Sunday, January 31, 2010

More Snow and Lots of Birds

UPDATE: Feb. 2--Groundhog Day. Phil saw his shadow so it's 6 more weeks of winter. Here, though he would not have seen his shadow since it's snowing again today. Does that mean that spring is close?

Yesterday, my husband measured 9 inches of snow after the night's storm. When I ventured out a few hours later, it seemed the fluffy snow had already compacted to about 7". Today, the temperature rose to 43, starting a thaw. But I managed to snap a few photos before then.


Looking down on our house, I realize how much we are in the woods.


In the opposite direction, I see one of our close neighbors (over 2 miles away) across the hollow. They live in a geodesic dome--can you see it?


These bird tracks are from this morning since it snowed another 1/2 inch last night--probably from the more than 30 juncos that flocked to our feeders today.

The Dark-Eyed Junco is eating one of the last berries from the burning bush shrub.




The Tufted Titmouse is a bird I often overlook because it is so common. This bird is great for warning about predators and for eating up the dead bees around the hive in the morning.


I am not sure of the ID here-think it's a White-Throated Sparrow but he looks a little different.



Of course, the Northern Cardinal is always here...




... along with the Red-Bellied Woodpecker.

9 comments:

  1. Oh Joan, I LOVE all of your birds!! How neat that you posted the Junco - I posted one today too. They have been very difficult birds for me to photograph. I'm 99% sure you are correct on the White throated sparrow. We have a TON of them around here. And your RB Woodpecker is LOVELY! Oh, how I LOVE them. I have one that goes to the next door neighbor's feeder - and then comes to my backyard tree - but he's been hard to catch too. The best thing about winter is the ability to see these guys better.

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  2. Lucky you, with all that snow! We got a few flakes here yesterday and today, but it's not sticking.
    I could see the dome when I enlarged the photo-can't believe your nearest neighbour is that far away,that would freak me out, but I do think the surroundings of where you live are absolutely beautiful.
    And your bird photos are lovely, I particularly like your cardinal, cos we don't have them here.

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  3. 9 inches of snow! I would love that. The storm completely passed by us, going south. The mountains look so beautiful snow-covered... I love the shot of the junco. The expression in his eye is so pretty.

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  4. IT's funny - in the spring and summer I don't even think of apologizing for posting more flower pictures, but the last month or so- I feel like I have to keep saying I am sorry about the snow - but I love the snow.

    Your photo's are so beautiful. Love the birds! I just learned about the junco this week as a slew of them visited my feeder. I didn't get any good pictures though. Now I have seen photos of them on 3 other sites - including yours - how neat!

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  5. I am glad everyone is not tired of these snow and bird pictures--that's pretty much been our winter.

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  6. Thanks for all the great photos!! I love where you live...it must be paradise there.

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  7. Thank you so much for sharing with me how my White Lisianthus photograph touched you and triggered your memories, what an honor for a photographer to hear that their work has struck a deep chord with a viewer.

    I love looking at your photos as well. What a beautiful area you live in, I can certainly see why you chose to retire there. I hope too that your conservation efforts are successful. When I did my undergrad degree I wrote a number of papers on the culture of the coal mining regions and it breaks my heart to think about what the coal companies did and are continuing to do to the land.

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  8. We got more snow than you down here in Asheville! 12". More is coming. Love all the bird shots - i can't get close enough to mine - they fly off even if I come in the window.

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  9. You live in such a beautiful place!

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