I almost didn't recognize this Song Sparrow today, as he was so puffed out to trap a layer of insulating air between his feathers. Most Song Sparrows fly farther south to winter but there are always a few that hang around.
The Black Capped Chickadee is one of my favourites. I am enduring the cold near the feeders each day to hopefully tame them enough to eat out of my hand -it is so thrilling when they accept you to do that. Black oil sunflower seeds are their favourite. I will make up some bird balls for extra treats as the weatherman says the temperatures are going to drop into the -30's C this week. We have 4 feeders, but this year this is the one they prefer. The Goldfinches of course prefer the Niger seed.
I was startled by a little Goldfinch that flew up from below my back door as I arrived home today -unusual ... then I looked down to see what had attracted him so close to the house and saw this perfect imprint in the snow.....I felt badly for the poor fellow as I realized he had likely flown into the 3/4 glass door by mistake....but happy that he had recovered enough to fly away leaving only his imprint and 1 tiny little feather.
The ducks are still hanging around the open water spots on the river. I love to see them but fear for them. A few people I know put corn out along their shorelines for feed, but I think they should fly to warmer climates where they can find food naturally. The birds I feed can and do forage on their own quite nicely -I just make it easier and do it for the selfish reason of wanting them close so I can watch their bird antics. They make me smile and give me something to talk about with all the others who also like to seek out and watch birds.....
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