Return Of The Hooded And The Hoodless

One thing I look forward to during the approach of cold weather is the return of the mergansers to inland lakes and rivers. The Hooded Mergansers have a nice contrast of color and do like to dive.

The larger Common Merganser is a little less flashy and lack the hood but one thing they share with their smaller cousins is that they too, like to dive. Both of them add a visual warmth to an otherwise cold, dreary lake.

It's Not Rare-Just A Blue Jay

I never take pictures of Blue Jays because they're so common, may people don't like their attitude, and they're less cooperative than they're worth. I believe that if they were rare birds, birders would travel the country to see one. 

It kind of says something about the way humans think. Always appreciating what we can't have more than what is right in front of us.
 

I Spent The Morning Admiring Rocks

I went out to a place called Seven Falls State Park looking for a reported rare bird which I wasn't able to find. What I did find during my morning hike along the main trail was a whole lot of rocks.

Water tumbling down over rocks makes for nice scenery. 

This giant  caught my eye. It has a shape that and size that would make the perfect cabin for Fred Flintstone. They say a lot of boulders were carried along and dropped off at various locations during the ice age.

Seems likes something interesting and mysterious going on here.

I had to wonder who put together these nice structures? Why did they do it?  Do they have a purpose?  It must have been a lot of work.

I remember there was an episode of an old science fiction show called the outer limits in which the rocks communicated with each other. I wonder if the writer of that episode ever spent time out in the woods looking at rocks?

 

There Is Beauty In The Starkness Of Winter

The leaves have fallen and temperatures are dropping. Winter is just around the corner. 

Like most people who live in New England, I grow tired of the snow and cold of the winter season by the time February rolls around.

There is another side to the story though. I see beauty in the starkness of winter. The lack of foliage lets us see things that would have been hidden during other seasons. The air itself, seems fresh and clear with the smell of burning wood creating a flavorful contrast.

 Although the neotropical migrants are nowhere to be found, winter birds stand out nicely on the bare branches. I am looking forward to the raw simplicity of the minimalist season until April comes knocking at the door again.