The RiverHag is now on disability. River visits are now shorter, but more frequent. Our new blog will reflect that.
Go here from now on, and thanks for your interest!
pb
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Warming up in May
Finally arrived at the time of year when the RiverHag looks for shadier spots to enjoy. The Chemung is on the other side of the trees.
Cloudy, almost-raining days are perfect for seeing more unusual behavior in our local river denizens. The geese were lazy and enjoying the recently mown grass on the walkway. They moved indolently down the bank as we approached.
I don't know what sort of tree this is, but the catkins sort of glisten in the morning light.
And it was just beginning to clear up, so the heat chased me back indoors.
Cloudy, almost-raining days are perfect for seeing more unusual behavior in our local river denizens. The geese were lazy and enjoying the recently mown grass on the walkway. They moved indolently down the bank as we approached.
I don't know what sort of tree this is, but the catkins sort of glisten in the morning light.
And it was just beginning to clear up, so the heat chased me back indoors.pb
Saturday, May 15, 2010
May 2010 on Foster Island
After three weekends of rain, we are thrilled to warm our bodies while hiking the perimeter of Foster Island, out behind the historic Water Board. Happy Spring, at last.pb
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Help, if you got it?
Once again I am asking for the identification of this tree. I've looked everywhere, and the best I can do is maybe an alder.
The main problem with it being an alder is that they are not native to the area. In fact, this is the first one of whatever it is, I've ever seen in my life.
After about three years of watching, I finally located a berry. But it has over-wintered and is wrinkled, small, and very much out of reach. I estimate the size to be that of a pencil eraser, but I can't be sure, because it's so high.
The tree itself spreads out beautifully! Nicer than an apple or cherry, for instance. It has leaves and blossoms like those fruit trees, although the blossoms are not very pink. And the darned thing is covered with very long, hard thorns. Much nastier than even a rose thorn.
The branches tangle just like the fruit trees, but the fruit is just a tiny berry. What's more, they are gone long before they are even ripe, so I can't tell you what color they are.
The main problem with it being an alder is that they are not native to the area. In fact, this is the first one of whatever it is, I've ever seen in my life.
After about three years of watching, I finally located a berry. But it has over-wintered and is wrinkled, small, and very much out of reach. I estimate the size to be that of a pencil eraser, but I can't be sure, because it's so high.
The tree itself spreads out beautifully! Nicer than an apple or cherry, for instance. It has leaves and blossoms like those fruit trees, although the blossoms are not very pink. And the darned thing is covered with very long, hard thorns. Much nastier than even a rose thorn.
The branches tangle just like the fruit trees, but the fruit is just a tiny berry. What's more, they are gone long before they are even ripe, so I can't tell you what color they are.It's bark is heavily grooved, and of course the tree itself is gnarled.
Can anyone give me a link to check on this thing?
Thanks.
pb
Little Pond
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Very odd sound
Don't expect wonderful cinemaphotography here. Just listen. Four seconds of crackling. The river is thawing, inch by inch. Ellie was perturbed and stood at attention for what had to be three or four minutes. I thought she even whined, so I shut off the camera to see.
The sound moved downriver and she turned to follow it. There were some weird pinging and sqeaking, too. Ellie would not walk on the ice. Unusual for her, but she seemed spooked.
Me, too.
pb
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