Death in the afternoon

[jhetley]

Returned from the ski outing and saw a flurry of brown wings and a banded tail vanish into one of the spruces out back. Our first-year sharp-shinned hawk, the prime suspect in the dearth of birds at the feeders so far this winter.

Later, from upstairs, saw a shadow plucking feathers from something dead, in the selfsame spruce. I may investigate further before dusk, checking to see if any of those feathers can be keyed out to species.*

We need more snow. The ski trails have gotten packed to the point where turning gets interesting, and at the end of my run I fell down skiing across the parking lot. Fell on my problematical right knee, of course...

*Still Later: Wife slogged out to the compost bin and then examined evidence. She reports gray body-feathers, size and curve and shade consistent with a junco. We can spare a junco or two. Would have preferred starling or English (house) sparrow, but...

4 miles, 54 minutes.

Comments

Skis question

[cymrullewes.livejournal.com]

Where would one go to get the best deal on several pairs of skis that probably won't be used often? Downhill and cross-country types.

Everyone in my family is prodding me to go skiing and get the girls involved with winter sports.

Re: Skis question

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

I don't know what shops you have available. New or used?

Around here, the local ski club holds a used-equipment sale each year. We also have a used-sports-equipment resale shop. The ski shops generally slash prices later in the season, particularly in an "open" winter like we've had lately. Or you can shop _way_ early for the next season, pre-season sales and such.

For kids, you need to worry about growing. Little nuisances keep doing that, I've noticed. So you'll probably only get one year out of a pair of boots, one reason for looking at used. Length of skis and poles also ties into body size, but you can let that slide for a couple of years if necessary. Because of the growth thing, kids-sized used equipment tends to be in pretty good condition.

I haven't done any downhill skiing in a century or so. I do know that the upscale boots are even more closely fit there, with injection foam molded to your foot. Also, there's a wider range of equipment tailored to skill levels.

I bet this doesn't help much...