Wind, Weather and Feathers

Red-tailed Hawk                                        © Diane B. Reed

It's been a rather unsettled December, with a number of significant windstorms. No snow down in the valley yet, but an unusual amount of rain. We made a recent day trip to Pullman, accompanied by herds of tumbleweeds. They were skipping around every corner on our trip up and back. We don't get that many here in Walla Walla, but they abound in the open spaces in the Palouse. With wind gusts up in the 60 mph range, they move right along.

We seem to be saturated with hawks at the moment. The Sharp-shinned Hawk hangs out in our walnut tree so regularly that the little birds haven't been eating us out of house and home at the feeder. When the Sharpie takes a break we often see a Red-tailed Hawk looking for an opportunity. He seems to range from nearby Fort Walla Walla Park down to the pond in Lions Park.

It's the time of the year when we see Great Blue Herons in the fields outside of town. It seems odd to see them away from the rivers and ponds, but at this time of the year they're also looking for mice and small vermin in the cut fields.

Now that we've passed the solstice it's heartening to know that the days will begin to lengthen, turning the corner from darkness toward the light. Still, winter in its fullness is yet to come. Who knows, perhaps we'll have a white Christmas!

Dust of Snow

by Robert Frost

The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree

Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.