The trail, Beech Hill, Rockport, Maine, 20 February 2011.
Just another bright and rather windy day. Crows cawed. House finches called from across the road. I even saw one flitting from tree to tree over there. A few, high, benign clouds. Chilly still—maybe upper-20s (F).
Icy patches on the lawn. The slushy snow of a few days ago has crusted over and gone slick.
Icy field.
I did some work again on a Sunday but drug myself away as the sun headed down. Grabbed Jack, and we made our way to Beech Hill.
A single vehicle in the parking lot. Treacherous ice covering the trail. Coming through the first little grove, I couldn’t help but notice lots of twigs and small branches down, victims of last nights big wind. I couldn’t help also but notice a few pieces of trash left by people who came before—orange peels, the paper wrapper of a Whopper from Burger King. And Jack couldn’t help but notice a large pile of dog poop in the middle of the trail. Sometimes I wonder.
But the color of the sky was an aching, pure blue-blue. And I managed to step carefully enough to keep from a slip and a fall. Our ascent took some time, though—more time than usual.
Met a little family (and young leashed dog) coming down. Two of the four wore snowshoes.
The sun blazed. The wind picked up the higher we got, but relatively feeble when compared with yesterday’s. I pulled on my hood as we came around the final curve before the summit. Just then I heard a few cries of a flicker—the only bird up there today.
Hillside.
The wind seemed to be dying softly with the day. As we began our descent we met two pairs of young people—two girls, two boys—and offered greetings. I commented to one pair that neither Jack or I had slipped and fallen yet. Just after that, I began to wonder if I’d jinxed myself, and sure enough, as we neared the base of the hill, my left foot lost traction, and I went down on one knee. But no harm done.
Another vehicle was pulling up as we arrived back at the parking lot. A young couple with a (leashed) dog. I warned them of ice on the trail.
By tonight the wind has lessened considerably. I’d call it nearly calm. Bright stars flickering amid the bare branches of the oaks out back. Just another lovely winter evening.
Later tonight: a family of coyotes yipping up the hill just now. (The songdogs make Jack’s hackles rise.)
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Northern flicker
Elsewhere
2. American crow
3. House finch
4. Black-capped chickadee
5. Herring gull
Tags: American crow, black-capped chickadee, herring gull, house finch
