T-Day is Almost Here.

11-23-22 SHORT HILLS: The trip back to NJ was wet and snowy until we got out of VT, and it was fine after that. Here in NJ there was a cold wave for a few days, but now it’s in the fifties.

We went to Loantaka to walk the dogs this morning, and it was almost deserted. The pond was bird free, which is unusual. The feeders here are getting the usual winter suspects. Finches, woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, Carolina wren, sparrows, juncos, titmouse, doves, cardinals and occasional transients are mobbing the feeders. The grackles are gone until spring—I think. 

I still have a few chores to do outside, but they’ll wait until T-day is over. Judy and I are not hosting this year, Anna and Gardner have taken up the gauntlet, and they’re hosting about 20 of us at their new place in Greenwich Village. Judy did a lot of hors d’oeuvres, and I baked two pecan pies—actually maple bourbon pecan pies. We’ll bring it all in in the morning.

It's unusual to see a pair together. Red-bellied woodpeckers, the male is to the left and above with a full red head while the female is lower with a red nape and grey head.