Day 2 - A Walk at Jones Beach

First, a trip to Blick for a few minor things. Naturally, I ended up spending waaaaay more than I intended. But how can I pass up Neocolor crayons for 57¢ each?

Second, a stop at REI to pick up the three-legged folding seat w/back. Surprise! I had bonus points to spend, so it was free! Makes the Blick bill a bit easier to take.

I took a short walk around West End 2. The sun was low in the sky, the wind was blowing, but it wasn't too cold.
There were loons swimming around, tree swallows on the picnic benches, the usual herring and black-backed gulls, house finches, brants, sparrows of all sorts, chickadees, crows – and, just as I was getting back to the parking lot – a lone merlin sitting on top of one of the holiday light displays.

Worst picture of a merlin ever. But, trust me, it's a merlin.

And this is the watercolor painting I did when I got home of the path through the dunes to the fishing area. 

Jones Beach Path