Minus 30 Degrees with the Wind Chill: January 29, 2022

When I heard that this morning’s forecast was -30 with the wind chill, I dressed as warmly as I could.

  • insulated boots which did me well in Antarctica
  • thermal socks
  • long underwear
  • snow pants
  • warm sweater
  • down parka with hood
  • scarf
  • ear muffs
  • woolen hat
  • warmest mitts possible with handwarmers inserted

Even so, 90 minutes after arriving at my home, I was still cold.

Today’s group all deserve gold stars for bravery!

Our best find was dozens of Common Goldeneye all packed closely together.

Common Goldeneye
Common Goldeneye
Common Goldeneye
Common Goldeneye
Common Goldeneye
Common Goldeneye (female)
Common Goldeneye
Common Goldeneye (female)
Common Goldeneye
Common Goldeneye

Other birds:

Buffleheads
Long-tailed Duck (female)
Buffleheads
Long-tailed Ducks
Ring-billed Gulls
Gadwall
Ring-billed Gulls
American Tree Sparrow
Ring-billed Gulls with Herring Gull landing
American Tree Sparrow
Ring-billed Gulls
Gadwall (male)
Hooded Merganser (female)
Mallard (male)
Gadwall (male)
Greater Scaup (female)
Gadwall (male)
Bufflehead (female)
Mute Swan
Gadwall (male)
Mallard (male)
Gadwall (male)
Mallards

Park scenes:

Moon just before dawn
just before dawn
just before dawn

MAILBOX

Hello Miles,

I thought you might enjoy these “back garden” photos. At first I thought the feast was pigeon, but now I’m thinking squirrel .

Cooper’s Hawk (juvenile)
Cooper’s Hawk (juvenile)
Cooper’s Hawk (juvenile)

Thank-you to Wendy Trueman for these photos.

NATURE POETRY

Well, he seemed so low that I couldn’t say no; then he says with a sort of moan:
“It’s the cursèd cold, and it’s got right hold till I’m chilled clean through to the bone.
Yet ’tain’t being dead—it’s my awful dread of the icy grave that pains;
So I want you to swear that, foul or fair, you’ll cremate my last remains.”

There are strange things done in the midnight sun
By the men who moil for gold;
The Arctic trails have their secret tales
That would make your blood run cold;
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
But the queerest they ever did see
Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge
I cremated Sam McGee. – Cremation of Sam McGee – Robert Service (1874 – 1958)

Miles Hearn

3 thoughts on “Minus 30 Degrees with the Wind Chill: January 29, 2022

  1. Gloria James

    Those poetry lines from “The Creation of Sam McGee” surely fit this January — even if you’re only outside for a 15 minute walk!

    Anyway the ducks are still swimming.

    Reply

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