Wordless Wednesday ~ Snow Bird
Tag Archives: winter
On a Warm February Evening
With temperatures in the mid 40’s today, our little herd seemed to be enjoying the mild winter. Browsing is easier this year without the snow, though that didn’t stop them from visiting the feeders again. They’ve really taken a liking to sunflower seed and empty the little screen tray every time I fill it.
They make the rounds every morning and evening, like clockwork, visiting my yard and all the neighbors with feeders, in the same order. You could almost set your watch by them!
Yeah, I hate to say it, but I’ve become attached to our neighborhood deer (sorry Sissy!).
Everybody ate all the seed ma!
what was that?
looking for seed
can we eat it?
Mama
time to go
More Snow ~ Trying to keep the Critters Fed
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| house finches, lady cardinal and junco |
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| snow covered squirrel |
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| typical position for a nuthatch |
Snow Blue Jay
I finally had a bluejay stick around long enough for me to get a few good pictures. Usually they are a grab and dash kind of bird.
Out the Kitchen Window….
Evening Invasion
My herd of deer passed through the corner of my yard last night, browsing for something to eat. They looked so cold (Temps below 0* tonight), I actually felt sorry for them (sorry Sissy!).
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| “You can’t see me when I duck behind this snow bank!” |
Guess what we got more of….
Welcome February 1st. Welcome Winter storm Maximus, welcome 12+ more inches of the white stuff! Lets hope the ground hog doesn’t see his shadow tomorrow!
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| the Wren’s house |
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| snow covered white pines and spruces |
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| my favorite antique ceramic feeder decorated with bat chime |
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| Douglas fir on our corner |
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| Even Morton, our neighbor’s dog, looks unhappy about the extra snow! |
Dear Winter…
Dear winter, you tire me so,
Though lovely and white,
I wish you’d go.
My camera if full of fluffy snow flakes,
How I long to see flowers,
and design my new garden gate.
No worries, the weatherman predicted,
This next little storm is only a clipper,
Just one to three inches of new snow is expected.
Another ten inches and still snowing hard!
That’s it! I’ve had it!
I want my green yard!
L D
How Cold is It?
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!
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| Did you know the American Tree Sparrow only spends the winter in northern Illinois? source |
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| Goldfinch, winter plumage |
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| goldfinches, winter plumage. See the yellow chin and wing bands? |
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| “Somebody bring back Spring!” |
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| American Tree Sparrow as ‘puffed out’ as he can get while keeping both feet warm |
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| Downy Woodpecker, looking extra downy today… |
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| 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!
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| Junco keeping one foot warm |
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| same for the American Tree Sparrow |
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Everyone from Lil’s Garden!
Lil's Garden Tour 