02.18.2025 A Flurry of Activity after a Winter Storm

 Winter snowstorms come in many varieties. There is the one with just a few flurries and then it is done.  There are those storms with feet of snow, no school for days and maybe no power either! But this last snowstorm was a mix of the worst conditions. I don't mind shoveling snow - it actually is quite therapeutic. No one outside to bother you, just peace and quiet with the exception of the shovel scraping the driveway. 

But this last storm left us with almost 10 inches of snow, then it started to rain, then freezing rain, then more snow and freezing rain. I started shoveling early but I could only clear the snow done to the ice from the last storm. Now we have ice on top of ice, some of the gates are frozen shut and the main gate does not close, and one must walk very carefully in the driveway and on the sidewalk. I used all of my ice melt and it doesn't seem to make that much of a difference. Was able to clear some of the sidewalk and after much effect managed to get the double gate closed - with rope! Cannot wait until the next storm this week!

On the bright side of a winter storm is the flurry of activity at the bird feeders. Three was a flock of male and female bluebirds, my winter favorite dark-eyed juncos, black capped chickadees, my little all time favorite Carolina wren, cardinals, tufted titmouse, white throated sparrow, white breast nuthatch, hairy woodpeckers, blue jays and our little red squirrels. They shared the feeders with constant activity. Most of them are very timid, so even opening the door startles them and they fly away. And most of them do not like cameras. So I had to carefully open the kitchen door and stay as still as possible with the camera lens in a very small opening. It was cold, but not too bad. I love watching them but also really wanted to see if I could get any nice photographs.

Here are a few photographs showing a variety of birds. 

      

A bluebird and a female cardinal share a perch in the freezing rain.

Goldfinch and house finch share the globe feeder.

 

More bluebirds.

   

Hairy woodpecker.

 

Dark eyed junco. The eye is really hard to see as it blends with its black coat. Back, front and side views! They do not hold still for very long!

A little Carolina wren. They nest on the Christmas wreath and we found nests between the gutters and the house! Looks like they will be here for the Spring!

A bit blurred as she would not hold still, but this is the white throated sparrow. They are a bit shy.

A tufted titmouse. 

Male house finch.  They also nest around the house.  Beautiful little birds. He has a sunflower seed in his bill.

A black-capped chickadee shares the globe feeder with a house finch.

Chickadee at the suet feeder.

The birds are not very territorial right now. It is cold and they seem to allow birds from different species to feed. But in the Spring during breeding season, we don't observe sharing like this. Generally, it is one at a time - quick grab a seed then out of the feeder. 

I had noticed that some days the feeder is empty almost as soon as I fill it. Then I found out why! The little red squirrel could squeeze into the globe - you can see how small the space is from some of the pictures. I found him sitting inside chomping away on the sunflower seed. His little cheeks were as full as they can be. As soon as I opened the door I saw how he got there as he tried to escape. He squeezed out of the globe, jumped onto the baffle that is supposed to keep him from climbing up to the feeder, then he jumped onto the dumpster, scampered along the edge and jumped over the fence to the garden. Clever little one. He has a lot of practice running fast since the dogs bark at him when they see him feeding at the bottom of the feeder. He usually picks up what the birds drop but now he has figured out how to enjoy a feast! No pictures, sorry - I was too captivated to watch him and there just was no time to get the camera.

For most of the winter the boys did not need their puffer vests. But because it was so cold I got them all dressed. First they assess the steps - I can almost hear them discussing strategy!

Fionnegan jumps off the porch first. He is having a good time!

Gunnarr is right behind him. 

It would not be snow without a chase!

Shorty was a bit late to the party but once down the steps he had fun.

Shorty is getting old so I let him just take his time.

Gunnarr was having a good time!

No outing would be complete without a group photograph.

There were sent back into the house to warm up and I needed to shovel. I don't let them in outside when the gates are open - learned the hard way that Shorty is very stealth!

Shorty in his green puffer vest. Goes well with his natural coat color.

Fionnegan is always in blue.

And Gunnarr is in a red puffer vest. They do not mind getting dressed.

How did you weather the winter storm? Any problems? Do you have ice problems like us? Am just riding this out - Spring will be here soon!

Until next time........................

02.14.2025 Happy Valentine's Day

 Hope that you were able to spend some of the day with someone very special to you.

This is my red rose to you.

 

Shorty, Gunnarr and Fionnegan love playing in the snow! They send their Valentine's Day greetings to all of you, too! 

Until next time..................

01.25.2025 It's Cold Outside!!!!!!!!

 We are having some work done on the house and this cold snap is not helping the construction progress! It was past time to renovate the front of house - leaking windows, ice dams in the winter, broken tile, etc. So we bit the bullet and hired a construction company to do the work. There are always problems and delays - too cold, too much snow - you get the idea. But the roof is on and shingled, so we no longer listen to the tarp flapping in some of the high winds we had. But I decided I really did not like a window and decided we needed to replace it now before the insulation and drywall is done. I tried really hard to like the upper windows but there was no convincing my limited sense of aesthetics that it was right.  So the draftsman redrew the windows to what I had to be done the first time and we will proceed. But with delays, of course!

The pups are managing reasonably well. Their wings have been clipped, so to speak. No more racing through the house as everything from the atrium is in the dining room. And only a few precious tuns through the yard as we had to fence off an area for their safety. I do inspect the ground in the front and after I pick up all of the loose nails, I let them run for a little while. But I must be very careful that they do not hurt their paws. And of course all there have peed on the lumber! No surprise there.

We did get about 5-6 inches of snow and we all are enjoying it. The boys were out running around, rolling around and also eating it.

My little Carolina wren is inside the feeder. She is so cute and I hope she is able to build a nest nearby this Spring.

She was able to get a cold sunflower seed and take it to her warm spot - under the dumpster!

I do not mind shoveling snow - the first time! It generally is peaceful and quiet and it is good exercise for me. I let the dogs out in a secure area and they watch carefully. No doubt they look for an escape so they can join me.

We are enjoying a winter wonderland!

Shorty is now a senior dog and he runs and walks carefully in the snow. But he is enjoying it and shortly after coming back inside he nudged me to let him back outside. He is such a good boy.

Gunnarr was the real surprise, He seems to endless energy and was running all around the yard at full speed. He is also such a good boy but he had a harder time adjusting the inside and outside changes. When the construction is done, he will enjoy his new quarters!

Fionnegan ran around the yard, too. But he spent most of his time eating snow and keeping Shorty company. He is just too cure for words!

Fionnegan and Shorty.

Fionnegan and Gunnarr. Their bond is incredible but they are litter mates so that is to be expected. 

Ann the three of them are never far apart from each other - a very special pack!

Shorty with a little snow on his eyebrow and nose.

He sleeps next to Fionnegan.

Then moves to rest near Gunnarr. The three of them are apart 2 feet from each other!

Must clean one's paws before coming back inside the house!

Hope you all are safe during this near nationwide freeze.  Soon it will be Spring. You can feel the days getting longer.

Until next time.............