Your Correspondent

 

From the frozen North Pole Upstate NY..

It isn't quite down to zero yet, but it sure is cold. (Apologies to friends in other regions who might be reading this, where it is warming up to zero and they are rejoicing...I am a puppy about cold weather...what can I say?)

When I walked the dog I added some extra leashes to his long rope so I didn't have to step out on the crust and ice. The stars were little frozen dots in the sky, all glittery and pretty and about as warm as the devil's heart.

I haven't seen or heard the Carolina Wrens in three days even though I made this stuff just to feed them and they had been eating it. I hope they are just hiding.

We have refrained from birding the last few days. Our county was under a state of emergency...no unnecessary driving...and conditions on the north-south roads were ugly. The wind was strong enough to twist the house and certainly able to pick up all the lake effect snow and stack it between the snowbanks.

I know I will sound like a typical old fart "back in my day, sonny" but this is a winter reminiscent of the 70s when I was new to driving and the streets in Gloversville were all one lane because of the huge snowbanks. Actually, this is milder than that, but it is bad enough.

Anyhow, in a twist of cabin fever yesterday we ventured out for a short bird expedition. Complete waste of time. I got some pretty pictures of snow, which looked good from inside the warm car, and we saw some turkeys. Pretty bleak and barren and not in any way birdy.

But wait! What birdsong breaks in yonder snowy bush? A Northern Cardinal is singing in the hedgerow by the old horse pasture, the first of the year.

And now the House Finches are singing too. The American Goldfinches are just beginning to subtly molt into their brilliant summer finery. A yellow feather here, a yellow feather there.

Is there hope on the horizon?

Maybe.

High-Mountain Roadrunners and Fluffy Little Robbers

 

High-Mountain Roadrunners

Went on a fast birding trip with my good friend and mentor, George Steele, yesterday. We went from home to Tupper Lake to Saranac Lake to Lake Ontario, stopping along to way to look for winter finches, Canada Jays, and hopefully some Short-eared and Snowy Owls. We missed the owls, but everything else was downright rewarding.

Canada Jay

We began our mountain tour long before sunup. As we entered the Adirondacks we were treated to a full moon that rivaled daylight, setting ice fog aglow on the snowy peaks and striping shadows like ancient ink drawings across the silent marshes and bogs.

I love the mountains

As it set behind the nearby heights the sun began to tickle the tops of the peaks to the east. Within what seemed like only minutes it was daylight. Soon we were at Sabattis Circle Road where we failed to find the usually ubiquitous Canada Jays but were surprised instead by a flight of Pine Siskins, one of which nearly flew in my ear, and gritting flocks of both kinds of crossbills.

White-winged Crossbill

Pine Siskin

At Bloomingdale Bog we found the Canada Jays, or maybe I should say they found us. Long known as "camp robbers" they seemed downright fascinated by the peanuts we brought along, although they would not land on my hand to get them. They have to be the fluffiest, cutest, kind of jay on the continent.

Rough-legged Hawk

Then we were off to Peninsula Point on Lake Ontario. We encountered all sorts of birds there, most notably 27 (!!!!) Rough-legged Hawks. They were everywhere, even in groups of four or five squabbling over prey. We watched a Bald Eagle engage in aerial combat until it robbed one of its dinner. It must have been something fairly substantial, as the eagle sat on it for quite a while.

It was fun. The mountains are glorious wrapped in a thick mantle of snow, sometimes feet thick on individual branches, and the air is elixir of joy to breathe. I do love those mountains and the critters that live there.

Bloomingdale Bog Trail

Mad props to George for somewhere around fifteen hours of challenging driving into and across the mountains, then back down into the valley and home.

He and his wife Anita have a new book coming out next month that seems very appealing. It is a children's book about a blind girl who enjoys identifying birds by their songs. I encourage you to check it out. 

Fluffy little Camp Robber

It's Superb Owl Sunday Again

 And we have snow. Cold, white, fluffy stuff that is weird to shovel. It ain't heavy but it ain't my brother either.

Anyhow, whether you watch THE GAME or try to make like a bear and hibernate while eating snackies, enjoy your day. Don't shovel too much!

About that Birthday

 

Becky wanted nothing more expensive than a peaceful day in the car, listening to podcasts, resting, and escaping from the busy of normal life.

Otsego Lake

As is not unusual, I wanted to chase good birds, so we combined the two, with the added attraction of inviting our good friend Kris along.

The boss drove. He is a great birding driver, as he knows just how to put you on the bird you want to see. He did a great job of just that all day. Kris found me a Merlin, which I needed for my 2025 county list, plus we found Savannah Sparrows, also FOY for me.

Fish

We started out in Cooperstown, getting the American Coots, and assorted other wildfowl that congregate there to take advantage of the open water provided by the bubblers that protect the docks. Coots are uber cute! It was great fun to watch them striding, all big-footed and funny, over the ice, and to listen to their squeaky-toy peeps and chirps.

And more fish

We tried a number of other good spots over the course of the day, seeing everything from the Merlin to a number of daytime Short-eared Owls.

The boss suggested we drive up into the Van Hornesville fish hatchery. We had driven by hundreds of times over the years, and never entered. What a place! Pool after pool of Rainbow Trout of assorted sizes, throngs of the creatures, circling and swirling madly. There were hundreds of thousands of them. We were fortunate to encounter some of the staff there, who patiently answered our dozens of questions. I can't wait to visit again in the spring.

An old spring house at the hatchery

Which Kris noticed was occupied

I believe that a good time was had by all...It was a great way to spend someone else's birthday. lol. Thanks Becky, Ralph and Kris.

The massive spring that feeds the fish pools

If You See

This beautiful person today, baker in chief, collaborator on amazing meals, and probably the kindest and most generous person I know, please wish her a very Happy Birthday! 

LOVE YOU BECKY! Hope you have a wonderful day!