Our mid-November week of warm weather continued before plunging into sub-zero temperatures.
Sunset on November 15th promised good weather on the 16th.
We decided to attempt the 3.3 km loop of the Dorchester Mill Pond Ecotrail. The elongated pond is located on Dorchester Creek in the Village of Dorchester. The trail offered different terrains and changing views, but there was little wildlife and few birds in evidence. We saw a total of six bird species including 11 Mallards in the pond, a Great Blue Heron perched far in the distance, several Black-capped Chickadees flitting in the bushes, two Blue Jays calling from the treetops, two American Crows flying overhead, and three American Robins whispering and chuckling through the woods.
The views of the pond from the trail were reward enough for our effort.
The trail changes elevation as it moves from forest overlooking the pond to boardwalks along the wetland and the edge of the pond.
View of the wetlands from the boardwalk.
Red and White Oak trees surround the pond. Tall Thimbleweed grew in places.
The end of the day.
We woke on November 19th to clearing skies and tolerable temperatures after overnight frost. Most trees are now bare.
This time, we headed to the Medway Valley Heritage Forest, entering via the Elsie Perrin Williams Estate. The estate property overlooks the winding Medway River. The trail leads downhill to the treed bottomland and the river.
Again, there were very few birds in evidence apart from a Downy Woodpecker, an American Robin and Black-capped Chickadees.
A towering Tulip Tree on the edge of the riverbank still held most of its leaves.
Old ornamental trees, probably Austrian Pines, stand tall on the estate grounds, now a heritage property.
Online Auction for Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory
https://www.32auctions.com/PEPtBO23
Lady Gaga
There are just too many great videos and performances. Feel free to skip any you don’t like.
A good test of a public person is how they perform with James Cordon.