Pasta with Beans and Spring Vegetables

Radiatore Pasta with Cannelini Beans and Spring Vegetables

Ingredients
2 cups Radiatore pasta
2 medium red potatoes cut into 2 inch cubes
3 Tablespoons olive oil
1 Tablespoon butter
1 bunch asparagus
1 cup peas
1 leek rinsed well
1/2 medium onion chopped
1 can cannellini beans
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
chopped parsley and chives
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper 
Crushed red pepper (optional)

Now that warmer weather is here (it was over 90 degrees today) that means that meal prep needs to be simple and quick. This recipe is made mostly on a sheet pan and putting it together is a breeze.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray sheet pan with olive oil. In a bowl, toss potatoes with 1 Tablespoon olive oil, then spread on pan and bake for 10 minutes. Slice asparagus into thirds, and cut leek lengthwise, then slice into 1/2 inch pieces. Toss with 1 Tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper and add to sheet pan. Bake for 15 minutes, or until done, stirring occasionally.

Cook pasta. When pasta is done, turn off water and add peas and let sit for a minute before rinsing.

Melt butter in a large pan, add onion and cook for 5 minutes. Add beans, parsley and chives and heat through. Add baked veggies, pasta and peas. Stir in remaining olive oil. Season with salt, pepper and red pepper to taste. Serve with fresh grated Parmesan and additional parsley and chives, if desired.

Spring Birding

White-throated sparrow

With few other activities allowed, I have spent a lot of  time outside with my binoculars, walking fields and woods looking for birds, especially those returning from their spring migration. May is a great month to look for the warblers, many that you can only see this time of year. This blog highlights a few, but also other birds that I have observed so far this spring.

The most common warbler this year is the Yellow-rumped or Myrtle warbler. The other day there were more than I could count in the trees and brush around Horseshoe Pond in Concord, New Hampshire. They were not shy and would freely come out into the open as if saying "look at me, I am so pretty!".

Male Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) warbler

Female Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) warbler

Distinctive Yellow rump

Every so often, I get lucky with my camera and capture a clear in-motion picture

Yellow-rumped warbler in flight.

A bit more elusive, I was excited to get a photo of a Black-throated green warbler.

Black-throated green warbler

Although warblers have been my focus lately, for some, the larger birds are more interesting.For example,  two Brown thrashers startled us as they romped around in the brush  at Riverland Conservation area in Canterbury. We heard them tossing tossing leaves into the air before we saw them, so it's not hard to discern how they got their name.

Brown thrasher 

The Rose-breasted Grosebeak is very colorful and a beautiful bird to listen to as well. Like Robins, they love to sing (click on the picture below.)

Rose-breasted Grosebeak

One of the most impressive sites is seeing a flock of Cedar waxwings. You will seldom see just one. On Mother's Day I counted sixteen in one tree. Like all of us these days, they are always wearing a mask.

A flock of cedar waxwings

Cedar Waxwing

As the weather warms, insects become more prevalent. Although a nuisance for us, they provide needed sustenance for birds directly, but they also support fish and other aquatic life, which in turn are eaten by larger birds such as this Kingfisher.

Belted Kingfisher

Great Blue Heron's are not uncommon, but are always impressive. In spite of their large size they can sometimes be overlooked because they keep very still when stalking fish. When a fish comes close enough, they quickly lower their neck and grab it with their large beak.

A Great blue heron standing still as a statue

Many raptors hunt fish. In April, Ospreys can be seen near waterbodies as they return from Central and South America. This bird below flew directly over our heads and then perched on a dead tree overlooking a pond. They are great fishers, diving from as high as 100 feet to catch their prey (NationalGeographic.com)

Osprey

One raptor, that has made a successful comeback, after becoming practically extinct in New Hampshire, is the Bald Eagle. They were once federally endangered due to the widespread use of the chemical DDT. Their return to the landscape, is an example of the success of the Endangered Species Act. They were removed as a federally listed species in 2007, but they remain legally protected in New Hampshire. It is no longer uncommon to spot them year round, especially near the Merrimack River.

A bald eagle takes flight at Knights Meadow Marsh in Webster, N.H.

New Hampshire has some great birding areas, but I cannot forgot that I often don't need to leave our yard to observe some fantastic birds, sometimes when I least expect it. The other day, while I was refilling a thistle feeder, both a Common Yellowthroat and a Prairie warbler landed in a juniper bush right next to me. Of course I didn't have my camera with me, but the next morning the Prairie warbler was back and I took the photo below from inside the house.

Prairie Warbler in a Juniper bush.

I put a hummingbird feeder out on May 1st, which was probably a little early, especially since we got snow on May 9th. However, two weeks later, the first male Ruby-throated humming bird showed up. The females will follow shortly.

