 |
| APOD, 17 Nov 10, Masahiro Miyasaka |
We just passed through some of the most difficult weather I can remember, with the north wind howling all evening and night down the Fraser Valley from British Columbia. Last night Bellingham had a gust of 58 mph, but the wind blew constantly at anywhere from 30 to 40 mph, with temperatures hovering in the high teens (-8 C) all night long. I wonder where the birds hang out when it's like that. Certainly they must hide in thick bushes to help protect them from the worst of it. I woke at first light to put out fresh food and broke the ice off the bird bath. I poured hot water in it, which was immediately cold and inserted my trusty birdbath heater. I bought the heater last year during the cold weather and wrote a post about it here.
I was so pleased to find that 16 degrees F and -2 wind chill was not enough to keep my birdies down! They showed up as usual, eating and drinking much more than normal, and they brought all their friends along, too. I spread food exceptionally liberally, not begrudging anyone (including the sparrows) their morning repast. If the squirrels had shown up (which they haven't yet), I would be happy to see them drinking and eating, too. The front porch has been a constant congregation of birds: two kinds of juncos, house sparrows, song sparrows, spotted towhees, chickadees, woodpeckers, flickers, and, of course, my dear goldfinches. Here are a few of them lined up waiting their turn at the feeders:
 |
| Click to see their pretty faces up close |
:-)
shivers...sure is cold there....that is a gorgeous picture though...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your chilly morning with us. That photo is indeed a beauty and I'll bet it makes a wonderful desktop image. I also love your birdie shot. Of course they'll come all winter.. who wouldn't want to visit you? :)
ReplyDeleteWow! I absolutely love that top photo! Amazing image.
ReplyDeleteYou make me want a bird feeder so bad but no where in this house am I able to view one unless I make a special effort to walk to a window or door. I want a feeder outside a window that I can watch during the day. How do you deal with wet bird seed all winter?
ReplyDeleteI have had many birds at our feeder too... I won't need to put water out for them as the river is still open. So far we have had Goldfinch, Blue Jay, Cardinal, Downy Woodpecker, Chickadees, Nuthatch and Red Squirrels. ( I could live without the squirrels, although they are pretty.) There is always a flurry of activity, and they sure go through seed fast!!!
ReplyDeleteI think the birds are just too cool. We're not having much luck attracting or feeding them here, much to our regret. You can have the snow and cold, thank you anyway.
ReplyDeleteFantastic photo. The cold doesn't appeal to me in the least, but I always wonder where the birds do in the winter. I also wonder where they hide during hurricanes.
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful birds! I heard about your cold winter weather on our news..you had it worse than even us in the U.P. of Michigan...but it is supposed to be heading our way on Thanksgiving....and so winter begins!!
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful photograph!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know the goldfinches stuck around all winter here. I only see them in spring/summer. You have a lovely abundance of them!
This is so beautiful! I love all the happy birds.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if I need to pack a coat for my trip-is winter coming to the South?
The Orion photo is spectacular, and your birds are so pretty! I haven't thought about adding a water feature, but I imagine the birds would like it. Will do a little research!
ReplyDeleteThis was a splendid post, Jan. You are such a sensitive soul. The birds are fortunate to have you as their friend. And, yes, the top photo is very beautiful. My camera couldn't possibly capture such a sky.
ReplyDeleteBrrrr! I actually miss being able to bundle up sometimes. Until, of course, Florida has unusually cold weather. There's something not so great about cold in a humid place. I like the dry, cold air of the north.
ReplyDeleteLooks like those birds are really glad you moved there.
It's an awesome photo. Would love to have a bird feeder and bath. Unfortunately, Maggie takes exception to any and everything, even that which flies over the yard. :D Your weather sounds pretty ugly.
ReplyDeleteShiver me timbers and blow me plumb off the hay wagon that's cold baby!!!
ReplyDeleteYa'll huddle down and stay cozy. Have a wonderfully blessed Thanksgiving sweetie!!!
Happy Thanksgiving! It sounds like Thanksgiving came early for the birds visiting your deck..great photo! :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous. I love Orion too, mostly because he's so recognizable. Although I always wondered if that part coming down from his belt was really his sword, or that was just what Daddy told me.
ReplyDeleteHappy thanks giving D-Jan! Great to see the birds doing so well.That is real cold...I actually like cold,we too are in our woollens here.Enjoy the day.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed star gazing the past several months. These astronomy photos are indeed beautiful. Happy Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteI guess I don't like the wind as much as I like the rain. We need lots of rain to make up for a dry summer. i liked the bird photo. It reminds me of some scenes around here.
ReplyDeleteYikes, I don't feel quite as cold with it a balmy 42 with WC... My one legged sparrow drinks a lot more in the colder months, even though she is inside where it is a positively sweltering 61 degrees...
ReplyDeleteLove the astronomy pic, I've put that site on my faves, it's great.
Happy Thanksgiving :}
Joni
Wow, what a gorgeous photo. Your little birds are so sweet.
ReplyDeleteI heard about your winds, glad you didn't lose power. Does your complex not have any emergency generators?
Stay warm.