Southwestern clouds.
Still warm and wet today. On-and-off rain this morning, but also a hint of clearing. I saw a couple cyclists go by out front and wondered if I might be taking a ride one day in December.
But it’s due to get cold again tomorrow. Or tonight. Which reminded me that I had to do something about the crazy drainage issue that’s been afflicting the parking lot these days. But that could wait until Jack and I hiked Beech Hill.
The western hills.
Which we did, not long into afternoon. There was one car in the parking lot. There were chickadees calling from somewhere in the middle distance. A lot of mud still coated the trail—but not as much as marshy yesterday. And as we ascended the sun flooded like a miracle across the barren landscape. In fact, the sky had mostly cleared, or perhaps half-cleared. The effect—blue sky overhead, slate-dark clouds hovering above the bay—was like candy for my eyes.
We met a pair of women and a dog descending. A white, deaf, sweet female dog. She and Jack made their acquaintance. Soon after, as we neared the summit, I spotted a bird down the southern slope. It turned out to be a crow.
Then, turning around, I beheld yet another dramatic Beech Hill sky. Beech Hill is famous for dramatic skies. At least it is to me. I can’t tell you how many cumulus, cirrus, and lumpy stratus clouds I’ve felt driven to photograph up there. Today’s wild dark clouds cloaked the energetic sun—temporarily. When it emerged again, it flooded the eastern slope with light, causing the bronzed blueberry barrens to glow and creating a striking contrast with the dark sky out over the bay.
Wild turkeys.
We came quickly down. Heard someone hammering on a nearby roof (I’m guessing) and a couple more chickadees. I paused for a moment to look back up at the beautiful December hill.
Returning along Beech Hill Road, I had to brake for turkeys. About a half-dozen of the big birds crossed right in front of us. Snapped off a few (inferior) photos. Then did errands. Then returned home.
And not long after that, at shortly past 4 p.m., as the light faded from the December sky even earlier than it did yesterday, I grabbed a shovel and diverted the pools of runoff from the hill out back into a channel that I hope will stave off a treacherously icy parking lot come winter.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 1:45 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Black-capped chickadee (voice)
2. American crow
Elsewhere
3. Herring gull
4. Wild turkey
Beech Nut.
Tags: American crow, black-capped chickadee, herring gull, wild turkey
