The Northern Shrike 8 Miler

I took a picture of the Shrike but it didn't turn out too well.  I went on a roughly 8 mile birding run since I haven't done one in a while.  I ran through the neighborhood to Dickcissel Field and back through Southeastern Park to get a feel of the Winter birds and what may or may not have shown up in the bitter cold.  The neighborhood itself was alive with small flocks of Robins, Cedar Waxwings and Starlings feasting on Dogwood and Cedar berries.  Dickcissel Field hosted the above mentioned Shrike along with the American Pipits, Eastern Meadowlarks and a Cooper's Hawk.  On the way to Southeast Park I saw the flocking Robins and Waxwings again joined by a Orange-crowned Warbler.  They were plenty of Eastern Bluebirds on Universal Drive around Millcreek Elementary School and an Eastern Phoebe nearby.  At the park I found what I was mainly looking for - Field Sparrows (along with Song and White-throated Sparrows).  On the way back home I saw a flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers in the Cedar Trees.  It was nice to see so much vibrant life in the dead of Winter.

toadshade

The Bobbing Birds 10 Miler

Had to work this morning and thought of doing a longer run in the early afternoon to shake out some emotional cobwebs and tighten up my sagging muscles.  It was a good idea for a change.  The run was strong partially due to careful pacing and the slightly windy mid forty degree weather.  The run was infused by the dynamics of Winter.  It was cool, cloudy and gray, with a fine misty rain in the latter part of the run.  The Winter birds were very active, and seemed to play with the wind by bobbing and weaving and sounding off.  I startled some American Pipits that flew up with their 'pipit' sound, wheeled around the field in front of me and settled again in the field I had just passed.  The Brown-headed Nuthatches were out in numbers flying in out of the Loblolly Pine Trees with their 'squeaky-toy' sound.  The American Robins were flying in and out of the tree tops foraging for berries.  There was a sense of fun about the whole thing.  Maybe the slight wind animated their flight but they sure looked they were getting into the joy of living.  All in all it added color to the gray, misty day and gave me a great and memorable run.

Ran 10 miles in 1:44:18 at 10:26 per mile.

toadshade

The Wild Mustard Harbinger of Spring 5

Wild Mustard
Originally uploaded by toadshade

Ran my usual 5 miler today and took advantage of the 70 degree temperature. As predicted, a few days of warm weather brought out the hardy Winter plants like Veronicas, Dandelion, Chickweed, Henbits and the Wild Mustards pictured here. These Mustards gave the bleak Winter landscape down at Dickcissel Field a little glow of yellow-golden Sun; a hint of the warm days to come. I startled about three Eastern Meadowlarks and a Ring-billed Gull. Didn't see my Shrike. My time was good if a bit slow at 50:37 for a 10:07 pace.

toadshade

The Get Back With the Program 4 Miler

I was out of town, eating poorly, and generally getting run down so I did this 4 mile hilly run in 40:46 for about a 10:12 pace per mile.  It was good to be out when the day wasn't so cold and I could enjoy the sunshine.  I was in Maryland and it was cold and rainy up there and I didn't get a chance to jog.  Watered my Pansies last night and they look great so I decided to take a pic for the blog.  The days are getting longer and we now get 10 hours and 8 minutes worth of daylight.

toadshade

Sun Tree 7 Miler

Sun Tree
Originally uploaded by toadshade

I ran about 7 miles around the neighborhood, mostly at Southeast Park. This picture was not taken there but on my last run through Dickcissel Field. Winter provides such stark contrasts and etches the sky with color. The light was pretty flat on my run today. Southeast Park wears all the russets and dull browns of Winter. The bitter cold has wiped out any trace, even Dandelions, of wildflower activity. It's supposed to warm up for the next few days and maybe that will bring out some flowering beauty. Not much bird activity down there to speak of. It's usually a great spot for Field Sparrows and White-throats. First saw a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker down there a few months ago but nothing since. Saw a Turkey Vulture circling. Need to get out there in early morning. Had the park to myself except for a couple of walkers.

