Though the skies threatened throughout this morning’s walk, the rain did not commence until just after we finished.

These overcast skies created some interesting images:

The Golden-crowed Kinglet has an exceedingly high trill as its song. As my grandfather grew older, it became difficult for him to hear it. This became my special task as we performed June bird surveys in areas of boreal forest. I would point out the Golden-crowned Kinglets as we encountered them. Today about a dozen of these three and a half inch or so beauties followed us for a time.

Other birds:

Species list: mallard, ring-billed gull, mourning dove, hairy woodpecker, downy woodpecker, black-capped chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, Carolina wren, American robin, ruby-crowned kinglet, golden-crowned kinglet, European starling, yellow-rumped warbler, house sparrow, common grackle, northern cardinal, American goldfinch, white-throated sparrow, white-crowned sparrow. (19 species)

Some botany:

Today’s group:

NATURE POETRY

Heap high the farmer’s wintry hoard!
Heap high the golden corn!
No richer gift has Autumn poured
From out her lavish horn!                                       – John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–92)

Miles Hearn