Yesterday was an absolute gorgeous day out, and although the air temperature was zero Celcius, the bright sun made it warmer than that. We all spent some time on our deck in the morning, and in the shelter of the house, reflecting all that warm sun it felt fifteen degrees warmer. Hilary was enjoying her first real time outdoors, unencumbered by a massive snowsuit, or tucked into mom’s amautiq. It was such a nice day that I decided that I would spend it in my kilt.
Looking for something to do in the afternoon we decided to head into the hills on a family drive. The evening before, Travis and I had to drive to the airport in Nanisivik and along the way had seen a Rock Ptarmigan. Of course I had no binoculars with me, so this trip I decided to make it right and try and find the bird and get a better look at it in its transition plumage.
The birds are returning in droves now, and we stopped just outside of town to watch three gull species, Glaucous, Iceland and Thayer’s by the hundreds (well hundreds of Glaucous and Thayer’s it is still a challenge to pick out the Iceland Gulls). As we rounded a corner near the air strip there was a large group of gulls at a puddle beside the road, which began to fly up as we approached. Noticing something odd about a couple of them I suddenly realized that they weren’t gulls at all but a pair of Snow Geese, the first for the year. The Snow Geese obligingly flew around us several times, wanting to come back to the puddle but they eventually headed out over Adam’s Sound.
As we climbed the hills beyond the water lake there didn’t seem to be as many Snow Buntings as there had been the previous evening. Getting out near where the Ptarmigan had been, I went hiking for a short distance to see if I could find some. It was a glorious day, and there were several male Snow Buntings, singing establishing territories and waiting for the females to show up (very few have arrived as of yet). Just at the edge of a small draw, almost to the edge of the bare ground I spied another small passerine, and as I worked my way closer to get a better look I was delighted to see my first Horned Lark of the season. In short order the other small passerines will be arriving, the Arctic is awakening.
Even at 1000 or so feet of elevation the sun was warm, and I soon stripped off my jacket and enjoyed the birds and the day. Seven species of birds, the laughter of my children and birdsong, how lucky a man am I?
Comments
13 responses
are you wearing that kilt in the traditional way?
I suppose that would depend on who’s tradition.
The kilt looks very much at home in that setting Clare.
That last photo is fantastic–I agree with Duncan that the kilt looks right at home in that landscape. And what a landscape it is!
Well, you wouldn’t catch me out in my diapers (or kilt) at 32F!
P.S. Your legs could use some self-tanning lotion.
Thanks Duncan. It does look like in belongs, doesn’t it?
You’re right Pamela, it is a truly incredible land, and a glorious day.
First off Blogmom, how in the heck did you know I was in diapers???? Oh, you’re talking about Hilary. Although the air temperature was 32F, the sun really makes it comfortably warm. Especially on the deck, I wouldn’t have exposed my young girl to freezing temps. She actually protested loud and long when I brought her in.
And not just my legs could use some. Most days I’m pretty sure I’m the whitest guy in the universe.
That is quite a landscape, and you do look right in it. I wonder why that is? Do the Scottish highlands look like this? Nice list of bird for a day in the sun.
Hi Robin Andrea. I think it is because my legs enhance any landscape I’m in. No, that can’t be it. I’m not sure. It is probably somewhat reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands. But I don’t really know. I think there is less snow there.
You’re my hero. With legs like that and you’re not affraid to wear a kilt, have your picture taken and share it with the blogging world. I bow to you!
They’re the only legs I got Dave, and I rather like them. They get me where I want to go. I yam what I yam.
And I hate to admit it, but I rather like wearing the kilt. I’ve worn it several times since I got back from France, just because.
You cut a fine figure in that kilt, Clare – and yes, I think that rugged background does remind us of the Highlands, so you fit right in. I expect the kilt is quite comfortable once the weather is even a bit warm. I go around (everywhere!) in plaid boxer shorts from early spring to late fall — basically, as soon as the temperature is above freezing by mid-day. My husband wears shorts almost year round — I think he wore them until about the second week of January this year. Drives everyone nuts that he works with when the see him in shorts when there’s a foot of snow on the ground! (o:
Hi Clare, you look great in a kilt! But, to all the non-Scots out there, the ‘kilt’ is an 18th century invention, the REAL thing the Highlanders wore was a 14ft swathe of tartan cloth that they wrapped around their middle and made the rest into a cloak. The Gaelic was ‘fileadh mor’ ‘great kilt/cloak’; the modern or ‘small kilt’ is called ‘fileadh beag’ hence you see in some Highland folk songs in English the word ‘philabeg’. Very nice – and yes, our Highlands do look like that in some places. great to see! Hope to see YOU in person sometime.
Hey Fiona-Jane, it’s been awhile. That darn fileadh mor is just so much trouble to get into, laying down across ones belt and all. I’ll stick to the philabeg. Much more regimental and all. I wear it in honour of my Grandpa, who fought in one in the Great War, my only real Highland connection.