Will be gone to Laurel, Maryland for the next few days. Will probably report from there. Don't know if I'll get in a jog though. My run was 7 miles at 10 minutes per mile. Beautiful day.

toadshade

The Critter Track 5 Miler

Critter Tracks
Originally uploaded by toadshade

I've been seeing more of these since they closed Benson Road (Dickcissel Field) off to traffic. I think they're Raccoon Tracks and were fun to see right by my jogging shoe prints. I had the same experience with Deer tracks back on the June 9, 2009 post. But the greatest epiphany of all is - no tire tracks!! Except for harvesting and planting this road is not used anymore except for joggers and critters. Just read Wilton's Blog about looking forward to Spring being a major joy of Winter and I concur. Will be interesting to see what they plant this year or if they let the field lie fallow. The field was fallow a few years ago and produced a great variety of yellow and blue wildflowers, mainly Wild Mustard and Toadflax, in the Spring that was just beautiful. It later produced the closet to Columbia breeding Dickcissels at the time on the wild lettuce plants. At the time it's being visited by Eastern Meadowlarks, American Pipits, Kildeer, and a Loggerhead Shrike. And this jogging critter.

My run was good at 48:12 for 5 miles at 9:38 per mile.

toadshade

Winter Light 5 Miler

Winter Light
Originally uploaded by toadshade

Actually this picture is from yesterday's run since it was so late and cloudy when I started my run today. My 'streetlight pictures' were pretty shoddy no matter how hard I tried to photoshop them into something interesting. It was a balmy 50 degrees and cloudy today and It's supposed to turn cold and snow tonight. I'll believe when I see it and will post it so you all can too! My run was good - a little sore from yesterday. Time was 49:52 at 9:58 per mile.

toadshade

Robins and Mistletoe

Robins and Mistletoe
Originally uploaded by toadshade

Took this on my 5 mile run of a small flock of Robins among the Mistletoe. The plant that symbolizes the Winter with bird that symbolizes the Spring. Robins forage in flocks during the Winter and pair off to mate in the Spring. It's a good reminder of the beauty of both seasons. Even though it's bitter cold here in SC, the day is 7 minutes longer that it was on Yule and will keep getting longer.

toadshade

Sepia Sun Tree Wintry Chill 5 Miler

Sepia Sun Tree
Originally uploaded by toadshade

Ran a quick cold 5 miler today. The temps have been in the low 20s at night and my bird bath stays frozen most of the day. It thaws enough for the birds to take a quick drink and then freezes again. My Pansies are in survival mode. The wind died down today so the wind chill wasn't bad. The run was great since the cold dictated the pace. I ran it in 46:48 at 9:21 per mile. That's fast for my 58 year old slightly overweight body. Took a picture of this bare Hickory Tree at Dickcissel Field. It always hosts Orchard Orioles, Blue Grosbeaks and Indigo Buntings in the Summer. The beauty of the cycle of life never fails to amaze me and never fails to warm the heart on a day like this.

toadshade

Dickcissel Field 8 Miler

Dickcissel Field
Originally uploaded by toadshade

Wanted to start the year with a shot of Benson Road where my readers have been awed by the Corn Crops, dazzled by the photos of Morning Glory, Wild Poinsettia, Camphorweed, Bitterweed, Goldenrods, Asters, Oxeye, and dumbfounded by the reports of breeding Dickcissels, Bobolinks, Kestrels, American Pipits (who were there today), Grasshopper Sparrows, Blue Grosbeaks, Indigo Buntings, Orchard Orioles, Red-tailed Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks and Loggerhead Shrikes. I started years ago with just running, but these other hobbies and interests just came with the territory and shaped what I am by what I enjoy today. I would like to thank at the beginning of the year the people who helped shaped this tapestry of a life which I so enjoy today. First my cousin John, who get me into long distance running, then Wilton, who got me into the study of plants and nature, Fred Davis, who help me experience the joy of a green life, James "Butch" Wilson for all of his positive support of my unorthodox (to some) interests and my two Grandfathers, Thomas Evans Wilson, and Thomas Simpson who shared their joy of birdwatching and love of nature before I could even walk.

Blessings for the New Year!

toadshade