January

We had a picnic lunch with friends today at San Joaquin Nature Reserve. The day was lovely and not too cool with the sunshine warming our faces. The bird songs were welcomed. California Sagebrush dominated the air. We spotted these Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Yellowthroats too.

"Then came old January, wrapped well

In many weeds to keep the cold away

Yet did he quake and quiver like to quell

And blewe his nayles to warm them if he may;

For they were numbed with holding all the day,

An hatchet keene, with which he felled wood

And from the trees did lop the needlesse spray."

Faerie Queen, & Spenser.