November 2003

21 November 2003

Despite the dark skies and rainy (snowy!) weather, the campus is alive with activity, especially in along the pond and creeks.

Great Blue Heron, with their majestic wings, and Bufflehead (ducks with spectacular black and white plumage worth a walk in the rain for) can both be seen on the pond, joining the resident Mallards. Energetic and chatty flocks of Chickadees and Golden-crowned Kinglets flutter in the foliage searching for insects to fuel their tiny bodies. Winter Wrens chatter in the underbrush while both Steller’s and Scrub Jays screech in the canopy.

The windy weather and snow of earlier this week has stripped the leaves off most of the deciduous trees, but a few cottonwood, alder, and maple are valiantly holding on to their autumn colors. All-in-all, not a bad time of year to have your eye on nature….