Two Cardinals

February 16, 2010.  Tuesday.

Situation:  Work rather late tonight, at 7:30.  Take Mway out about 4, while Moi is starting to make supper.

State of the Path:  There’s a new coating of snow on the ground.  The path out to the clearing is well packed, but beyond the sumacs it is less clear – which means that in the mornings Moi has only taken Mway out as far as the clearing.  Walking along the creek, I spot boot prints going across bug land – probably from Moi taking a short cut a day or two before.  Coming up from the ridge around bug land, I hear a fascinating and rather complicated bird call coming from some shrubs – I’m about ready to despair of ever identifying what birds are making these sounds, when looking through the branches I finally make out a male cardinal.  The next moment he and his female companion fly out of the bushes.

State of the Creek:  Still mostly covered with snow, but the visible portions of the water look like so many ponds surrounded by curvy bends of snow.

The Fetch:   Two fetches today.  When we are back at the back door, Mway is pouncing on the door to get in.   She knows Moi is cooking.