January 12th. The male Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) with the damaged left leg was back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The metallic green and maroon on the head really show up in this and the next couple of photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 14th. Chilly, but mostly open water...

 

...except in shaded, still areas where fresh ice was forming.

 

 

 

 

 

The male Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) with plenty of open water to explore.

 

 

 

January 15th. Seventeen degrees. Ice in ruts on the trail.

 

 

 

 

 

Over 80 Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) on thin ice or in the chilly water.

 

Stretching, grooming, and calling; preparing for flight.

 

 

 

Calling would happen in bursts of one to a few birds, then peter out. Meaning? No consensus that all were ready to fly.

 

 

 

After nearly half an hour, by which time my hands were nearly frozen, the calling reached a consensus and the birds took off in two large waves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yup, the male Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) was still around.

 

 

 

A short afternoon walk east of Cranberry Bog.

 

 

 

I wanted to check the icicles in the rock cut.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 17th. Seventeen degrees after snow, rain, and freezing rain yesterday. Made for a decent crusty surface. Trees and shrubs coated with ice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 19th. The third day after snow, rain, more snow, and bitter cold, the trail was still crusty walkable.

 

The sun made a feeble attempt to shine.

 

 

 

Yesterday, I noticed these tracks on the surface. Determined that they were made by Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) in the hours before the surface completely froze.

 

If the marsh remains frozen, I doubt we'll see geese for awhile.

 

 

 

Vapor over moving water coating nearby branches.

 

 

 

Ground Pine or Tree Clubmoss (Lycopodium obscurum).