Winter hillside.
Despite another frigid overnight, this morning had a different feel to it. Perhaps that had to do with the first bird on my list today: a house finch, singing its turbulent love song from a perch not far away. Or the scream of the blue jay soon after. Or the mourning dove that fluttered up into the big bare oak to the south along the road. Or simply the earlier appearance of the sun.
The open trail.
I looked up from my desk from time to time at the dark shapes of flying crows. Heard their persistent caws. Stuffed some envelopes.
Finally, in waning afternoon, dog and I set out for town. Herring gulls and rock pigeons atop the old Van Baalen’s building, as usual. Then, as we drove up North Main street on the way to our hiking hill, I noticed a large black bird flapping low above us, headed our way. At first I thought it a crow, but it looked larger, and I dipped my head to get a better look out the windshield. It had a small head and large wings with a distinctive pale underwings—a turkey vulture. A nice surprise. Unquestionably the earliest in any year I’ve seen a TV around here.
Still clear and bright as we pulled into the empty Beech Hill parking lot. Temperatures just below freezing, I’d guess. Calm enough on the lower trail—but the wind picked up as we reached the open fields. I hadn’t brought gloves, but it didn’t matter. The packed trail, while still firm, had developed plenty of slick spots. Jack slipped and slid a bit on the ice, and I had to watch my footing.
View of the hills from Beech Nut.
What clouds there were seemed high and patterned and deeply colored. Spotted a solitary herring gull whirling about out toward the bay.
Uneventful otherwise. But delicous, as always.
Tonight remains pleasant, with a bright moon soaring over slowly. I hear tell that tomorrow will be “unseasonably warm.”
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:15 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Herring gull
Elsewhere
2. House finch
3. Blue jay
4. American crow
5. Mourning dove
6. Rock pigeon
7. Turkey vulture
Jack on the trail.
Tags: American crow, blue jay, herring gull, house finch, mourning dove, rock pigeon, turkey vulture
