Beech Nut.
Sunlight streamed at a bright angle through the blinds a little earlier this morning. I thought how its color seemed a very light yellow, the sunlight—nearly white. I suppose part of that had to do with the fluffy inch of snow that fell overnight. On first walking out in it with Jack, I couldn’t help but notice the wild pattern of tiny rodent trails zig-zagging across the parking lot. Some little critter had a lot of stuff to do.
Rodent tracks.
Crows flapped about here at Clam Cove. Spotted one with what looked like a hunk of bread in its bill. Heard a chickadee out back singing its spring fee-bee! (I suppose the bright, increasing daylight has something to do with that.) I also heard a couple house sparrows chirping across the road.
Somewhat of a frantic day of paperwork—not a fan—but I got what needed doing done. And then dog and I headed up to the hill.
Pretty nippy today. Saw a solitary snowshoer walking up not far ahead of us. Listened for chickadees and such. Heard none.
By then the sun that rose so brightly was on its way down like fire. The trail, so slushy yesterday, had hardened nicely in the cold. Our afternoon shadows spread long and blue against the rich orange backlight.
Shadows.
Overhead, from the summit, the sky was a darkening blue. Off to the southwest, though, the sun had started down behind a wide swath of clouds. (At this particular time of year, I’ve noticed, sunset happens very near the solitary wind generator perched atop the Rockville Ridge.) Listened for a flicker, or maybe a crow. Heard none. Not a lot of wind—mostly very cold and still.
On the way back down we chatted a bit with the snowshoer about birds on the hill. She’d also seen barred owls in the area—quite a few sightings this winter. Then nearing the parking lot we ran into my friend Sarah and Elmo. Jack and old Elmo know each other by now. Happy to see Elmo looking chipper despite his advancing age.
Cloud.
Returning I spotted, out over Clam Cove, a few herring gulls flapping away to wherever they go come evening. Tonight, the full moon rose stunningly above the bay.
A sudden change in the weather forecast calls for a snowstorm tomorrow. If it comes to pass, it won’t stop Jack and me from our ritual hike up the hill.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 3:45 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
No birds seen or heard on the hill today.
Elsewhere
1. American crow
2. Black-capped chickadee
3. House sparrow
4. Herring gull
Sundown.
Tags: American crow, black-capped chickadee, herring gull, house sparrow
