Gray ghost.
Snow this morning. Half an inch or less—but it still whitened things. Temperature’s much cooler, too—and supposed to stay most in below freezing for the next couple days. Decided to hike early with my dog.
Potential energy.
The snow stopped before we left, but the wind picked up. Our hike today was windy and winter-chilly. But nonetheless there were a few spring birds about—including a lovely male Northern Harrier floating low above the barrens. Again I didn’t manage to get a great photo.
This afternoon, the sky began to clear, and the wind really got strong. Strongest in a while, blowing things around. The power flickered but didn’t go out. One nice distraction was the pair of phoebes poking around out back. I watched one pluck what must’ve been an insect from the surface of the stream.
I am reassured by phoebes.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 9:30 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Black-capped Chickadee**
2. American Crow*
3. Northern Harrier
4. Song Sparrow*
5. House Finch (v)
6. Tufted Titmouse** (v)
7. Brown Creeper (v)
Elsewhere
8. Blue Jay
9. American Goldfinch (v)
10. Dark-eyed Junco
11. American Robin
12. Eastern Phoebe
13. Common Grackle
14. Herring Gull
15. Rock Pigeon
16. House Sparrow
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, American robin, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, brown creeper, common grackle, dark-eyed junco, eastern phoebe, herring gull, house finch, house sparrow, northern harrier, rock pigeon, song sparrow, tufted titmouse