The first Ruby-throated hummingbird of the season

 After seeing a friend post a picture of a Baltimore Oriole on Facebook, I decided to set out some orange slices to try and attract them. It took about four days, but it worked!

Baltimore oriole

Typically there are lots of expert led bird-walks in May, but this year, with the Coronovirus pandemic, the casual birder has been left on their own. I still need a lot more practice to be able to quickly identify many birds in the field.  But, if I am lucky enough to snap a picture, I can try and identify it later.To help me with my identifications, I use the Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds; the Cornell lab's All About Birds website and their accompanying Merlin Bird App. With Merlin you can either describe the basic categories of the bird, or you can upload a photo, and it will give you a list of  possible choices. The app is great to put on your phone to make quick identifications. It can also be helpful to check eBird and see what birds have recently been sighted in your area. I will be glad when I can once again wander the trails with fellow birders, but for now, I am just grateful to be able to get outside and enjoy our feathered friends.
 

Earth Day 2020

Daffodils and Snow-Earth Day 2020

Today is the fiftieth anniversary of the first Earth Day in 1970. You can be forgiven if you were not aware. It is hard to read about anything other than daily infection rates, death tolls, and when we are going to reopen the economy. But today, we are facing an environmental crisis just as significant as what was occurring fifty years ago. Rivers may not be catching fire and most people know that the outside of their car window is not a dumpster. However, the effects of a changing climate are becoming more apparent every year. We grieved for the people of the Bahamas following the destruction of hurricane Dorian last August and we watched in shock as the wildfires of Australia destroyed millions of acres, thousands of homes and billions of wild animals earlier this year. Yes natural disasters will happen, including pandemics, however climate change will only exacerbate these problems, accelerating their frequency and intensity. Now, more than ever we need to demand change as millions of people did in 1970. During our current global health crisis, businesses and industries have been shut down as people have been ordered or encouraged to stay in their homes. And the economic consequences have been devastating, with record high unemployment and unprecedented demand on local food banks. However, on a global scale we are also realizing significant reductions in fossil fuel emissions as a result of temporarily closed factories, cancelled air travel and more people taking to the street on bike or foot instead of cars.

When we discuss reopening the economy, we should not return to life as it was. We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to change the course of history. Yes, people need to get back to work, but we should do it in a way that results in a new greener future with clean energy and environmental protections in place so that people can be proud to celebrate the centennial of Earth Day fifty years from now.  

Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs and Creamy Tomato Sauce

Chicken Thighs with Creamy Tomato Sauce and Green Beans

Brown chicken and transfer to a slow cooker with remaining ingredients. At the end of the day, simply prepare your sides and enjoy a warm satisfying meal.

Ingredients

4 Tablespoons butter
6 chicken thighs with bone
1 Tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 Teaspoon garam masala
2 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
1 small onion chopped
1/2 cup heavy cream

Melt 3 Tablespoons butter in skillet and brown chicken on both sides. transfer to slow cooker. Coat with spices. Pour over 1 can of tomatoes and onion.  Cover and cook on low for 8 - 9 hours. Transfer sauce to a large pot on stove. Keep chicken warm. Add cream and 1 Tablespoon of melted butter to sauce and simmer 7 - 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Serve over rice. 

Hiking in the Squam Lakes Region

Bog on the Blue Trail descending East Rattlesnake

Depending on what state you reside, you are most likely under some order to stay in your home and limit social contact due to the threat of the coronavirus. These are trying times and the uncertainty of how long this self-quarantine will be can be distressing. Most Americans living today have never experienced conditions of a pandemic such as exists today with COVID-19 since it has been over  100 years since the last pandemic to impact the United States which was in 1918 when the flu killed over 20 million people world-wide. The restrictions being put into place today are designed to prevent such a devastating death toll.

For those of us that love the outdoors, being sequestered inside can feel like a prison. That is why, while it was still allowed, I headed north the past two weekends to the Squam Lakes region, which is filled with hiking trails for all ages and abilities.


Our first hike was supposed to be a loop over Mount Percival and then Mount Morgan. However, the Mount Percival parking area was closed, so we decided to hike up West and East Rattlesnake instead. (It was only afterwards that we realized that there is parking area directly across from the Rattlesnake  parking lot on Route 113 which I he trailhead for Mount Morgan and the winter parking area to Mount Percival!

Rattlesnake Mountain has one of the most rewarding family hiking trails in New Hampshire. In particular, the trail up West Rattlesnake is only about a mile and offers a most rewarding view over  Squam Lake. It is a steady climb, but is doable for most people. And, if you want some additional exercise, you can continue on to the East Rattlesnake summit, which we did.

