Ungawa. What a warm, windy morning. And what a warm, windy midday. I simply could not resist: for the first time since 12 December 2011, I broke out my bicycle. It being a southerly wind, riding south was a challenge—but coming back north, I was screaming. Felt great to get back in the saddle. Helped that the temperature peaked out at about 55 degrees (F), but considering the forecast, I might have to wait a few days for my second ride of 2012.

But nothing stops Jack and me from hiking Beech Hill. Man, was it windy up there! (Note the exclamation point.) Thinking ahead, I wore a particular cap that I figured wouldn’t blow off my head. (Thinking ahead. Get it?) Well, it blew off my head three times until, just before we reached the summit, I took it off and carried it in my hand. Excitingly, dramatically windy.

Chickadees down at the parking lot. Crows cawing from somewhere. Maybe there were other birds around, but I couldn’t hear or see any in all that wind. Muddy track. And I positively love a muddy track. Just love splashing and splatting and squishing my feet in it. Just love it. On the way up we met our friend Liz unexpectedly, which was a nice surprise, but she was headed down and had an appointment. And by the time we reached the parking lot again, I had a little towel-work to do on the feet and legs of a mud-splattered dog.

Most of the day was sunny, I might have mentioned, but a blanket of clouds moved over about the time we reached the hill. Tonight. the clouds blew away again, revealing Jupiter’s chase of Venus. (He’s catching up.) But we’re told to expect rain. And more wind.

Besides mud, by the way—in case you haven’t guessed—I also love a good, high wind.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 4:30 p.m., I hiked the open trail.

1. Black-capped chickadee
2. American crow (voice)

Elsewhere

3. Tufted titmouse
4. House finch
5. Canada goose
6. Herring gull
7. American goldfinch

Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, black-capped chickadee, Canada goose, herring gull, house finch, tufted titmouse

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 8th, 2012 at 10:04 pm and is filed under Lists, Observations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.