Reliable Partners

Thanks to Trisharooni for today's MM theme of favorite things.  It's time for me to say goodbye to my beloved hiking boots that served me well for many years and miles of walking, hiking, and birding, alone and with friends and loved ones.  I was always happy lacing them up because I knew that fun was ahead.  The left sole sprung a small leak at last and that just won't do with all the mud I get into.  The replacement pair arrived on Saturday, so they have a few more days to "cure" in the garage before I can safely take them out of their packaging.  Will they fit as well?  Will they be as comfortable?  Time will tell.  But it's time to let go and move on. 

Today we had our first sighting of what we believe was a female lapland longspur.  (Do they have black spots on their bellies?)  A male goldfinch arrived at our feeder today.  A flock of cedar waxwings visited us this afternoon.

It's encouraging to see the many positive messages on Blip as we head into what may be the worst weeks of CV19 here in the U.S.  I'm wishing every one of you and yours well.  We will get through this and hopefully be better as a result in some ways...deaths and hardships not to be diminished.