In the winter, the bark of the giant cottonwoods and elms look black. Newcomers mistake it for burnt, but the old trees along the park trail lean haphazardly, sleeping as fat squirrels play in the branches, the inner bark alive, in quiet rest as the winter continues.

We laughed at one such squirrel, so precariously balanced upon a sliver of a stem of branch, dangling in the wind, eating soft buds that are forming early. The sky was grey yesterday on New Year’s Day as we walked, the air was just faintly warm. The grey sky and dark, bare branches gave a movie-like light that made everything seem to be in black and white.

We pulled out binoculars to gaze at a fluffy Red Tailed Hawk perched high up watching the world, the breeze ruffling her gorgeous feathers. The bird app on my phone found a bird not common around this area, Bushtits. We laughed juvenilely at the name then stared in a trance at dozens of the tiny things bursting through branches in lively dance, flitting from here to there, so quick we could not catch them in the binoculars. Their small grey bodies blending into the black and white scene, their song so joyful for the new day of a new year. My love warm at my side as we counted birds and walked silently through paths of golden weeds and far off trees and the sound of the river and Canada Geese squawking overhead.

It has been quite a long time since we both had a shared hobby. We both love birds and hiking, and so we decided to attempt to make this a habit. We will try and visit every Colorado State Park this year. We will see how many birds we can find, identify, record on the app, see through binoculars, and be inspired by. Doug with the lens of his camera, I with paints and paper and words.

‘Twas a beautiful and relaxing New Year’s Day. I wish all of you out there a joyful new year filled with all things that inspire you and make you fall in love with the world and your life.