It’s so cold the birds have turned into fluffy little cotton balls!
Temps were around -15 today and that didn’t include the windchill!
Did you know the American Tree Sparrow only spends the winter in northern Illinois? source
Goldfinch, winter plumage
goldfinches, winter plumage. See the yellow chin and wing bands?
“Somebody bring back Spring!”
American Tree Sparrow as ‘puffed out’ as he can get while keeping both feet warm
Downy Woodpecker, looking extra downy today…
Blue Jay was more interested in the squirrel’s corn across the yard
One thing I did notice was that the smaller birds on the ground were all hopping around a little strange. Kind of flopping a bit while they moved from one place to another and using their wings as balance in the snow as they hopped, while propping themselves up.
After watching them for a minute, I realized they were hopping around on one foot, holding the other one up in their feathers to keep warm. They would alternate feet every few hops, then sit down when they found the seed they wanted to eat, keeping both feet warm.
Hang on little guys! Only another 2 months and spring will be here again!
The calendar says it’s spring. The weatherman keeps saying it’s spring. There are robins and turkey buzzards everywhere… so why did I freeze my butt off setting up the garden center today? I don’t think it made it over 23 degrees today- and let’s not even mention the windchill! And to think this time last year it was 80 degrees! Okay Mother Nature, we get it. You are a master prankster. The best of the best! Now can we Please have our usual Spring?
While we are waiting, here’s a pretty Peony blossom from my old garden, in Warm Weather…
Lil's Garden Tour 