Snowy Isle

Snow covered Nantucket when we arrived on Friday, and gradually melted over the weekend.    My first time to see seagull tracks in snow!

 Frozen mirror pond in the Middle Moors

This snowy owl was sitting high on the road out to Great Point,  flew as we approached.  We saw him again on the way back

Mute Swans were out at the pond at Great Point.  There were 6 hooded mergansers at Coskata Pond,  and the usual assortment of herring and black backed gulls, sanderlings and eiders. 

A Northern Harrier swooped over the heath and lichen near Wauwinet.  Check out the ice floes at Wauwinet Harbor!

Low Beach view

Walk in Squam Swamp on January 11

 

Winter Walk on the Beach from Hoick's Hollow to Sankaty Head.

1 snowy owl,  7 Harlequin ducks,  60 buffleheads,  sanderlings and various gulls.

At the Birding group,  saw bluebirds (and hooded mergansers and brant and northern harriers).  Lichen and Spanish moss shining green in the mist on Saturday morning ,  and the red winterberries abound.

September 14 Hike to Pout Ponds

Beaver Moon

The Farmer's Almanac says the November full moon is called the Beaver Moon because it was the time for trappers to set their last traps before the winter's freeze. 

 

Saw dozens of  long-tail ducks flying low,  first north,  then south.  White winged scoters on the water;  sanderlings still on the beach,  and many gulls,  including a Bonaparte's gull.   2 dozen seals on my walk to Low Beach...many right at Low Beach. 

Altar Rock

Hiked with Sam, Mari and Chipwich from Gibbs Pond to Altar Rock on Sunday.  The Sickle-Leaved asters are still out in abundance.  Still a little too early for much goldrenrod.  Did catch my first Blazing Star (Liatris)  of the season,  and some early Pearly Everlasting!

Hike Around Stump Pond

How to express the incredible aroma of the Sweet Pepper?  It's like sasparilla...

The sickle-leaved asters are out,  and the bush clover.  No goldenrod yet!