Late autumn walk in the park

Thanksgiving Day began with three of us doing a 5 mile run with several thousand other runners willing to brave the rain and cold weather. The incentive was 2000 pumpkin pies to be given away (1000 to the first male finishers and the other 1000 to the first women finishers). Meghan finished in the 400's and I finished in the 600's, so we both got our pumpkin pies. Steve's holding his consolation prize (better than a trip in an ambulance - don't ask. . .) - he didn't want a pumpkin pie. . .




Emma didn't get to go on the fun run so we took her for a walk at Whetstone Park. It was pretty cold outside so she wore her jacket.










My favorite beech tree at the park.











Some burning bush leaves haven't yet fallen.











We had our binoculars with us and did a bit of birding on the walk. I don't know what Steve spotted over there in the woods.









The perennial garden had a lot of furious activity at the bird feeders. We didn't know about the feeders here, but now that we do know about them, we'll come back to monitor the activity on every walk we take at Whetstone. This is a Carolina Chickadee.










Red-bellied woodpecker



















Downy woodpecker










American Robin










Fox sparrow - a new life bird for me.











Ginkgo leaves - these were very tempting to some of the small kids walking in the park. I saw several run into this pile and scoop up leaves to throw into the air.











Speaking of temptations - Emma is always a temptress. "Your dog is soooooo cute!"