American Robin bathing.
Today was white and windy and sunny and cold. Cold for spring, at least—20s (F) for most of the day, about freezing just now, tonight. Got a bunch of desk work done, then took a break when I noticed a bunch of robins flitting around in the back yard. Maybe a dozen robins, checking sun-warmed leaf litter for food, bathing in the brook, eyeing me from a perch in the bare hardwood trees.
Tufted Titmouse.
Also a couple titmice out there. And a male House Finch teed up for a photo—which I missed. I took this as a sign that Jack and I should go ahead and take our daily hike.
On the way, driving through downtown Camden, I looked up to see an adult Bald Eagle soaring nonchalantly along, never mind the little crows harassing it. I even made a quick turn and circled around the block, thinking I might be able to take a photo—but it was gone.
Dog and I were the only ones at Beech Hill until we got all the way back down toward the parking lot, when another group of hikers showed up. Windy as heck, but not too awful cold. Three odd species there. No chickadee or crow.
An achingly black and starry sky out there just. I’m still not used to the peculiar (to me) situation of this Camden place, directionally—still surprised to see Orion and bright Sirius out front.
Turkey Vulture.
I’m happy to see ’em, though, those old friends.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 2:30 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. House Finch** (v)
2. Herring Gull*
3. Turkey Vulture*
Elsewhere
4. Blue Jay (v)
5. American Crow
6. American Goldfinch (v)
7. Tufted Titmouse
8. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
9. American Robin
10. White-breasted Nuthatch
11. Bald Eagle
12. Rock Pigeon
13. House Sparrow
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, American robin, bald eagle, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, herring gull, house finch, house sparrow, rock pigeon, tufted titmouse, turkey vulture, white-breasted nuthatch
