Lending A Hand To Avian Friends We have been hit by a brutally cold winter since Christmas that has become much worse in the last couple of days. Yesterday and today the temperature hovering in the single digits, Fahrenheit, during the day and dropping down below 0°F at night. This number does not take windchill into account which would drop it into negative double digits. This … Continue reading A Brutally Cold Week
And Enjoying Bird Watching Snow is still on the ground, a residue of the snowfall a few days ago. It’s very peaceful watching snow falling and the quietness afterward as the snow absorbs sound pretty well. Though it was too cold to go outside, a joyful moment was still there. We hang bird feeders along the patio roof during winter which makes it much easier … Continue reading House Bound
Enjoying The Hospitality Winter temperature has finally matched the season and there is not much of anything out there. Snow has not yet paid a visit. The birds have picked most of the seeds off the buds I left in intact for them: Echinacea, Black-eyed Susan, Goldenrod… So now they enjoy the additional food we put out for them. On cold days they can enjoy a heated birdbath too. We … Continue reading Birds of Winter
And Snow, Right On Schedule Today is the official first day of winter and it has been snowing lightly on and off all day. It’s very peaceful and quiet outside, the only sound the birds singing. The birds are the only bright colors in the garden at this time and without them it’s a plain brown and gray everywhere we look. We couldn’t fill the feeders … Continue reading First Day Of Winter
Unofficial Observation I’ve been thinking about joining the Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) every year but never did. Though I have good intentions, if I’m not sure I can fully commit I would rather not do it. This year is the 114th of the Christmas Bird Count which is taking place from December 14, 2013 to January 5, 2014. I envy those who brave the … Continue reading Christmas Bird Count
After Nature Had Her Way I always love that period right after a rain or heavy storm, provided I don’t have to vacuum water out from our basement. The sky is clear and the air is clean; I can smell the freshness in it. It’s a very distinctive scent of life renewed. Plants shake off the shower that washed away dust and dirt from their … Continue reading Hurricane (continued)
Bill’s Favorite Bird I have always wondered why nature created this bird the way it is, for what purpose. It can literately walk up and down the tree trunk and perch in the upside down position comfortably. I’m talking about the Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis). The upside down part seems to be the most comfortable position for them. Once we saw a Nuthatch spin round … Continue reading Nuthatch
Petals and Wings 