Happy New Year (We’re Back)
Happy New Year, dear much-missed readers!
We’re posting again for the first time since last spring when we watched a White-throated sparrow dig up the park. Eight months is a long time to go dark, but we needed to focus on other work.
A hidden nest from last spring is easily spotted through winter’s bare branches.
We missed our readers, and we want to thank all of you for supporting Out Walking the Dog. We especially want to thank those of you, friends and strangers alike, who got in touch over the past months to say, “What’s going on? Where’s Out Walking the Dog?”
Well, we’re back!
The dog looks a little rumpled after the dissipations of New Year’s Eve.
Actually, we’ve been here all along, the dog and I, smack dab in the middle of the city surrounded by the usual urban wildlife suspects. We just haven’t been able to write to you about it.
In 2015, you can expect more tales of hawks, kestrels, raccoons, chipmunks, turtles, squirrels, coyotes, and so much more. Including rats, of course. More about those little urban devils soon, after I attend a local session of NYC’s “Rat Academy.”
On New Year’s Eve, the dog and I went looking for raccoons in Riverside Park. No creatures revealed themselves, although they were there unseen, sleeping, hunting, eating, grooming, and watching. The empty park was strangely quiet and the great stone stairs mysterious.
Out of one world and into the next.
Later we walked to Central Park to watch fireworks and cheer the runners of the annual midnight race.
Moving forward into a new year.
May the year bring peace and fulfillment, creativity and joy.
Out walking the dog 
January 6, 2015 at 5:16 pm
Just discovered your series and am enjoying all the back posts very much. I live in rural NH because of all the opportunities to see nature at work but glad to know there are equally amazing things to be seen in the Big Apple. And thanks for putting me on to Kelly Rypkema. Her video minutes are wonderful. I hope she has time to continue with them in her new job.
As a fellow nature-lover you may enjoy some of the posts on my blog at Cereflections.com Start with the one titled Jaguars vs. Tigers -Equal Pay for Equal Work.
January 13, 2015 at 9:57 am
Thanks very much, Peter. And glad you enjoy Kelly’s work – I am certainly a fan. I’ll have to check in with her soon and report back. I checked out your blog – I loved your idea of having Cartier (and other such companies) pay for its use of a jaguar image by donating Big Bucks to environmental causes.
January 2, 2015 at 6:50 pm
Yay!!
January 4, 2015 at 7:22 pm
Nice!
January 2, 2015 at 5:13 pm
Glad to see you and your cute litte dog both back!
January 4, 2015 at 7:22 pm
Thanks, Laurel, from me and the cute little dog.
January 2, 2015 at 3:02 pm
Great to see you back. Have a great 2015 – both of you :)
January 4, 2015 at 7:22 pm
I wish you a wonderful year, too, and look forward to keeping up with your posts.
January 2, 2015 at 1:55 am
Welcome back! Looking forward to your new posts in 2015
January 4, 2015 at 7:21 pm
Thank you for being such a loyal reader!
January 2, 2015 at 1:37 am
I’m back in New York after several years away. One of the first things I noticed after returning is that there appeared to be a noticeable increase in rats. Personally, I love all animals and have no disgust over them, although I understand the need to keep the populations under control. On one of my regular walks through Central Park I often pause to watch a little rat family.
Welcome back.
January 4, 2015 at 7:21 pm
I actually find rats to be fascinating animals. I’m not happy about their presence in the city – my block is overrun! – but we humans have created the problem and can manage solutions. As with most “pest” issues, that will mean chaging the eay we deal with our trash. the problem and solution are up to us humans. The human-wildlife interface at its least glamorous and most gritty!
January 1, 2015 at 5:31 pm
I missed your wonderful posts! Happy New Year – and to all! Sweenya
January 1, 2015 at 9:59 pm
Thanks, Rena, and happy new year to you, too!
January 1, 2015 at 5:22 pm
All is finally right in the world again
January 1, 2015 at 9:58 pm
Aw, thank you. Would that were true!
January 1, 2015 at 4:58 pm
We’re so glad your elegant writing is back. You’ve been missed. I’d like to think all the wonderful animals you cover are passing the word around to one another and sending out a big hooray all over town.
January 1, 2015 at 9:58 pm
They’ve probably been all too happy to have a break from the paparazzi.
January 1, 2015 at 4:42 pm
Great to see you back! You have been missed.
January 1, 2015 at 9:57 pm
Thank you, Sarah.
January 1, 2015 at 4:07 pm
It’s good to see you back :)
January 1, 2015 at 4:20 pm
Thanks, Nature on the Edge! I’m happy to be back, and looking forward to keeping up with your blog as well.