65: A cold wind’s a blowin’

(Berries in the rain)

Yesterday it was in the 40’s and raining.  I waited for a break in the rain to go out for my walk but eventually I would have run out of day without the break ever appearing so I finally grabbed the umbrella and went out into the rain.

(View of the pond from under my umbrella)

I was surprised to find that I thoroughly enjoyed my walk in the rain, and the 40’s don’t feel so bad once you’re out and about.

(A scattering of raindrops in the meadow)

It would have been a peaceful walk with only the sound of the rain and the birds chattering except someone nearby was shooting at something.  I hope it was target practice because if they were hunting, they must be a terrible shot judging by the number of shots fired.

(Today’s view of the pond.)

Today it is sunny, windy, and freezing cold (in the 20’s).  My face and the tips of my fingers (even with gloves on) were numb in no time.

Yesterday’s rain raised the pond and creek levels considerably.  The pink flamingos are no longer in the mud but getting ready to go for a swim.  Hopefully the water will drain off fairly quickly so the cold will kill off the pond weeds as planned.

(The water is as cold as it looks.)

Because of the harsh, blustery, cold wind, I walked quickly back to the woods hoping for some shelter.  It didn’t work.  The wind seems to be everywhere today.  We have sustained winds of 14 mph with gusts up to 20 mph.  Brrrr!

(Woodland path is now part of the creek.)

(The creek has risen.)

As you can see in the above photo, the creek has overflowed its banks.  See the twisty tree to the left?  I usually stand a few feet beyond that to take pictures of the creek.

(Grasses and trees in the creek.)

The cold was hard to take at first.  This is our first really cold day of the season and I’m not used to it yet.  By the time I finished my walk, it wasn’t quite so bad.  I do need a warmer pair of gloves, though.  Mittens would be nice.

(Cold, blue sky.)

I took a container of bird seed out with me and left little offerings to the doves and other birds as I took my walk.  There is a log near where the doves hang out that has grooves in it.  I filled the grooves with seed.  I hope they find it.  I feel like it’s the least I can do since I scare the poor birds every day when I walk by that part of the woods.  I will carry bird seed with me from now on, hoping to help them out a little as winter progresses.

It just dawned on me that there are only 300 more days left in my outdoor commitment.  The first 65 days have flown by.  It will be interesting to see what the rest of the days will bring.