From the summit.
Stayed up late, slept late. By the time I looked out the window the morning sky held a hazy sun, and the landscape spread wet and thawy. I soon heard a wild cacophony of crows—sure sign of a hawk hanging around. I wonder if it was yesterday’s young red-tail.
Took Jack out. House sparrows called from across the road and chickadees from the trees up the hill out back. Much of Monday’s snowfall has melted by now—only the greater drifts hold any depth or density.
Birch.
Both a Saturday and New Year’s Day. I decided to goof off and watched several old “Twilight Zone” episodes during the annual marathon on Syfy. It’s always bittersweet to see the early work of TV actors circa 1960 who went on to long, celebrated careers and have (many of them) since died. I remember watching the show as a kid. Freaky music, thought-provoking themes. Fun.
As the day progressed I thought about changing my tune and taking Jack to the breakwater today—but by late-afternoon, I decided a New Year’s hike up Beech Hill was warranted. Met no one in the parking lot, though there was clear evidence of a lot of passersby this day. In fact, headed up, I thought I spotted a piece of a plastic champaign flute in the snow (though I couldn’t find it again on descending). It occurred to me that likely some folks hiked up very early today to see the first sunrise of the year.
Didn’t wear snowshoes. And it was the right decision: despite the slushiness, hiking boots made for just the right footing.
The sun seemed distant going down beyond a cloak of clouds. Heard a hairy woodpecker on the way up. Heard a flicker at the summit. Two woodpeckers. (There was a guy up there with a camera on a tripod—not sure where he came from.) Returning, Jack and I met a familiar dog and owner and had a little New Year’s reunion. The sun burned orange beyond the clouds.
Then, nearing the road, I heard the voice of a brown creeper in the little wood there. I looked until I saw the bird circling the trunks of trees. Too dim for a photo, alas.
Sundown.
Gulls out in Clam Cove. And an early nightfall. And a gentle overcast tonight. Still soothingly warm.
Maybe tomorrow we’ll head to the breakwater.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 3:30 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Hairy woodpecker (voice)
2. Northern flicker (voice)
3. Brown creeper
Elsewhere
4. American crow
5. House sparrow
6. Black-capped chickadee
7. Herring gull
Tags: American crow, black-capped chickadee, brown creeper, hairy woodpecker, herring gull, house sparrow, northern flicker
