Botanical.

I learned something new today—something you’d’ve thought I’d know by now, considering my interest in nature and time and the spheres. Turns out that the earliest sunset of the year hereabouts does not occur at the winter solstice—it occurs, well, right about now. (Actually, I think, this coming weekend.) It’s because the spinning of the earth when compared to the movement of the varies a little day to day, and the photoperiod will actually begin lagging a little. So sunrise will continue getting later and later, while sunset will begin edging forward a tiny bit.

Birch

Hard to explain, but kind of cool.

Anyway, the seasonal darkness combined with a thick overcast today made for a dark, lonesome hike up Beech Hill with dog this afternoon. I saw a single small shadowy bird flit across the dim trail. It made a slight sound like a tree sparrow, but I damn well couldn’t tell you for sure.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 3:15 p.m., I hiked the open trail.

1. Unknown passerine

Elsewhere

2. American crow
3. Tufted titmouse (v)
4. Herring gull

v = Voice only