Snow Birds

Our snowfall turned to sleet early yesterday morning. The sharp gritty noise it made on the bedroom window woke me just before first light. It continued much of the day making the hoped-for fluffy, sticky stuff, change into blowing drifts and then a hard crust. The landscape was transformed. We were unable to open the back door as the hard snow was piled against it - DH had to go around with his snow shovel (a relic from our Northern years!) and dig us out! The bitter cold will continue for several days. Our birds arrived at dawn. The feeder birds assisted in scattering seed for the ground feeders, all were eating well. It's on days like this DH and I feel money for seed was well spent. The birds are grateful for a meal to keep them warm and their body weight correct enabling them to fly.

Tufted Titmouse ~ year-round feeder visitor.

Male Northern Cardinal ~ often at the feeders for oil-type sunflower seeds.

Female Northern Cardinal.

Brown Thrasher

When you look out the window and see this big 'ole guy staring you down, not scared, not even shy and retiring, just be thankful he has graced you with his presence. He liked having his photo taken, many times, and then decided to sit on a pile of old books under the potting bench.

Brown Thrasher ~ usually only comes to feeders in severe Winter weather.

Song Sparrow ~ rarely visits seed feeders.

Male Rufous-sided Towhee - always bouncing along and visits feeders.

Black-capped Chickadee ~ at the feeders as long as seed is offered.

.......and yes, he and his family were out there in the snow very early, gobbling the dropped birdseed of course!

Here's a list of birds who visited the garden yesterday. I wasn't able to catch them all with the camera - guess they move even faster in the bitter cold to help stay warm!

Song Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

Mourning Dove

Towhee

Titmouse

Chickadee

Dark-eyed Junco

Brown Thrasher

House Finch

Carolina Wren

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Blue Jay