Sunny, low 40s and
calm
We were down in Rockland
County checking out the riverfront at Piermont and then birding the uplands at
Tallman State Park several miles south.
While we did not find an overabundance of birdlife, we did find much
more in the evidence left behind by Superstorm Sandy.
Driving out to the end of the pier
at Piermont, we carefully scouted out the exposed pilings and rocks for any and
all gulls in hopes of the still elusive Iceland….I just hate defeat. The tide was high, so there was little
exposure of the sand bars and beaches.
On the pilings, we did find a few gulls and several Double-crested
cormorants. 
Most of the gulls were far out
in the water, but with the scope, you could easily see the black
primaries. Black primaries are not
good when you are hoping to find a “white-winged” variety. The most impressive sight on the road
out to the pier was a large sailboat which Sandy had deposited on the roadside. Even after all these weeks, the devastation
is still seen throughout the southern part of our state.
Still more evidence of the
storm was found higher up on the hillsides at Tallman State Park. Huge trees were snapped off like tooth
picks and others were uprooted exposing their massive root systems.
The soil here in Rockland County is
shallow and lies upon solid bedrock, hence the name “rock land”. Still, many of these trees have been
here for over a hundred years and have never been tested like they were during
this storm. You have to admit,
this would not have been a good day for a picnic looking at this scene.
The most active wildlife was the
squirrels filling their larders in preparation for the onset of winter. Our grandkids are praying for a white
Christmas, but I think these little gray rodents would be just as happy if the
weather remained as mild and calm as it was today. One thing is for sure, none of us want to see the
likes of Sandy anywhere near New York State for years to come.
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