Ripening apples.
I’ve lived in places where August was summer’s hot month. Heat would hang in the dusty air under a relentless sun, and humidity would rise. Often, in mid-afternoon, clouds would gather and swift, vociferous thunderstorms would move through in a hurry, cooling things—but not by much. And the next morning the heat would rise again.
Some kind of fly.
But not here at the 44th parallel. Oh, we’ll get a few warm days sometimes. Some years. This year, July brought a little stretch of heat and sweat. But so far August, with its declining photoperiod and occasionally singing cicadas, has proceeded mildly along. Clear days on the coast bring a sea breeze, overcast days shield the landscape from the hot rays of the sun. Today was such an overcast day.
Birds, tending youngsters, remained scarce and secretive, but I did hear the cardinal out there. And goldfinches (always goldfinches) and chickadees. A song sparrow sang from somewhere.
I spent a relatively lazy Sunday going over my novel one last time. (This will take a while, but that’s all right.) Ditched the idea of a bicycle ride. Finally figured it was time for my hike with Jack. So we got ourselves ready, stretched, and set off for Beech Hill.
A few drops of rain fell on the windshield en route, but nothing too ominous. Saw my friends Kristen and Joe at the blueberry hut, where sales have been happening this year. Kristen gave Jack a handful of berries, which he devoured gratefully—or as grateful as a dog can be. I heard goldfinches and the quay! note of a hermit thrush coming from across Beech Hill Road. Then we set up through the first little winding, sheltered stretch of trail.
Impressions of a redstart.
Right away I heard a chickadee in the thicket. We stopped. I scanned the wall of leaves and saw movement. I brought out my fieldglassas and spotted an adult male redstart—to hidden to get a good photo, but I tried. The chickadees (there were at least two) peeped about in the periphery. And I heard a robin’s note. And a vireo up along the road. Six birds within a couple of minutes. Not bad.
The rest of the way, I saw crows, heard towhees and waxwings and two species of sparrow. Heard a catbird and waxwings. Ate a few blackberries and some blueberries. And coming back, I heard the song of a cardinal.
It never really rained much at all, but the overcast persisted. And the coolness. And just now, tonight, the air is sweet and cool and utterly calm.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:15 p.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. American goldfinch
2. Hermit thrush (voice)
3. Black-capped chickadee
6. American redstart
5. American robin (voice)
6. Red-eyed vireo (voice)
7. American crow
8. Eastern towhee (voice)
9. Cedar waxwing (voice)
10. White-throated sparrow (voice)
11. Gray catbird (voice)
12. Song sparrow (voice)
13. Northern cardinal (voice)
Elsewhere
14. House sparrow
15. Herring gull
16. Mourning dove
Birch.
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, American redstart, American robin, black-capped chickadee, Cedar waxwing, eastern towhee, gray catbird, hermit thrush, herring gull, house sparrow, mourning dove, northern cardinal, red-eyed vireo, song sparrow, white-throated sparrow
