Well, I don’t have to tell anyone around here what a great (read easy) winter we’ve had so far. I’m passing on some of our January pictures for life on the River.
By far, our highlight was a new friendly hawk who perched himself right outside my window and let me catch him resting after a fishing expedition
For the last day of the year the River continued to enjoy her warmth. Quiet except for the birds singing and the geese squawking. A final barge made her way up River in the morning and by the end of the day, Fred capped a perfect end to the year by showing his hibernating pose atop the harbor pier.
Thank you for tuning in on TOTAR these past two years, My goal when I began was to share the beauty and joy that the River brings to me and I am really proud of this blog and hope that you have gained some of the pleasure that the River has to offer every day.
I received my Blog stats from Word Press this afternoon
It has been a joy to watch the River and to share a bit of her blessing with you. I expect that I will post irregularly to TOTAR based on the River’s bringing me her unique and inspiring activities.
Richard
As the year draws to an end and this blog moves to a more irregular status (Some Days on the Allegheny River), its amazing just how calm and easy-going the River is today. She continues to be high, at least in our neighborhood, and the action has slowed to a goose pace. The geese were just lazing around this morning and gathered around this pair before heading off to feeding grounds nearby. The Consol Barge moved slowly up River with her load of coal for the New Ken power plant. And while I did not see any people on the River, one of our readers saw a bunch of kayaks on shore looking like folks were enjoying the warm December days. Enjoy yours!
Excluding the early snow, the action on the River is all on my deck. The doves, finches, sparrows and even a bright red male cardinal have returned to the feeder. With it the River is a backdrop for the ongoing meals that are helping sustain our feathered friends.
The shortest day of the year is approaching and by the end of the week, we’d have turned the corner on daylight and will be moving towards the vernal equinox. Spring isn’t too far away!
How’s that for optimism!
Its been a great fall so far and with the winter solstice coming up on December 22 (this year) the return to longer days is just around the corner.
But the best way to live winter is to embrace it and the River invites that with its crystal like water, visible wildlife and (still) misty water.
With the air temps in the 20s this morning, there was clearly some more heat lost from the River as the mist held low against the water. And our GBH friend returned and hung out on one of the pier posts. But it was the sun that made its mark for me. Low in the morning sky it illuminated the River and cast a sun shadow that was like a path from our house to the sun itself
Now that the weather has turned colder, the leaves are off the trees and the food supply begins to get is shorter supply, out feathery friends are beginning to show up thanks to our feeders that went up this week and that great Costco Bird Feed bag that is mostly sunflower seeds.
The kayak rack is set up as a winter hold and the River continues to stay high until the water begins to subside.
Today would have been my father’s 95th birthday. He would have appreciated any pictures of bird. HBD Dad!
Okay, so this blog is looking more like “Every Other Day Or So on the Allegheny River” or EODSAR rather than TOTAR.
But its oftentimes worth it when you have a couple of days like we’ve had. Fog, cool, followed by sun and sky. The River is calm like glass and reflects the changing season.
I was working on my annual “leaf falling video” this week and saw Bill fly into my frame and followed his journey across the harbor.
Back from vacation up north but ready to return to the pleasures of life on the River. Am including one video so you can see where we were and how some other Rivers get going.
Also including some pictures not posted along with a view of today’s business both recreational and commercial.
The River remains high as our beach is still minimal and the River flows at a good pace
Action on the River with hummingbirds, boaters and waterskiiers.
Saw a little kid waterskiing Saturday morning, an early morning fisherman drifting on by, a woman standing on her board and rowing…Into the full summer activity that brings out the August fun for everyone
Now that the hummingbirds discovered the feeder, they’re all around. Working at my desk this weekend, one of them found some food in a shrub right outside my window, but while he was working, this couple was doing just the opposite. Clearly the best picture of summertime enjoyment. Now if I could just have figured out what beer they were drinking…
