Here is it January of 2015 already. Where did the year go?
Actually I’m glad to see last year go. It started out okay but ended pretty lousy. I was hollering for a do over towards the end there, but now I’ll just opt for a fresh start.
Now here we are, a fresh snow and good ole bitter cold to go with it. For a little while there I thought Mother Nature was going to take it easy on us this winter. I was enjoying the temps in 40’s, especially over Christmas- but alas, we do live in Illinois!
Morning after last night’s storm- about 6 inches of powder snow
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!
Lil's Garden Tour 