yeah yeah, fair-weather friends

It's been cold, and I've been kind of wimpy about it this year. Also I have irrational fears about slipping on the ice. But I wanted to share this photo with you, since I finally uploaded stuff from my camera. It's a pretty sweet hooded merganser I saw on the western island in Prospect Lake a few weeks ago.

I did go on the first Sunday bird walk of December. My friend Gabby tagged along. For a non-birder, she was a great companion - sharp eyes and deep curiosity. It was a rollicking good walk in the briskosity of a new December morn. Any excuse to secretly wear longjohns!

Yesterday at work some gorgeous and large raptor flew through the backyard twice, around four o'clock. Not a red-tail, maybe a Cooper's hawk though. I had just long enough a glimpse to get an impression of finely ordered bold spotting.

This morning I was lazing in a sunbeam, relishing that brief moment in which one can actually enjoy lying awake in bed. I heard the approaching cacophony of a flock of Canada geese, and rushed to the window and tore up the sash just in time to see them fly right over my building. A pretty nice way to start the day!