Image Up Advertising & Design

Change is in the air. Even here in Beaumont, where the weather is mild, we are finally out from under the heat of summer and enjoying the crispness of fall and the winter ahead. Some trees are dressed in a splash of yellow and red, and fallen leaves dot the trails. The birds around us won't be reaching for a sweatshirt or putting up holiday decorations, so what will shift in their lives? For some of the year-round regulars, life will look pretty much the same with a few modifications. The Great Horned Owls, Spotted Towhees, Finches, Phoebes, ravens and crows, and hummingbirds will adjust by seeking warmer branches to shelter in and adapt their schedules to the longer nights and shorter days. They will also share their environment with some migrants who f ly through, like Warblers and Flycatchers. Some birds, like American Robins, White-crowned Sparrows, and Cedar Waxwings, will spend the winter here. And some, like the Bell's Vireo and the Red-winged Blackbirds, will be away on vacation until next spring. Here is the impressive list of regular sightings and winter guests from our November outing: a female Mallard, American Crows, Anna's Hummingbird, Black Phoebes, Bushtits, California and Spotted Towhees, Common Ravens, a Cooper's Hawk, a Costa's Hummingbird, a Great Egret, some House Finches and Lesser Goldfinches, a Mountain Chickadee, a Nuttall's Woodpecker, a Song Sparrow, and a White-crowned Sparrow. There may also be changes in 2025 for the Four Seasons Birding Club, so keep your eye on the Breeze for further information. ~ Kathy Hull, (914) 953-7288 Our Book Club selection for Dec. 10 is e Women, by Kristin Hannah. Here is a brief description from Amazon.com: "Women can be heroes. When 20-year-old nursing student Frances 'Frankie' McGrath hears these words, it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path. As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. Each day is a gamble of life and death, hope and betrayal; friendships run deep and can be shattered in an instant. In war, she meets — and becomes one of — the lucky, the brave, the broken, and the lost. But war is just the beginning for Frankie and her veteran friends. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protesters, and to a country that wants to forget Vietnam. e Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm's way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, e Women is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era." Our meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 9:30 am in the RCN Room #3. All of our book selections are recommended by book club members. Someone volunteers to lead the discussion about the book we have chosen for the month. For more information about the Four Seasons Book Club or to get your name on our mailing list, please contact me at michelesrosen@gmail.com. ~ Micki Rosen FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | DECEMBER 2024 41 Birding CLUB Book Club Nuttall's Woodpecker at Four Seasons Photo by Linda Miller Allen's Hummingbird at Four Seasons Photo by Gerrie Karczynski White-crowned Sparrow at Four Seasons Photo by Gerrie Karczynski

• Cover