Thankful for the Birds

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.....

Solstice Birdwatching

There were a great number of birds at the feeders today -distracting me from my tasks -I baked crescent rolls, cinnamon buns and created centerpieces -but I kept trying to take pictures of the birds through the windows. It snowed heavily all day but has almost stopped now -more shoveling!!! First picture there are Juncos, Goldfinches and Purple Finches.
Goldfinch and a female Cardinal lower left corner (blurry)

Male Cardinal


Female Cardinal

There were several female and several male cardinals together which is typical until spring -(family group???) The male is very flashy but the female is stunning in her colouration. My dad and I used to call each other all the time in the winter to brag how many Cardinals we could see at the feeders or outside in the trees. I miss that.....when the Cardinals start whistling in late Feb./early March -better weather is only about 3 weeks away. I know the habits of many birds so well that they have become indicators of seasonal/daily events. Blessings to all on this Solstice day -darkness has fallen as I post for the third time today....

Florida Bound

Booked tickets for Florida for JJ and myself last night -it is a surprise for his birthday next week -we've been debating it for several weeks now, and since I've been feeling blue all week (SAD seems to kick in earlier every year) I needed something to look forward to and a birthday gift - we don't go till March, but knowing we're going somewhere I love, helps me get through the months of cold and darkness ahead. We're lucky that JJ's sister has a beautiful winter home in Matlacha, that we can stay at. Last year there 11 of us (all family) - it was a tad crowded but great fun with the 4 little kids. We'll be there alone this year -which is nice too. Matlacha is a small, fishing /artist village off the coast of Fort Myers Florida. There are dozens of art galleries, studios, great fresh seafood, great bargain shopping, great little bars with great local bands - I don't drink but it is fun to go out and mix with the natives and listen to the music, beaches, wildlife and birds -did I mention I love bird watching and photographing birds??? This is one of a pair of wood storks that have a huge nest on top of a monkey puzzle tree on the corner of the property.

Backyard shot of the pool, seawall and some mangrove islands off to the west of the house. We can kayak everyday to see nesting sites in the mangroves, watch the dolphins swim by everyday at high tide, see great sunsets and fish off the seawall - although I hate cleaning them -it is easier to walk to the fish market every night.

The house is typical of southwest Florida - on a large property with lots of palm trees, sea grape and other exotics (to me anyway) on a point of land surrounded by water on 2 sides - no close neighbours......it makes me so happy just thinking about it.....want to go back to the everglades again this year -to see the gators of course!!

Redheads Have All The Fun

Pileated Woodpeckers used to be rare in this part of Ontario, but we've had several nesting pairs in the area for several years now. Beautiful, easy to spot due to the racket they make, their large size (40-45cm/14-16in)and distinctive call, but very destructive to the large trees that they fill with their holes. I love to watch them hop backwards down trees -Nellie and I followed this guy (the males have that red line from beak to throat) from tree to tree in the nearby park this afternoon -I forgot all about how cold and gray it is today!