A BANNER JANUARY MORNING IN THE HUDSON VALLEY

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship--in short, Everything Croton.

Croton may have not gotten walloped with snow like other nearby states this weekend, but it was still windy and brisk this morning at assorted points along the river...click on the photos and links.

But first, some coffee.  If you haven't heard, NEW AT DUNKIN' DONUTS--right here in Croton---GIRL SCOUT COOKIE INSPIRED FLAVORED COFFEES! THIN MINTS! TRES SHORTBREAD! COCONUT CARAMEL! 

They're all good but this was a THIN MINTS morning.

Sufficiently fortified, it was off to the Croton Estuary and Boat Launch.  Blue skies, just enough ice, assorted gulls, geese, and off in the distance, a small gathering of merganser ducks.

Eagle season in the Hudson Valley has begun in earnest and we were soon off to our favorite haunts in Verplanck (click on the photo) and George's Island.   

We were rewarded with five in the treeline, all immature, at G.I., four over the village parking lot earlier, and two--a mature and immature--on the shores of Lake Meahagh in Verplanck.

For more about Eagle Watch 2019, the upcoming Eaglefest, photos from past events, news and more, click here. 

p.s. We were surprised to see so many Great Blue Herons still around in Verplanck but a friend reminded us that as long as they can find open shallows to hunt, they will remain in the area.

For those who want to know more about these birds, click here.

Next up a quick stop at Travis Cove in Peekskill where we were rewarded with a sighting of two ospreys. For more about this great walking trail, fabulous in any weather, click here. 

Of course, man does not live by bird watching alone--and there were a few errands that needed doing including a stop in Buchanan Hardware--here are their new winter hours.  This is an old-fashioned hardware store that is quite well stocked and especially handy in those seasonal emergencies.

Then off to Avellino's in Montrose for lunch...home of the best POTATO CROQUETTES, a very spicey, generous and tasty BUFFALO CHICKEN ROLL, fabulous pizza, and the kind of soups that could grow back a limb! For more about Avellino's, click here.

ALL AND ALL, a great morning in the Hudson Valley.