Brown Creeper.

Today, this afternoon, while hiking back down Beech Hill with Jack in the cold air, after an odd mist of tiny snowflakes had fallen under clear blue skies, I felt the chill in my face, my numb lips, my numb fingers clutching a green bag of dog poop, and I looked over the rich brown-gray of the winter hardwoods stretching south over the lake to the Gulf of Maine, and distant Monhegan Island, I thought, then said aloud, “I love this day.”

Rock.

I think I’ll say that every day from now on. Or if I don’t, I’ll think it. ’Cause it’s true.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4 p.m., I hiked the open trail.

1. Tufted Titmouse** (v)
2. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
3. Brown Creeper

Elsewhere

4. American Goldfinch
5. Downy Woodpecker
6. American Crow
7. Herring Gull
8. Mallard
9. Rock Pigeon

v = Voice only
**Voice only elsewhere