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!
When did the Weather people start naming the winter storms? We had Q (literally) and now Saturn… what were the others? Did I miss the memo?
Anyway, here we are in March already and Northern Illinois woke up to more snow this morning! I know we need the moisture but I’d love to see some spring daffodils instead. I’ve got the itch to start my new garden!
And from the amount of birds I have at my feeders today, I’d say they are ready for spring too!
Lil's Garden Tour 