This morning I awoke to see what the temperature might be for the walk with the Fairhaven group. I really wanted to go, but I said I wouldn't even try to go if the wind was still blowing. It's been simply awful: all day yesterday it blew from the northeast so hard that the walls of our apartment that face that direction were cold to the touch. Last night I added another blanket to the bed, as my usual covers just weren't doing the trick.
As you can see from the screen shot from my iPhone just after 7:00am this morning, I was disheartened to see that the wind was still strong, with a wind chill of 1 deg F. But you know what I did, don't you? I decided to bundle up and go see if any other women would be so crazy as to try a walk this morning. There were fourteen of us, all wearing enough clothes to manage a brisk walk for an hour and a half! It was very exhilarating, and I must say I feel really fortunate to have met such a diehard bunch as these ladies. Afterwards, we went inside to have coffee and spend some time chatting.
 |
| Warm and cozy now! |
Since I am in the process of trying to keep from gaining any more weight over the holidays, I was glad to have burned a few calories so I can eat a bit more than I would have allowed myself otherwise. I worried a little about the birds, wondering how they will get enough water, since all the standing water is frozen. There's been a discussion on the bird listserv that I follow about how to keep hummingbird feeders and water warm for those of us who worry about such things. Joe Meche, a very active local birder, told us about his new hummingbird feeder. He tried it out this morning and wrote this about a female Anna at his feeder: "In no more than five minutes (just minutes ago), she was feeding....taking deep draws on the fresh/unfrozen nectar. What a delight to observe!"
 |
| Picture by Joe Meche |
This community is filled with people like Joe, and I am so glad that, although I no longer feed the birds, there are other people out there who are, and worrying about them like I do. Plus Joe is a really exceptional photographer, don't you think?
:-)
Wow! DJan, I congratulate you diehard walkers! There is no way I would walk in that temp... but then we here are not used to that sort of thing here. I have 3 layers on right now *inside the house* (it's 22 outside) and I'm still freezing... southern blood, I suppose.
ReplyDeletei've broken the ice off the water platter a few times today for our birds and ducks. don't know how i'd manage a hummingbird feeder, though. don't have to worry about that here.
ReplyDeleteyou ARE die-hards! good golly! my face froze at 25 degrees walking the 1/4 mi. to the mailbox!
You are my hero. No way would I be out there - I would have looked at the thermometer, rolled over and slept another hour!
ReplyDeleteYay for the diehards - a wonderful name for a walking group.
ReplyDeleteAnd for people who ensure that our birds and animals survive hard times.
smiles...very cool on the feeding of the hummer....we head into the freeze tonight....ice storm until monday...the temp has been dropping all day....so i will be feeling it as well....
ReplyDeleteWell you certainly are the hearty ones. I admire you for getting out and going even though it's cold. I would be sitting at home.
ReplyDeleteIt was a "hot" 38 when I left home this morning at 7:45 to go work at our church. We handed out coats and diapers to parents of young children from 9-1. Then I went grocery shopping. Now that I'm home, I'm done. We're having pizza for dinner!
I knew when you emphasized how very cold it was, that you were going anyway. You are a crazy lady. But in a good way, of course.
ReplyDeleteYou would have felt awful if you hadn't gone on this walk! By the way you're sending that moist air around to us in a big fat low pressure system. My blogs are not being picked up by some feeds. I'm still posting. You'll have to click a bit to get me.
ReplyDeleteOh, that little hummer looks so happy with it's ice-free feeder. I have one heated water bowl on the patio for my outside kitties but the one out front I have to keep changing.
ReplyDeleteYou are brave for walking in those temps with the wind blowing. Our high today was twelve with the wind giving us a wind chill of -7. It made for an especially brisk time out buying groceries. We are at 9 now with an expected low of 2 degrees tonight.
What beautiful pictures! Now, as far as walking in the wind goes, why can't I be like you? Lol.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your courageous walk! Glad you got out there and did it.
ReplyDeleteThis evening, the temperature is -27C (or -17F) The wind chill is -41C (which is about the same in °sF). It is, I think, a bit too early in the winter to be getting these brutal temperatures — they usually come in later January or February. So I wonder what will happen next month.
Blessings and Bear hugs!
Oh my goodness! You went out in 18 degree weather? Yikes! I'm just shivering thinking about it. I'm sure you burned a ton of calories. Good for you! Speaking of which, I need to burn some calories too. There are too many sweets this time of year.
ReplyDeleteYes, Joe is a remarkable photographer. I still have a great deal of difficulty taking photos of birds. They're always flying off before I get ready to click.
When I began reading your blog, I had convinced myself that you stayed in out if the cold today. I should have known that you and your friends couldn't resist! :)
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that hummers would still be in your area this time if the year. I thought they migrated elsewhere. Interesting to note that not only are they around, their photo is captured in the frigid cold temperature. I'm so glad the little birds were able to have a fresh drink of water. Touched my heart....
I'm typing on my iPhone, and it loves to replace "of" with "if" and I didn't notice until after I published my comment. My apologies....
DeleteAmazing. I'd have curled up with a book by the fireplace. If outdoor activity was a sport I'd be known as a "fair weather fan."
ReplyDeleteExceptional photo DJan and you have a great group to walking with regardless of how cold it is. As I sit here with my cuppa red tea, I am just now contemplating my morning walk and it is only -10 here, and usually we have much colder weather than you do. Have a wonderful day - I too, will be dawning layers soon.
ReplyDeleteBeing a 'birder' at heart, I was delighted to see this image of the hummer at the feeder and knowing some are out there watching over them and taking care of them during the cold days.
ReplyDeleteBRRRRR.
You ladies are to be commended. Power!!! Fortitude and all around bravery.
The intrepid hikers! You all are amazing!
ReplyDeleteWe might get above zero today. I can't believe how cold it has been in areas all over the US.
Yes, lovely hummingbird pic. The birds must eat snow here, I tell you! How else would they survive the winter?
Doubt I would have been on that walk.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for walking anyway! On a much lower level, I did that yesterday when I ran despite it being 40 degrees (cold for here). Since it was sunny and had no wind, it was a delightful run. Your advantage- a group of friends. Hope to find that on our move to FL.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that hummers stuck around in your neck of the woods.
ReplyDeleteDear DJan, that truly is an "exceptional" photograph of Anna drinking the nectar! I admire your walking in these temperatures. I haven't walked for three days because we've been in the single digits for air temperature and below that for wind chill. But tomorrow the meteorologist is predicting a balmy 30-degree day so I hope to be out and about. Peace.
ReplyDeleteYou ladies amaze me! 18 degrees and you're out walking! Love the hummingbird pic. Send those birds to south Florida - today it was 81, unseasonably warm for December.
ReplyDeleteI would take thjose balmy temperatures..I am not sure it got above zero at all today:(
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful photo of the Hummer! The Minnesota birds eat snow:)
Yes I agree, that picture is stunning. We haven't been that cold yet and I don't relish it. Today it was 50 degs here and quite pleasant(ish). As I get older, I feel the cold more so I'm happy for it to stay above freezing. Keep warm D-Jan x
ReplyDeleteAs usual you continue to be inspirational! I am now forcing myself out doors for walks in the cold and Buddy waits for me to take him to the mall for his walks.
ReplyDelete