Midwinter thaw

This looks like trouble. The fallen tree is actually this long again outside the photo!

We can't see these in the summer, because the knotweed covers them. One down, the one next to it, in the back, is already fallen onto a nearby branch.

The river is different every single visit.

No photo, but

Saw a harrier Sunday morning, downriver from the city.

There were geese across the channel from us, and they suddenly began to caterwaul. My dog and I exchanged looks: what the heck? We weren't bothering them.

I looked all around, but hadn't seen anything but geese, ducks and gulls the entire walk.

The darned thing shot like a bullet between the geese and us. It was mostly white with black wingtips, and kept them pulled in close. It opened its wings once it passed the geese, who were then screaming at it, and flew out towards the fishing access.

The geese settled down and the hunter banked and circled downstream.

I was impressed, and will be looking for harriers from now on.

pb
Little Pond