Day moon.
Three straight days of creeping thaw—and this one got up into the low-40s (F). You can almost feel the birds busting with nervous excitement. Just missed getting a nice photo of a Pileated Woodpecker today, I feel sure, even though I didn’t actually see the bird: I heard its loud call in a tree right out back, hurried to get my camera, began to creep out the back door, which of course is right when it took flight. I saw only its swiftly vanishing shadow.
I had a thought this evening. I had a thought that birds are the true fairies. Or pixies, whatever. Near-supernatural creatures. You can see it in the intelligent eyes of the tiny, tidy chickadee, with its neat, feathery outfit. Trim, almost formal. I just know there’s got to be something magical in there.
Saw an eagle today. And an incoming Turkey Vulture.
Ah, the excruciatingly delicious tease of early spring on the 44th parallel.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:30 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Tufted Titmouse
2. Black-capped Chickadee
3. White-breasted Nuthatch
4. American Crow
5. American Robin
6. Bald Eagle
7. Herring Gull
8. Turkey Vulture
9. Northern Flicker
Elsewhere
10. House Finch
11. Northern Cardinal
12. Pileated Woodpecker (v) (s)
13. Mallard
14. Mourning Dove
15. Rock Pigeon
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
s = Shadow
Tags: American crow, American robin, bald eagle, black-capped chickadee, herring gull, house finch, mallard, mourning dove, northern cardinal, northern flicker, pileated woodpecker, rock pigeon, tufted titmouse, turkey vulture, white-breasted nuthatch
