I’ve always been a fair weather hiker, but this year I set a goal to go birdwatching (my backyard doesn’t count!) at least one time each month in 2024.
I was dreading December’s outing, but so far we haven’t had any measurable snow beyond a dusting.
Different things stand out when the leaves are gone, the plants aren’t actively growing and all the colors are muted. For example, textures really catch your eye like bumpy tree bark, smooth ice and puffy clouds.
And there were so many oddly-shaped fungi!
I was pleasantly surprised by the number of birds I saw including a Brown Creeper, Cedar Waxwings, a Northern Harrier plus a Bald Eagle sitting on lake ice eating a fish.
December birdwatching/hiking ended up being a very enjoyable experience. Plus I think I spotted a wizard! 😉
