Snow Storm

We had a nice little snow storm yesterday, a mix of heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain. Probably about 4 inches total. I took a hike along the Northwest Branch since schools were closed...

February 2019: Embracing Winter

Potomac River near Harpers Ferry

Potomac River near Great Falls

Hooded Mergansers

Eastern bluebird

Red bellied woodpecker

Sparrow

Neighborhood Hawk

Juvenile Bald Eagle near Point of Rocks on the Potomac River

Awesome Oak Tree in Point of Rocks

Winters here in Maryland can be hard to bare some years. They are long and grey with every type of weather one can imagine. We've had arctic blasts followed by days in the 60's, snow, rain, and everything in between. This year I'm trying my best to embrace the season. I love spring and summer, not gonna lie. However, I know from experience, that if I jump the gun longing for their arrival, I'm setting myself up for disappointment and depression. The weather around here will make you think spring is on the doorstep, only to snatch it away. I'm convincing myself that I love winter too.

As I've mentioned before, I'm really enjoying taking pictures of birds this year. It's a challenge, and it takes 100 garbage photos just to get one decent shot, and whether or not the photo is even decent is up for debate. I may have to up the photography game by getting a good camera.

Here are a few photos from the last couple of weeks. In particular, I love trying to photograph the local hawks. The Potomac River has been a great source of experiencing some wildness in this concrete jungle...

More Snow, More Birds

Dark eyed Junco

C&O Canal and folks playing ice hockey

Northern Flicker

Carolina chickadee

Potomac River

Great Blue Heron

Pileated Woodpecker snacking on berries

Red bellied woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

We've had a couple of small snowstorms this week as the polar vortex descended on our area giving us temperatures in the morning in the single digits and daytime highs in the low 20's. Schools were closed one day and yesterday we were released two hours early as a clipper dropped about 2 inches during the morning and afternoon. I decided to go for a hike along the C&O Canal after schools let out yesterday afternoon, while the snow was still falling. It was a cold, but peaceful hike.

There were several groups I saw playing ice hockey on the frozen canal. The trails along the Potomac River were closed, so I walked along the towpath and took pictures of birds. The highlights for me was seeing the Northern Flicker and getting my best picture of a Pileated Woodpecker to date. Hard to believe temps will be in the 60's on Tuesday...