A Winter's Tale

A few mornings ago, after the deep freeze arrived here in central North Carolina, I found myself wide awake at 5 AM. After switching on the coffee pot and opening the blinds, I saw the huge white moon still hanging in the darkened sky to the West. Pulling my fleece robe tight around me, and slipping into thick socks, I stepped outside on the porch with a camera and took some shots, this one being the best. A frigid but beautiful clear morning.

Black-capped Chickadee

I sat at the computer for a while and, after the sun came up, it wasn't long before several chickadees and a lone titmouse flew onto the frozen fountain in search of a morning drink. Knowing the temps. were stuck below freezing for the coming days and water would remain solid ice, I boiled a tea kettle and poured on the hot water........for at least on hour or so the birds could drink.

Despite the biting cold, our skies are cloudless and sunny. I love this weather so much. This afternoon I looked skyward at a group of crows chasing a red-tailed hawk across the expanse of brilliant Carolina blue...............but this may change, tonight we may have snow.