The slow boat is like a stroll to Nantucket. I like to stand outside and see hundreds of surf scoters “walk away” from the boat. And, oh, to hear the whistling sound of the black scoters in forty-degree sun with no wind. And what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a razorbill!
Once home, I set out to find my favorite ducks, the harlequin ducks, who hang out near the rocks by Sankaty Head in the winter. They are so beautiful and blessed with the name histrionicus histrionicus. In addition to the scoters, buffleheads, long-tailed ducks and loons, I also spied a red-necked grebe. These gifts of nature make me happy...
...As does the gift of watching the sunrise (and it is not until 6:50 am at this time of year)! The sunrise is now so far south; after the solstice it will begin its march north again. The sea birds are active at dawn. I see thousands of scoters streaming north at dawn, and hear the whistling of the black scoters.
At Sesachacha there are wigeon, scaup and ruddy ducks in addition to the Canada geese and swans. I flush 4 great blue herons. Later I hike Windswept bog and Stump pond, marvelling at the green: the holly trees, the moss, the trees blooming old man’s beard moss/ lichen usnea in the light rain. The Groundsel is gone, as are the oak leaves. Sometimes they don't get blown off til January.
The birding group on Sunday sees Northern Shovellers, eurasian wigeon, coots, ruddy ducks and the regulars at Miacoment Pond.
On my morning walk down the Sconset beach, there is frost on the beach grass and bushes, like icing on a cake. A mixed flock of redbreasted nuthatches, goldfinches, chickadees and pine siskin loudly greeted me in the Japanese black pines at the foot of the bluff. I head home on the bluffwalk.
I make my journey to the winterberry Holly to decorate the house, before heading "back to America". 
