I officially started dreaming of the Smoky Mountains today. I started by rummaging through some photos from last year. K took this one on top of Mt. LeConte. Then, this afternoon I cross country skied the Hiker Trail at Hidden Lake Gardens and it was by far the BEST day of Winter so far. It was 35 but it felt like 75. There’s nothing like being in the woods on a warm winters day. Another thing that reminded me of spring was that I heard a “cheeva, cheeva, cheeva” and a “Feee Beeee”. You birders know what I’m talking about. Birds stop singing in the winter. Singing is used by birds in the spring and summer for breeding and marking territory. But in the winter they stop singing and only use call notes. BUT, today I heard the song of the Tufted Titmouse and the Black Capped Chickadee. Apparently the warm weather was making them feel a little frisky too.
The Heron 