WINTER CHILL... BUT NO SNOW
3.6 Mile Walk at Peebles Island State Park
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
TURKEYS, DEER, MAYBE AN OWL, AND... A WOODCOCK?!!
2.4 Mile Walk at Five Rivers EEC
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Headed over to Five Rivers to do a bit of walking after work... very few other people there, probably because it was a cold grey evening. There was a bulldozer at the trailhead to the Beaver Pond trails and signs that the trail is closed - looks like they're doing work along the far end of the pond, plus they may have been resurfacing the downhill trail which has washed out a lot over the past few months.
Quite a few birds at the feeders - nuthatches, woodpeckers, juncos, sparrows, and doves - and of course the turkey trio were there as well. I kept them company for a while, they've obviously become pretty comfortable with people. While I was watching the birds at the feeders they disappeared, but then I caught up with them going down the steep path parallel to the road. Spent a bit of time at the bottom herding them away from the road - the way cars blast through there one or more was bound to get run down if they spent any time out on the pavement - and then sat at the picnic table watching them for a bit, before heading over to the trails along the Vloman Kill.
There was a good-sized group of deer up the hill overlooking the creek; I was also pleased to see that they're rebuilding the bridge across the creek that was removed back in the fall, since that gives me more options for running and walking through that area. Followed the creek all the way up to the boundary trail, then took that to one of the connectors and over to the meadows. In one spot I walked into the shade of a path of evergreens, and a large bird flew across the path to head deeper into the trees - from the size and how quite it was I suspect it was an owl, though it was getting dark enough that I really couldn't be sure.
Walked along the access road and definitely heard a woodcock calling out in the meadows... poor guy is in for a rough time, woodcocks feed mainly on earthworms and I don't know that they're built for the kind of cold weather we're supposed to see this weekend. As I made my way past the ponds and back to the parking lot, I also startled some sort of ground bird off in the bushes - no idea what, but it made quite a racket getting away.
No deer in the orchard, but there was a group at the edge of the field next to the Nature Center - probably the same group of adults and youngsters I saw there a couple of weeks ago. I probably wouldn't have been able to see them at all, if not for the very bright lights that have been installed at the entrance to the parking lot. I'm sure they improve night security (especially with the construction that's been going on for a while now) but they definitely make ending a walk in the dark a lot less pleasant, since they're almost blindingly bright.
JMH
2.4 Mile Walk at Five Rivers EEC
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Headed over to Five Rivers to do a bit of walking after work... very few other people there, probably because it was a cold grey evening. There was a bulldozer at the trailhead to the Beaver Pond trails and signs that the trail is closed - looks like they're doing work along the far end of the pond, plus they may have been resurfacing the downhill trail which has washed out a lot over the past few months.
Quite a few birds at the feeders - nuthatches, woodpeckers, juncos, sparrows, and doves - and of course the turkey trio were there as well. I kept them company for a while, they've obviously become pretty comfortable with people. While I was watching the birds at the feeders they disappeared, but then I caught up with them going down the steep path parallel to the road. Spent a bit of time at the bottom herding them away from the road - the way cars blast through there one or more was bound to get run down if they spent any time out on the pavement - and then sat at the picnic table watching them for a bit, before heading over to the trails along the Vloman Kill.
There was a good-sized group of deer up the hill overlooking the creek; I was also pleased to see that they're rebuilding the bridge across the creek that was removed back in the fall, since that gives me more options for running and walking through that area. Followed the creek all the way up to the boundary trail, then took that to one of the connectors and over to the meadows. In one spot I walked into the shade of a path of evergreens, and a large bird flew across the path to head deeper into the trees - from the size and how quite it was I suspect it was an owl, though it was getting dark enough that I really couldn't be sure.
Walked along the access road and definitely heard a woodcock calling out in the meadows... poor guy is in for a rough time, woodcocks feed mainly on earthworms and I don't know that they're built for the kind of cold weather we're supposed to see this weekend. As I made my way past the ponds and back to the parking lot, I also startled some sort of ground bird off in the bushes - no idea what, but it made quite a racket getting away.