View of Squam Lake from West Rattlesnake

We decided to return by a different way, but it did not take us back to the parking area, walk about a half mile on Route 113. After we were done, it was still early, so we decided to drive to the next exit north and hike Mount Prospect. 

Other than finding the trail head on Prospect Road, as there is no designated parking area or sign, the trail itself was easy to follow. We were fortunate that there was someone coming out of the woods at the same time we arrived, who confirmed that we were at the right spot. The hike was fairly easy at about three miles round-trip. Right before the top, there is a nice view of Squam Lake in the distance.

View along Mount Prospect Trail

This past weekend, we decided to drive back to Center Sandwich, to the correct parking area for  Mount Morgan and Mount Percival. The weather was again perfect for a hike.

Mount Morgan Trailhead

By the time we arrived around 9:30 AM, the parking area was almost full, a testament to people's desire to be outside and get some exercise. Unfortunately, as the weather has warmed, the past couple of weeks has seen overcrowding at state parks and beaches. This is creating a health and safety hazard. As many cars as there were, we encountered only a few people, and most were keeping the appropriate social distance.

Spring hiking can be a challenge since you can encounter a variety of conditions from snow, ice, mud and open water. There were many parts of the trail that were dry, but microspikes were still beneficial in certain areas that were icy. Snowshoes were definitely not needed due to the overall lack of snow this winter. After reaching the peak of Mount Morgan, we encountered another hiker who had ascended Percival first and told us that our spikes would not be needed on that descent. This was useful information, as taking traction on and off can be a pain.


On the trail we saw some needle ice. It is always cool to see and is not uncommon in early spring or late fall when the saturated soil temperature is above freezing, and the air temperatures is below 32 degrees. As water rises through the soil by capillary action, it freezes and then pushes itself through the surface forming beautiful needle-like crystals.  

Needle Ice

Before reaching the summit of Morgan, there is a split in the trail. To the left was an option of hiking up some ladders, entering some caves before a rock scramble to the top. We opted to bypass this approach, taking the Crawford-Ridgepole Trail.

The views from Mount Morgan were fantastic and there were plenty of space on the top to relax while eating lunch away from other people.

Open view atop Mount Morgan at 2220 feet

After a rest, we took the Crawford-Ridgepole trail across a ridge to Mount Percival. This trail is actually over eleven miles and passes by several mountain peaks within the Squam Range. The trail to Percival was icy and involved some rock scrambles. Interestingly, we observed numerous piles of moose droppings. I imagine moose climbing the mountain and standing at the top, enjoying the view just like we were doing.

Another interesting site was this lush green fern, surrounded by snow.

 
Although most ferns found in New Hampshire are deciduous, there are are a few that are evergreen. I did an internet search to try and identify it. I first checked out northernwoodlands.org, which listed three evergreen ferns in our area: the Marginal Wood Fern, Spinulose Wood Fern and the Christmas fern. However, according to my fern identification booklet contradicted this, stating that Spinulose ferns are not evergreen, but instead shed their leaves late in the season. I then went to one of my favorite bloggers site NHGardenSolutions. Here there were several postings showing the evergreen Rock Polypody fern (Polypodium virginianum). Since the fern above appears to be growing on a rock, I believe it is Polypodium virginianum. 

Eight feet shy of Mount Morgan, the view from atop Percival was also gorgeous.

View from Mount Percival

After a short rest, we began our descent. A word of caution, just as with the ascent to Mount Morgan, there are two trails up Mount Percival. Our first choice down almost proved disastrous. If we had ascended Percival first, we would have seen a sign that provides two options - on goes through caves and then ascends a steep ledge. The right option provides a more moderate climb to the summit. There was no sign at the top going down, so not knowing about the two options, we attempted to descend down the steep ledges. About halfway down it proved too challenging, so we had to reverse direction and climb back up the ledge, which was no picnic either. In the process, one of my poles, which were stored on my pack, caught on something and snapped in half, before disappearing down a crevice. A reminder, that anything can happen while hiking and not to take one's safety for granted. Whenever possible, read trip reports ahead of time to be better prepared. After returning home, I read this about the trail "Descending through these caves is quite challenging and requires several tight squeezes; you also have to descend very steep ledges before the caves."

Here is a view from our attempted descent down Mount Percival.

In spite of this misstep, the hike overall was great and I am so glad that we were able to get outside. Sadly, conditions and restrictions are changing daily as more public spaces are closing. The Covid-19 situation is serious and more and more people are being infected and hospitalized. Therefore it is important to follow government orders and guidelines, but it is also important for mental and physical health to stay active and get outdoors as much as possible and absorb the healing power of nature.

