Daisy.
Today was a dark day. And I mean that literally—not figuratively. Figuratively, in fact, things brightened considerably, but with the persistent, heavy overcast, it seemed like evening all day. And by early evening, by the time Jack and I wound up at Beech Hill, it might as well have been late evening, light-wise.
But we had no rain. But within a minute or two, a distant clap of thunder echoed from beyond the hill. Birds sang here and there, but I didn’t see many. In fact, except for a glimpse of a catbird, I saw only towhees along the trail. No matter. I couldn’t have gotten any presentable bird photos, what with the darkness in the woods.
At the summit, the sky spread gray and colorless, with a vague fog hanging around. A savannah sparrow sang, and a song sparrow.
Mid-season flowers have begun to bloom, though. The blackberry crop will be fruitful, judging by the galaxies of blackberry blossoms. I looked for hummingbirds among all the blooming things but found none.
I did hear thrushes, and a pewee. Didn’t get a look at them, though.
No matter. A little spooky gloom—with thunder in the periphery—made for a sort of exciting walk in the woods. I half expected a bear to emerge or something.
It did begin to rain finally. Just sprinkles as we returned to the pickup, but heavier rain later. And louder thunder. It occurs to me that yesterday was the only day this week when we didn’t get rained on during our hike.
No matter. The sun will come out again soon. Maybe even tomorrow.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:45 p.m., I hiked the wooded trails.
1. Cedar waxwing (v)
2. Red-eyed vireo* (v)
3. Rose-breasted grosbeak (v)
4. Chestnut-sided warbler (v)
5. American redstart* (v)
6. Eastern towhee
7. Gray catbird
8. Black-capped chickadee* (v)
9. Common yellowthroat* (v)
10. Veery (v)
11. Yellow warbler (v)
12. American crow* (v)
13. Song sparrow (v)
14. Black-and-white warbler (v)
15. Alder flycatcher (v)
15. Savannah sparrow (v)
16. American goldfinch (v)
17. Ovenbird (v)
18. Hermit thrush (v)
19. Eastern wood-pewee (v)
20. Downy woodpecker (drumming)
Elsewhere
21. House finch (v)
22. House sparrow
23. Eastern phoebe (v)
24. Common grackle
25. Great blue heron
26. Northern cardinal (v)
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
Tags: alder flycatcher, American crow, American goldfinch, American redstart, black-and-white warbler, black-capped chickadee, Cedar waxwing, chestnut-sided warbler, common grackle, common yellowthroat, downy woodpecker, eastern towhee, eastern wood-pewee, gray catbird, great blue heron, hermit thrush, house finch, house sparrow, northern cardinal, ovenbird, red-eyed vireo, rose-breasted grosbeak, savannah sparrow, song sparrow, veery, yellow warbler
