Madison, WI

Started walk at 6:20 a.m.

A light snow from last night dusted the paths. Like yesterday, the sky was still overcast so the liklihood of seeing a sunrise was minimal. Had there been a sunrise it would have been at 7:26 a.m. (the same time as on the Solstice). The weather seemed warmer so I walked without gloves for most of the trip. No cigar this morning.

OK coffee -- Costa Rican. Cranberry muffin -- passable .

On the return trip, I spotted a crane sitting on a log between the lake and the backwater cove. I attempted to sneak up on the bird and take its photo. However, my companion is not skilled in walking quietly and my prey flew away. Earlier, I heard an owl hooting in the woods. I wondered whether this was the same owl that I saw the week before. At the time, he or she was flying away from its tree perch and was being taunted by two black crows. Today, however, I did not get a chance to put a visual with the hoot.