A recent slide in the category of decent photographs has kept me more or less unmotivated to get out. That and some ongoing personal issues that I can't seem to kick. Well, this morning I forced myself out of the room and onto the trail - both doubtful and optimistic.
As you can probably tell from this photo, it was successful. The Oneonta-Susquehanna Greenway Trail (aka, my go-to trail) was popping with yellow-rumped warblers. This is a bird that I rarely get good photo opportunities with, despite their seemingly boundless presence in the spring and fall. I got lucky with more than a few birds, as they acted super curiously around me. A small gathering of dogwoods provided them and a few other species with a nice hangout.
Following the passing of two women and their three dogs, the birds along with myself had moved on. The cold air and bright sun felt great today - the warblers would probably agree. Cold air has been hard to come by this October. This is somewhat depressing for a nature-enthusiast like myself. We rely on the cold, the changing color of the leaves and the birds moving south when they are supposed to, as this opens the door for new things. Right now, behind that door waits winter.
There is some good news, as this week our first push of golden eagles came through at Franklin Mountain Hawk Watch. I tallied three on Thursday; our total now just around a dozen. Red-tailed hawks are beginning to move in numbers, along with sharpies and falcons which should be peaking soon. Two weeks ago I tallied over thirty sharpies and over twenty falcons - American kestrel, merlin, and peregrine - which was delightful! Along with them, our first rough-legged hawk of the season, which is somewhat uncommon for October.
Changing pace; the breathtaking Oneonta night sky has been shining this week. Clear skies and the the new moon allowed for some great stargazing - something that never disappoints. It is always so humbling to lose your thoughts in the stars. Our galaxy has a way of reminding us just how small we are. It is a cure for fear, anxiety and all other worry. Compare it, and our day to day problems are nothing but hiccups. Everyone comes to a bump in the road at some point; now I think I'm getting to mine. Maybe the stars will help me through it.
I think I'll take this morning's walk and run with it (no pun intended). Nature is the cure for everything, right?
K