Environment:
Start Time: 3:35 PM Temperature: 64 degrees Sky: Cloud-filtered sunshine
Sixty four degrees. December 22nd. Kind of makes you wonder. The sky today at least had a Winter-like appearance. Steel gray clouds and muted sunshine seemed at odds with the temperature. Today’s featured image of a Great Blue Heron flying by is a good portrayal of the sky. Another alarming thing that I saw is what looks like buds appearing on some of the trees in the park. I’ve posted a picture of what I mean – pretty sure those are buds that are two months early in my book. The raptor below is what I thought was a Kestrel when I took it but is more likely a Sharp-shinned Hawk or maybe a Merlin. The bottom image is another group of Common Goldeneye who seem to be taking over the river.
Sightings:
Birds: Mallards, Common Goldeneye, Gulls, Canada Geese, Starlings, American Robin, White-crowned Sparrows, Belted Kingfisher, Red-tailed Hawk, Merlin(?), Sharp-shinned Hawk, Great Blue Heron
Critters: Mule Deer
Gear: Nikon D5600, 55-300mm
