Snow Day 2010

American Goldfinch - Out in the Blizzard

What a great snow storm!  The only problem was my husband was out helping a friend.  So I was home alone.  I spent the day working on a puzzle and watching for birds braving the snow and wind.  My Goldfinches turned out to be quite hardy.   

American Goldfinch - Braving the Wind

Blizzard of 2010!

There is nothing like a guilt-free day!  Can't get out of the house and don't want to!  It is in the 20's with a sustained wind in the 30 mph range, with gusts up to 50 mph. 

This has been a difficult month for Birds of a Feather.  It has been so cold and we just have not gotten together to do any birding.  Pretty much the extent of our Bonding has been playing Scrabble over wifi.  I promise we will do some birding as soon as we can.


In the meantime, so you don't think that I've blown off the blog, I am posting some pictures of my backyard during the blizzard.  Most pictures are not that great due to the high wind and blowing snow.  These were the visitors to my yard.

If any other feathered friends come to the yard, I'll add them to the post.  Until next time, which hopefully won't be too long....




Cardinal

 

Downy Woodpecker



Junco in coconut half





 





House Sparrow

Mourning Dove

Blue Jay



White-Throated Sparrow





European Starling





Song Sparrow

 

Red-Bellied Woodpecker



Black-capped Chickadee

 

Alway's on my Mind

I may not be blogging as much as before, but it is always on my mind.  I am always aware of my surroundings as far as looking for opportunities for a bird sighting.  On my way home yesterday I took a shortcut down Maple Avenue.  The pond was packed with fowl, so I turned around to check things out.

I carry my camera most of the time now, because you never know what you might spot.  I was the only one there, so as soon as I parked the Mallards, Seagulls and Snow Geese came crowding around my car.

They were all so cute and docile.  As soon as the realized that all I brought with me was a camera, they soon lost interest.








They were surrounding me at one time and I have never seen a Mallard that close up.  What a marvel of creation.  I used to think how dull the female Mallard was, but she is beautiful as well when you can see the intricacies of color in her muted feathers.

So each and every day we need to be aware of the lives around us, flying above or walking around or even hiding in bushes.

Once all the wildlife saw that I did not come with any tidbits of day old bread, they all too soon lost interest in me.


So they waddle back to their foraging and swimming and just hanging out enjoying the sun on this very cold Autumn day.