Thursday, December 09, 2010

Weymouth Woods birding stroll

Howdee all,

This past Saturday Jeff and I took stroll to one of our favorite birding spots outside of my Sickstas yard, which in my opinion is very birdie. We drove about ten miles to Weymouth Woods.

It was early afternoon before we braved the coldish air…We are wimps these days and anything below 55 has us closeted away indoors seeking warmth.Weymouth Woods_003We did go out despite the chilly air…all bundled up in our thick fleece and down.

I don’t know the plant below..but I loved seeing the pink in the Long-needle pine forest.

This woods is famous for the declining population of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker..which we didn’t see this day…as we were out for a walk too…and didn’t want to spend the time searching the pines or waiting at the feeders..Weymouth Woods_002It was the type of birding day that if we heard birds, or saw movement we stopped, as we hiked the trail…but we didn’t go out of our way to find a bird. We know there are Bachmann's sparrows here..but didn’t bother to look…We get great views and songs from them here in the spring.

So…we walked the trail…and I saw these shrooms..Weymouth Woods_004Havent put and ID on them yet…Weymouth Woods_006Any ideas?

Looks like Orange Mock Oyster Mushroom..but not sure.Weymouth Woods_007We stood at this spot for a long time…this area dips down into the wet area…

Lots of Holly berries..which means lots of birds…especially Robins.We saw a few Pileated, Downy, and family of Red-headed Woodpeckers. Weymouth Woods_009We also heard and saw a few Fox sparrows..what a beautiful song.

After a few hours the sun was starting to go down and we were getting cold..

So we took the shortest trail back to our car.Weymouth Woods_011Weymouth Woods_013Weymouth Woods_014Below..young Long Needle Pine…Weymouth Woods_016Almost to the car…the sun lights up the distant grass..Weymouth Woods_001Time for a hot cup of tea!Weymouth Woods_017

Hope you are all staying warm…

Jeff and I did not venture outside at all yesterday..It was too cold..

How is it in your neck of the woods?

9 comments:

  1. It is cold........that's what it is in my woods. Nice photos though Dawn.

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  2. Great walk Dawn. With the wind chill it's about -25 C. or about -12 F. Boom & Gary from The Vermilon River.

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  3. ...it was 12 degrees F in the morning. Gack. It's more like January weather. Loved the photo of the baby pine trees...so green and sweet.

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  4. Great photos! Love the effect of those "touches of color"!

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  5. I just got back from a week in Louisiana where it was warm. I'll be posting photos from that trip for weeks.

    Colder then a witches __ in a brass bra up here. Unusual for December. I think I still might venture out on Saturday to Plymouth Harbor. Looking for the elusive Snow Bunting. Hope you and Jeff are well.

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  6. I would love to see temps in the
    50s. We have another storm coming this weekend ... Yikes!

    Super post!

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  7. Weymouth Woods looks like a lovely place to visit. Your images are beautiful! Wish we had temperatures in the 50's. It would feel downright balmy to us here in The Windy City (Chicago). Major storm expected this weekend :( Stay warm!

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  8. What a beautiful place! I'm probably the only person who loves pine needles and I wish we had pine trees in the yard. I would let them just lay there where most people rake them up and burn them. lol

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  9. Thanks everyone for your kind comments..
    looks like we are all a bit unseasonably cold ...its going to be in the single digits here in NC tonight..YIKES

    Kimmy..I love the pine needles too..here in the Sandhills most people just let the needles sit under the trees for a nice ground cover.

    Thanks again friends..STay warm!

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ok what do you really think?????