A tree to stare at

Observer: Estella Yee
Date: 11-13
Location: Between Lausanne and Goudy
Time: 945-1000
Weather: sunlight creeping out amongst the clouds, 54˚F

A few juncos have emerged today; the first crowd I saw congregated in the north area of the Hatfield Library, basking in the break of rainfall. Their small black heads and sepia bodies set them well apart from the similar 3-inch long black-capped chickadees that seemed to be their main competitors for food. Other small passerines, including cedar waxwings, were nibbling at the undersides of leaves in the upper 40 feet of tree between Goudy and Doney. The sunlight cast their bodies into shadow and washed out the colors. One of their preferred trees had a willow-like appearance with 2-inch long, serrated, ovate leaves. It bore small catkins, some dark chocolate brown, others a vibrant green. A heavy coat of moss decorated the trunk and its pale peeling bark. A sudden movement startled the birds from their feast, but they obstinately returned after a moment. Amongst the birds, a hummingbird sounded its creaky-door call, followed by a dance about the braches before disappearing once more into the foliage. There appeared to be a small clump of a nest in the upper 40 feet of tree. Perhaps that was why there was so much commotion in the area. After some moments, I finally decided it was past time to leave since people were starting to ask me whether what was so interesting about the tree.