While I was away
When I left for vacation, ice was just beginning to form in protected coves during cold nights. By the time I returned a week later, after several days and nights of temperatures in the single digits, ...
Common Mergansers
In the pre-dawn light, a group of 16 or more common mergansers swam and dove in the creek. Thin sheets of ice drifted slowly with the outgoing current.
Last Cactus Blossom
The Christmas cactus in the kitchen window started blooming in mid-November. Today, it dropped the last of its pink blossoms. I suppose that makes it a "Thanksgiving-Christmas-New Years" cactus.
Slippery slope
Early this morning, I emerged groggy-eyed from the lighthouse. I noticed the icicles hanging from the bird-feeder, the result of freezing rain overnight. However, I did not notice the thin coating o ...
Common Goldeneye
An overcast and misty morning on the river. North of the lighthouse, a dozen or more common goldeneye waterfowl congregated--black and white feathered bodies against a uniform gray background. Aside f ...
CLIMATE CHANGE REPORT
On these unseasonably warm January days, small talk about the weather quickly shifts to big talk about climate change. It's certainly on my mind as of late. In early December, I attended a conference ...
Record Temperature
A south wind blew out the fog this morning, wisping through the reeds and trees. When the fog bank cleared, a bald eagle appeared in the treetops. The sun also appeared from behind the clouds. By mi ...