No deer in the orchard, but there was a group at the edge of the field next to the Nature Center - probably the same group of adults and youngsters I saw there a couple of weeks ago. I probably wouldn't have been able to see them at all, if not for the very bright lights that have been installed at the entrance to the parking lot. I'm sure they improve night security (especially with the construction that's been going on for a while now) but they definitely make ending a walk in the dark a lot less pleasant, since they're almost blindingly bright.
JMH
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
HELLO MOON!
1.9 Mile Walk Around Buckingham Lake
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Stopped at Buckingham Lake for a walk before heading out on some errands, and heard a small group of ducks over on the section of open water back near the marshy end of the pond. It's not the mobs that were there in the spring and fall but it's still good to hear them calling. I was a bit surprised by the cold, especially after the last two days have been very mild - but then the temperature drops rapidly when the sun goes down and reminds us that yes, it is still February.
On my first lap I watched the crows streaming across the sky to wherever they were roosting tonight - always an incredible sight. Since it was getting dark, I had pretty much resigned myself to not seeing much else (other than the occasional dog walker) and then was surprised on my last lap by the sight of a beautiful yellowish full moon rising, surrounded by a few hazy clouds. While there are numerous possible explanations as to why the moon appears larger when it's lower in the sky, the one thing everyone seems to agree on is that it's all in our heads - time lapse photography shows that the moon is the same size as it moves from the horizon to points higher in the sky. All I know is it was quite a spectacular sight tonight, especially since I wasn't expecting it.
JMH
1.9 Mile Walk Around Buckingham Lake
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Stopped at Buckingham Lake for a walk before heading out on some errands, and heard a small group of ducks over on the section of open water back near the marshy end of the pond. It's not the mobs that were there in the spring and fall but it's still good to hear them calling. I was a bit surprised by the cold, especially after the last two days have been very mild - but then the temperature drops rapidly when the sun goes down and reminds us that yes, it is still February.
On my first lap I watched the crows streaming across the sky to wherever they were roosting tonight - always an incredible sight. Since it was getting dark, I had pretty much resigned myself to not seeing much else (other than the occasional dog walker) and then was surprised on my last lap by the sight of a beautiful yellowish full moon rising, surrounded by a few hazy clouds. While there are numerous possible explanations as to why the moon appears larger when it's lower in the sky, the one thing everyone seems to agree on is that it's all in our heads - time lapse photography shows that the moon is the same size as it moves from the horizon to points higher in the sky. All I know is it was quite a spectacular sight tonight, especially since I wasn't expecting it.
JMH
Monday, February 06, 2012
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Saturday, February 04, 2012
I Am An IDIOT.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
I printed out the race application for the Cast A Shadow 6 hour race in Rochester this morning - and was very unhappy to see that I misread the date on the website. The race is actually TODAY, not tomorrow. Can't make it out there in time now, so - no race for me this weekend.
(Cue repeated sound of me thumping my head against the wall.)
On the plus side - Ann and I will have more time to spend together, and I can work on getting in a long run on Monday, since the weather is supposed to be nice and I've already taken the day off.
But I'm still an idiot.
THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.
JMH
Saturday, February 4, 2012
I printed out the race application for the Cast A Shadow 6 hour race in Rochester this morning - and was very unhappy to see that I misread the date on the website. The race is actually TODAY, not tomorrow. Can't make it out there in time now, so - no race for me this weekend.
(Cue repeated sound of me thumping my head against the wall.)
On the plus side - Ann and I will have more time to spend together, and I can work on getting in a long run on Monday, since the weather is supposed to be nice and I've already taken the day off.
But I'm still an idiot.
THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.
JMH
Friday, February 03, 2012
MUDDY SNEAKER 20K LOTTERY RESULTS
On the Waiting List
Friday, February 3, 2012
For the 2nd year I made it onto the Muddy Sneaker 20k Trail Race waiting list - 19 runners down, not quite as favorable as last year. Don't know what that means about my chances of running the race - close to 20 runners dropping out between now and April seems unlikely to me, but I can certainly keep my options open for the third weekend in April.
JMH
On the Waiting List
Friday, February 3, 2012
For the 2nd year I made it onto the Muddy Sneaker 20k Trail Race waiting list - 19 runners down, not quite as favorable as last year. Don't know what that means about my chances of running the race - close to 20 runners dropping out between now and April seems unlikely to me, but I can certainly keep my options open for the third weekend in April.
