3-8
Winter stoneflies (perhaps one or more of the 38 Allocapnia species?) are hatching in huge numbers, peppering snow covered rocks in and near the West River. Many that I photographed seemed to have short nonfunctional wings. Most were creeping doggedly away from the water.
Many stonefly species hatch in late winter and early spring. some are known to remain active down to 20 degrees F.
At this time of year crows spend lots of time foraging on the rocks and ledges in midstream, and I suspect that they are feeding on these hatches.
I also believe that early arriving insectivorous birds such as phoebes, when caught in spring nor'easters, are able to survive because of this cold weather bounty.
John