London continued to have wintry weather through December – low temperatures with frequent snow and icy conditions.
On December 26 and 27, the city was coated in freezing rain. Some trees and branches collapsed under the weight of the ice that accumlated.
Despite the destruction and treacherous travel conditions, there was beauty in the effect of the ice.
Rain and rising temperatures melted the ice and caused the river to overflow its banks.
Since the new year, there has been a January thaw with above-freezing temperatures and rain. Before the snow cover melted, there were days of thick fog as the warmer air met the frozen ground and snow. Today, we look out on green grass and a sea of mud.
New Year’s Day Walk
We signed up for the annual New Year’s Day walk led by one of Nature London’s most proficient birders and attended by other accomplished birders.
It was an auspicious start to the year to have the sun shining, at least for the first half of the walk.
The route through Greenway Park provides opportunities to find resident and wintering waterfowl.
The birds were far away on the opposite side of the river, diving for fish and acquatic invertebrates such as crustaceans and mollusks.
Hooded Mergansers (male), Common Mergansers (males and one female), Common Goldeneyes (females, one male and one female), Bufflehead (male)
On the far side of the river, a Great Blue Heron was probably wondering why it had stayed in London for the winter.
Canada Geese and Mallards congregate in the shallow water where the river widens. There, they are joined by a variety of escaped domestic ducks, including a pair of Cayuga ducks (large, dark blackish green birds). There are now several odd looking hybrid ducks among the flock.
A Mallard pair and an American Black Duck in the top right photo. Other “odd ducks” in the rest.
There were a few birds high in the trees, a challenge to spot and photograph!
Slate-colored Dark-eyed Junco (a winter visitor), Downy Woodpecker (female), Red-bellied Woodpecker.
Squirrels continue to forage during the winter.
There were several sightings of Bald Eagles as they flew along the river. Near the end of the walk, one circled overhead for a better look.
It was a satisfying way to start the new year!
Winter Flowers
This waxed Amaryllis promises double pleasure.
Our trusty orchid is again gracing us with winter blossoms.
Christmas Songs
“Why now?” you ask. I prepared this playlist for use in a post closer to Christmas that never happened. I like these songs enough to share them with you.
The first and last songs are from Love Actually, one of our Christmas traditions.
Only after preparing this list, I watched several versions of “Fairytale of New York”. I had not heard it before.
