Beech Nut.
I got flustered today. More on that later.
This morning dawned overcast and cold. By “cold,” I mean right around freezing. Snow was in the forecast, so I kept my eye peeled while working at my desk. My peeled eye caught only the flight of crows. And a pair of chickadees darting about high in the branches of an oak tree overhanging the parking lot. Also heard the persistent house finches and titmouse. And a solitary jay.
No snow for most of the day. Finally, dog and I headed to town. Herring gulls and rock pigeons down there. And then it began to snow.
Birch.
Light snow at first. Tiny flakes. When we soon wound up at Beech Hill, the flakes had grown larger, and a big wind had risen from the southeast. The solitary vehicle in the parking lot had loon plates, so I imagined an environmentally conscious hiker or two.
We met the hikers—three of them—not far from the bottom of the hill. They had two dogs with them, both off-leash. My heart sank, as it usually does when (as volunteer trail steward) I have to remind somebody of the Beech Hill leash rule. We greeted each other, and then the (still) off-leash dogs approached (on-leash) Jack. There was some growling and lunging, and Jack dashed away, nearly yanking free of his collar. That’s when I launched into my spiel, asking, Did you not see the sign at the base of the hill that says all dogs must be leashed, even in winter? (Never mind that it’s the first day of spring. I was flustered.) And I announced how I hate having to do this, to remind people of this rule, especially because it seems I have to do it with every other dog up there. And then I noticed that one of the three held a Coastal Mountains Land Trust leash in her hands. One of the leashes provided for those who don’t have them. And that, combined with Jack’s nervousness, made me blurt out my frustration over people who just ignore the rule, and how that really ticks me off sometimes. The hikers didn’t say a word. And I simply turned and stalked on up the hill.
Landscape.
We made the hike in record time, I bet, Jack and I, snow in our faces and all. I must’ve muttered under my breath the whole way, arguing with myself: why do I bother volunteering for this? It seems to make no difference. People will do what they want to do, and the rest of the world be damned.
But I got over it. And actually began to feel a little embarrassed about my outburst. I could’ve simply remained businesslike, explained the rules calmly (yet again) and asked that they please follow them next time. Rational. Impartial. Distant.
Too bad I’m not that kind of guy, I guess.
In any event, it was a nice, brisk hike. Up and down swiftly. Snow flying. No birds that I heard or saw.
Tonight, it’s still snowing. Two-three inches so far. But I don’t mind. I rather like how the will of winter tries to cling and persist, never mind the feeble odds.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:15 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
No birds seen or heard on the hill today.
Elsewhere
1. American crow
2. Black-capped chickadee
3. Tufted titmouse
4. House finch
5. Blue jay
6. Herring gull
7. Rock pigeon
"Dogs on leash."
Tags: American crow, black-capped chickadee, blue jay, herring gull, house finch, rock pigeon, tufted titmouse