JMH
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
ALBANY CRITTERS
Monday, January 30, 2012
I can't claim to be a fan of Albany much of the time (not that it's personal - I'm not a fan of any city!) so it always pleases me to see wildlife around here. Today had three moments that made me smile -
Monday, January 30, 2012
I can't claim to be a fan of Albany much of the time (not that it's personal - I'm not a fan of any city!) so it always pleases me to see wildlife around here. Today had three moments that made me smile -
- As I got out of my car to go into work, I heard geese, looked up, and saw a small group circling the school, probably just before landing out on the playing fields - I saw them out there several days last week munching on the grass. Perhaps I'll actually get a picture of them sometime this week (if they keep coming around.)
- Heading toward the door, I heard something in the trees nearby and watched two squirrels chasing each other around the tree while another one looked on.
- While walking back to work this evening for a late meeting, I saw the local crows heading for wherever they roosted last night... hundreds and hundreds of crows flying against the dark blue of the dusk sky. I imagine they are really annoying to the people who live near where they roost - but it was an impressive, beautiful sight to see them flying last night.
JMH
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
SNOWSHOES WOULD HAVE BEEN A BETTER PLAN...
7.5 Mile Run at Thacher Park
Saturday, January 28, 2012
You'd think I'd have learned by now, given all the times I've gone up to Thacher in the last couple of winters and found significantly more snow there than we had down in Albany. Actually, I have learned - I brought my snowshoes with me instead of leaving them at home. But when I was gearing up in the Ryan Road parking area and saw mainly ice on the trail, I decided to go with screw shoes, and I should have known better... any trails that hadn't been snowmobiled were ankle-deep in snow and ice, which made for difficult, slow going - it would have been much easier to be on snowshoes.
Despite that, it was a good day to be out - it was grey and cloudy when I left Albany, but then the Sun mixed in with the clouds for much of my run and treated me to some glimpses of a very nice sunset. The only area that was totally clear of snow was the farm fields near the Long Path parking lot, and that was filled with dozens of robins looking for food. I had hoped to follow the mountain bike trail to the water treatment plant and run down to the Hailes Cave overlook, but the snow slowed me down too much and it was getting dark by the time I reached the hang glider launch area, so I decided to take the snowmobile trails back - I could run fairly consistently on them. Along the way I had some great views of the crescent moon framed by Jupiter and Venus - beautiful!
JMH
7.5 Mile Run at Thacher Park
Saturday, January 28, 2012
You'd think I'd have learned by now, given all the times I've gone up to Thacher in the last couple of winters and found significantly more snow there than we had down in Albany. Actually, I have learned - I brought my snowshoes with me instead of leaving them at home. But when I was gearing up in the Ryan Road parking area and saw mainly ice on the trail, I decided to go with screw shoes, and I should have known better... any trails that hadn't been snowmobiled were ankle-deep in snow and ice, which made for difficult, slow going - it would have been much easier to be on snowshoes.
Despite that, it was a good day to be out - it was grey and cloudy when I left Albany, but then the Sun mixed in with the clouds for much of my run and treated me to some glimpses of a very nice sunset. The only area that was totally clear of snow was the farm fields near the Long Path parking lot, and that was filled with dozens of robins looking for food. I had hoped to follow the mountain bike trail to the water treatment plant and run down to the Hailes Cave overlook, but the snow slowed me down too much and it was getting dark by the time I reached the hang glider launch area, so I decided to take the snowmobile trails back - I could run fairly consistently on them. Along the way I had some great views of the crescent moon framed by Jupiter and Venus - beautiful!
JMH
HURRAY!!!!
Curly's Snowshoe Race is ON!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Just got word that the snow held up better than anyone expected in Pittsfield State Forest and Curly's Record Run will be held as a snowshoe race tomorrow! Great news indeed!!!
JMH
Curly's Snowshoe Race is ON!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Just got word that the snow held up better than anyone expected in Pittsfield State Forest and Curly's Record Run will be held as a snowshoe race tomorrow! Great news indeed!!!
JMH
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