Day 19.029: Exile #2’s Sunday Column #542

Exile #2 writes...

Well, there was a convincing victory in the east coast versus west coast Super Bowl tonight, along with the usual side serving of musical artists and ads. Green Day played before the game and were, surprisingly, allowed to play American Idiot. Meanwhile, Bad Bunny performed at half time and put on a show that was a real celebration of love and Latinx culture.

There is always some tension surrounding the choice of musicians and this year so much so that an “alternative” show was provided on another channel. But anyone tuning out would have missed a treat. It was joyful and just what was needed. Now to bed - how do they make 60 minutes last so long?

This bowl is also super (and I made it myself) [Ed.]

Day 19.028: It’s the big game

No, not tomorrow’s football championship/American cultural phenomenon but England vs Wales in the Six Nations Rugby. 

I'll leave the commentary there. And yes, we'll probably watch the "sports" tomorrow too.

Day 19.027: Just in case

There are fruit trees just outside my office window. A few years ago, when I had a windowless office on the other side, I saw some interesting birds in these trees and got some unsatisfactory photos with my phone so I keep wondering if I will one day see something interesting.

This week, I did not see something interesting, but I did take a cellphone photo of a house finch. 

Day 19.026: Just a tail

The other day, I looked out and saw a tail flicking around under the bird feeder. Thanks to a hollow in the still-knee-deep snow, it was all I could see of a bird hunting for good stuff among the reject food scattered there (primarily by the starlings).

I probably should have guessed who the small bird with the outsized and up-sticking tail was, but I waited until it showed itself anyway:

Carolina wren in the snow

Day 19.025: Night out

This evening we took Exile #3 and her friend to a cinema in Methuen MA to see the Stray Kids movie (that was the nearest place showing it). While they did that Exile #2 and I went out for dinner in nearby North Andover. 

When we got back to the cinema, the movie finished and the K-pop fans came streaming out - many dressed up for the occasion. It seems we all had a fun night.

Day 19.024: Cryptic

Dramatic unopened pine cones confused a hundred. (6)

There weren't a hundred of us, but we were a little puzzled by these half-open cones in this pitch pine on Saturday afternoon. If you solve the clue let me know!

Day 19.023: Saturday afternoon birds

Our nature group gathered in the "heat" (i.e. least bitterly cold part) of the afternoon on Saturday in Kennebunkport. Here are some of our bird sightings:

Mallards resting on the ice (approx. 335 in this group)

A few Canada geese were with them

This duck's speculum was catching the light perfectly

One American black duck was hiding among the mallards

Curly tail feathers

Red-shouldered hawk

Eeek! I've been spotted!

Off he goes

American black duck

Common goldeneye

American robins

Finding some fruit on a crab apple tree

Mourning dove (in the afternoon)

House sparrow

House finch

Rock pigeons