Yellow-rumped Warbler.
We knew it was going to snow, we just didn’t know how much. Or how wet and heavy it would be. Nor did we think about all the leaves still attached to the branches of maples and other trees. The result: downed limbs, power outages, damaged roofs and decks and fences. I think my roof and deck are OK, though—so far.
Jack at Beech Nut.
It started with just a little wet snow blowing around. By late morning, there was quite a bit of it, and the wind was whipping, so I decided Jack and I should probably get our daily Beech Hill hike over with. That turned out to be quite an adventure.
Very heavy snow, very strong winds. Horizontal snowfall, stinging my face in one direction, blowing my hood up over my head in the other. Damned if we didn’t see a couple bird species out in such weather: a few yellow-rumps and a lone chickadee. Needless to say, perhaps, we were the only ones up there—but as I was driving out of the parking lot, another car came in. The young couple and I grinned at each other.
Stopped off at the grocery store, which was surprisingly busy. Then home—where I noticed a limb had come down behind the trash can. Hm, that made me worry a little about the back of the house. Sure enough, two or three good-sized maple limbs had fallen on the roof and deck back there. The snow on the leaves and branches was so heavy I couldn’t even move the things off and away, and the snow was still blowing into my eyes out there, so I blew it off until tomorrow—or beyond.
Then, this evening, the power went out. That was about an hour ago. Still out. I’m posting this via a personal-hot-spot connection with my phone.
Guess I’ll head to bed a little early tonight for a change.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 11 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Yellow-rumped Warbler
2. Black-capped Chickadee**
Elsewhere
3. Tufted Titmouse
4. American Crow
5. Herring Gull
**Voice only elsewhere
