Night Winter Moon - Almost

Almost a winter moon - 12/09/2011

On the way out the door for dinner, the moon was rising through the trees that just a few weeks ago still had some leaves. I had to turn around and turn off the alarm so I could get my camera to take this shot - no tripod, steadied on the door jam, being sure the moon flare on the lens was centered on the white disc. When the moon is full, and the tide high, the City Dock area in downtown Annapolis always floods. The tide mustn't be high tonight - no sign of water flooding the low-lying streets that rest just above water level as it is under a full moon, this twelfth day before the start of the Twelve Days of Christmas.

A few mornings ago, I was late getting going after having a video conference call with research partners in China the night before. But since I was still around the house as the bird activity picked up after  

White-throated Sparrow - First winter

sunrise time, it was nice to see White-throated Sparrow Wednesday morning - picking around on the ground looking for a few seeds that had not already be pecked out of their shells. The morning was dark because of the clouds and rain, but colors on the sparrows seemed to stand out because their feathers were wet. The white spot on the throat and the yellow-colored lores. Like the moon peaking through the barren tree branches, this sparrow was making its way around the bare twigs on the crepe myrtle whose round berry-like seed pods are all that is left of summer. Those pods will be picked apart next summer when the northern migration begins again.