Afternoon Stroll

November_walk_1

A stroll up the trail on a November afternoon. Will it be warm will it be cold, sunny or cloudy? Probably all of the above.

The trail was covered with a light layer of snow yet the creek flowed freely.

November_walk_2

Mountain Ash berries glowing a brilliant orange seem to scream “hey birds…what are you waiting for.”

November_walk_3

Temperatures warmed along the way as icicles glued to moss began to thaw.

November_walk_4

…and what started a cloudy day become much less so on a slow and quiet afternoon stroll.

Male Ruffed Grouse: Bonasa umbellus

Male_ruffed_grouse_12094

We caught each other by surprise this afternoon. Both walking quietly through the woods me on the trail he through the brush. Once we eyed each other I reached for the camera and got a quick photo. Head held high gave me the once over before quickly flying off into the woods. A quick and satisfying encounter for me and given I was not a hunter for him as well.

According to the climate change model used by the Audubon Society this species is projected to shift mostly out of the conterminous 48 states if temperatures rise 3 degrees C.

Urge congress to take action on climate change.