A chilly wind, bitter temperatures and many snow drifts made this morning’s walk a challenge.

Even so, we had 15 species of birds though, curiously, there was not a single mallard. They have gone elsewhere to find calm, open water.

Species list: mute swan, Canada goose, redhead,  bufflehead, greater scaup, long-tailed duck, common goldeneye, white-winged scoter, red-breasted merganser, ring-billed gull, red-tailed hawk, black-capped chickadee,  house sparrow, northern cardinal, house finch.  (15 species)

Here are some of the other birds:

Here are some clients at the feeder:

a little botany and some park scenes:

NATURE POETRY

Come, bring with a noise,
My merry, merry boys,
The Christmas log to the firing.
While my good Dame she
Bids ye all be free,
And drink to your heart’s desiring.      

–  Robert Herrick (1591–1674)

Miles Hearn