WALK IN A WINTER'S WOOD

Don't you just love a walk in the Winter's Wood with the semi-naked trees clothed only in their mossy lingerie? Generally you would be accompanied by fog and briskly cold air.  Well, I took just such a walk recently with our local branch of Audubon folks.  We walked through a river-bound park filled with ponds, fields and woods.  On the walk over 60 species of birds were spotted.  Among these was a gorgeous white-headed Bald Eagle.  There were ducks of a numerous variety, geese winter here too.  One thing about trees this time of year, while they provide perches, they do not cover the birds well and allow us curious humans a glance.  From the parking lot we witnessed a flock of tiny bush tits flitting around in the dawning sun.  They are sooooo small, but always in a large enough flock that as a group they catch the eye.

Take some time out, bundle up, wear "sensible" shoes and head out into the woods.  You just don't know what awaits.  Walk quietly and keep your eyes on the branches overhead.  Listen, listen for the woodpeckers.  They are very busy and you will hear them before you see them.  But, a glimpse of a Pileated Woodpecker is worth the walk, to say nothing of spotting a Flicker or two.