Winter Solistice

It was a pretty morning so we walked down to the dock and Ken feed the birds.We had a Great Egret and Great Blue Heron watching the proceedings.

We did a little birding at Ramsey Park, saw several little birds the Black tufted Titmouse, Orange Crowned warbler, Bewick Wren and White-eyed Vireo.

Went to Subway for lunch then to the Harlingen Library where we see the Vermilion Flycatcher and Ruby-crowned Kinglet as well as Cormorants, Coots and Whistling ducks. We were surprised when we looked over to where the Cormorants were sitting a hawk was sitting with them, not sure what kind til Ken looks at the photo he took it was a bit far off to really tell.

Known as Solstice Night, or the longest night of the year, much celebration was to be had as the ancestors awaited the rebirth of the Oak King, the Sun King, the Giver of Life that warmed the frozen earth and made her to bear forth from seeds protected through fall and winter in her womb. Bonfires were lit in the fields, and crops and trees were "wassailed" with toasts of spiced cider.