Great Backyard Bird Count 2020

Mourning Doves and Juncos during the Great Backyard Bird Count weekend.

The international Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) occurred over President's Weekend. We had beautiful weather in New Hampshire with some recent snow which encouraged a good number of birds to seek food at our feeders. The four day event began with my seeing a bald eagle on Friday during my lunch break. Although it was high in the sky, its white head and tail were clearly visible. It was a great inspiration for a weekend of birdwatching. I always enjoy the GBBC as it encourages me to pay extra attention and appreciate the variety of feathered visitors that stop in our yard. Here are  the species that I recorded.

The House Finch is a popular winter visitor bird feeders in New England, but I often overlook them except during this event.

House Finch

American Goldfinch love our thistle feeder in the summer. They used to fly south for the winter, but with milder winters, it has become a year-round resident. In the winter, its bright yellow feathers turn an olive grey. But the white-banded black wingers are still prominent.

American Goldfinch

Blue Jays seem to always make a lot of racket. Some years they are more plentiful than others, and for the past two years there have been fewer in our backyard. This weekend, I only saw two.

A stoic Blue Jay

We usually have one pair of cardinals as a year-round resident, but this winter two males and two females have been hanging around. They all seem to get along, so it will be interesting to see if they split apart into different territories once the breeding season begins.

Female Cardinal picking up loose seeds

Male Cardinal watches from above

The suet feeders were very popular with all sorts of birds. In addition to three kinds of woodpeckers, the blue jays, nuthatches and juncos all enjoyed the high protein snack.

Male Downy Woodpecker on the left and larger male Hairy Woodpecker on the right.

Whereas last year the Red-bellied Woodpeckers were absent, this year they returned. Although try as I might, I could not see any red on its belly.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Each year, one species stands out in numbers more than the others, and this year it was the juncos with thirteen counted at one time. They were always busy, flying from one feeder to the next, up in the trees and then down to the ground.

Dark-eyed Junco

In addition to the birds above, I also observed Wild Turkeys, Mourning Doves, Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmice and a White-breasted Nuthatch.

Finally, to add some variety to the weekend, a few grey and red squirrels appeared. Sometimes they were at the feeder, but they also spent a lot of time eating the remaining fruit from a Crabapple tree.

Squirrel eating a crabapple.

All in all it was a great weekend for bird and wildlife viewing. If you want to read about the specific results of the GBBC, visit their website at https://gbbc.birdcount.org/

Happy Groundhog Day and World Wetlands Day!

February 2nd is most commonly known as being Groundhog Day. After six weeks of winter, it gives me hope that longer days and warmer weather or on their way. This morning, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, in uncommon form, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, predicting an early Spring. Traditionally, Phil predicts six more weeks of winter, more often than not, however, in 2020, as in 2019 the Groundhog's proclamation, as read by his handler, is for an early Spring. Of course, with our changing climate, this may be the new normal. As for here in New Hampshire, it seems that we are still waiting for winter to arrive. As I look outside, I am staring at mostly bare ground with temperatures in the mid-thirties. The long range forecast is for above freezing temperatures during the day and longer nights. This probably means an early start to the Maple Sugar season, something that may make consumers happy, but the long-term implications of warmer weather in the Northeast is not good for the maple syrup industry as it depends on freezing temperatures at night.

Although Groundhog Day is a nice milestone to recognize, many people may not know that February 2nd also marks the anniversary day that the United Nations Convention on  Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat was adopted on the shores of the Caspian Sea. The convention acknowledged the following:

Recognizing the interdependence of man and his environment;

Considering the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands as regulators of water régimes and as habitats supporting a characteristic flora and fauna, especially waterfowl;

Being convinced that wetlands constitute a resource of great economic, cultural, scientific and recreational value, the loss of which would be irreparable;

Desiring to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future;

Recognizing that waterfowl in their seasonal migrations may transcend frontiers and so should be regarded as an international resource;

Being confident that the conservation of wetlands and their flora and fauna can be ensured by combining far-sighted national policies with co-ordinated international action; 

Understanding that the Convention's mission is "the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world" 171 parties have signed on to date. As a result of this commitment, 2,386 properties across the world have been designated as Wetlands of International Importance, including 39 in the United States. 

Wetlands provide habitat for a multitude of birds such as this Great Blue Heron

 Because of the global significance of wetlands and in recognition of the Convention, February 2nd is celebrated as World Wetlands Day. Although in winter, you may not even notice the wetlands in your neighborhood, in a few short weeks they will be teaming with life, from insects and plants, to amphibians and birds. As we hear more and more about the extinction of species world-wide, it is important to be aware of the role that wetlands play in providing wildlife habitat. Fittingly this year's World Wetland's Day theme is Wetlands and Biodiversity.