From The Heights. #38

Good morning and Happy Thanksgiving to all those enjoying Thanksgiving Day today! We have our Thanksgiving Day in October when the weather is nicer for us. And fall colors are usually at their peak that weekend as well. Except maybe here in the north. Anyway, it is a mainly cloudy day here and the temperature is definitely getting more chilly all the time.

It was down to 12F (-11C) this morning and with the wind it felt more like 0F (-18C). There have been a few light flurries as well, nothing serious though. It is a nice day to be inside with a hot cup of coffee, relax for a little while and dream of warmer days.

Jasper, the Red Squirrel, on a cold January morning.

So, come and relax with me for a few minutes, although today we will not really think about warmer days. Instead we can take a look at some of the enjoyable things about winter. Hmm, might be a short list. Today I will be back to dusting again. This place is not as dusty as my last apartment, which is nice. But I digress.

One nice thing about winter is all the winter critters that show up more easily than other times of the year. Although some of them can be found around most any time of the year. Like squirrels. Yep, I do like squirrels. They are always fun to have around, even though they can be a bit of a pest too. Especially if you are feeding birds.

Scramble, the Red Squirrel, my little friend along the path to the river, also on a cold January day.

They like the same food that the birds like, but they can eat a lot. Which means staying at the feeder for long periods of time so the birds cannot get on it for food. That is a problem. Ruffed Grouse, that I mentioned in my last post, are generally easier to see in the winter as they are busy looking for easy food sources too.

Walking down to the river is often when I had the opportunity to see them. But they would also come to the neighbors cherry tree. I would always enjoy winter walks to the river where I could sit and watch the ducks and any other birds that showed up. The river never freezes along that part of the river, no matter how cold it gets, so the ducks enjoy swimming around and catching fish to eat.

Goldeneye ducks swimming on the river on a January afternoon with a temp of -20F (-28C).

People always ask how the river can stay open without freezing even when the temperature gets down to -40 degrees. There is always a strong current in that part of the river which keeps it ice free. It is kind of deceiving because the surface of the water can be perfectly calm and it does not look like there is any current at all. But it is still there.

We have had quite a few people drown in our river during the summer because they do not believe the warning signs telling about that dangerous current. It is because no current can be seen much of the time. It is beautiful down at the river during the winter months.

Ruffed Grouse, on the same day as the ducks above.

I really must try to get down there again this winter. Somehow. I live rather far away from that path now. But I will try to get there a few times anyway. Well, time for dusting, and another cup of coffee. Have a wonderful Thursday everyone and God bless!

Steve and Muffin.

©2023 Steve McLeod.