You never know when you will see Cedar Waxwings as they are the most unpredictable of species. This morning we had several eating little blue circular cones from Red Cedar but by 1 pm, they were gone.

Starlings, who are now in winter plumage, are much more predictable though not completely. I have many walks when none are seen.

This clever individual was speeding off with a Brown-lipped Snail even though experts tell us that these imported snails have no enemies capable of devouring them.

Other birds:

Species list: mallard, downy woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, northern flicker, red-bellied woodpecker, blue jay, black-capped chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, American robin, ruby-crowned kinglet, cedar waxwing, European starling, yellow-rumped warbler, house sparrow, common grackle, northern cardinal, American goldfinch, song sparrow.  (18 species)

Some botany:

10 am group:

1 pm group:

NATURE POETRY

Rain in the Country by Lucy Maud Montgomery:

Here in the country the cool sweet rain

Falls on the daisies and growing grain,

Shadows the pond with widening rings,

Kisses the lips of the lowland springs,

Plays with the pines on the hilltop dim

And fills the valley with mist abrim.

It flashes in shadowy forest nooks,

Dimples the faces of woodland brooks,

Whispers with leaves in untrodden ways,

Wraps the distance in sober grays,

Dances o’er meadows of lushest green

And scatters the petals where roses lean.

Miles Hearn