Little - Big

Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers are very similar in appearance.

So much so one would be forgiven for thinking Downys were just young Hairys.

They're not.

The main difference is size. Which is why it is so nice when they show up on the same tree.

Icy Colors

The front bubbler was not the only thing freezing over.

The Fish Pond has as well.

When we moved in Dennis, the prior owner told me that it was important to have some open water for the fish. And he left us a heater to put in the filter box.

Most years, that is enough to keep an area around the filter box ice free. Not this year however.

Thus I've been smashing the ice to open up that zone. One enjoyable side effect of which has been the interesting optical effects, highlighted by the colors.

It's the little things that make me smile.

And apparently icy things.

Icy Bubbler

It has been cold around these parts of late. Rarely getting much above freezing, often in the teens Fahrenheit, and occasionally in the single digits.

And the front bubbler bird bath has frozen completely solid at times.

Well almost completely solid. Seems there is still a bit of liquid water.

And whenever there is then if there is enough sunlight hitting the solar panel, the water flows.

And for some reason, that makes me smile.

🙂

Yet Another Lunar Halo

I can't get enough of these things.

And despite the folklore, there were no storms the next day.

They Need a Shovel

And hands to use it.

In the Snowbirds post I mentioned that the Mourning Dove went hungry.

And noted the birds seemed confused in the Messy Garden post.

You know that feeling when you go to a favorite restaurant anticipating a nice meal and find it to be closed?

Yeah it was that. Only for birds.

Snow Birds

Friday morning we woke to a winter wonder land.

And the American Robins, looking for food, descended upon the Crabapple tree.

And they found it.

Which can't be said for the Mourning Dove.

Thoughts of Warmer Times

On day this past June I spotting this red patch in the Crabapple tree out my office window.

And work went on hold.

A young Northern Cardinal. 

And as I was watching a young Great-crested Flycatcher made an appearance.

A nice interlude between work tasks. 

And something to dream of these cold dark days.    

Snow Bird

Fast forward some months ...

I wonder if it is the same Northern Cardinal. 

And I wonder if it's dreaming of warmer times?

What a Difference a Week Makes

This morning I took this picture looking out the window over my work laptop:

(You might recall the image on the laptop.)

I took this picture last week, of Patty's nephew Stephen 'working from home':

This morning:

Last week:

❄️  🏝  ❄️  🏝  ❄️

Messy Garden

One of the benefits of gardening for wildlife is that the amount of yard work is significantly reduced. A trivial example is every square meter of garden is one less square meter to mow. 

Another maintenance job we no longer do is cut down the dead plants in the fall.

And this is one of the reasons why.

As you can see we had a bit of snow.

And the bird feeders were all snow covered. 

The birds were confused.

But there was still food available.

And this Chipping Sparrow was out my office window happily munching away at native grass seeds.

Which is another benefit of gardening for wildlife, benefiting the wildlife.

The Sky Was Angry This Morning ...

But it didn't last.

And the impending ice storm passed us by.

It was pretty cool looking though.

Truckin' Santa

Not the traditional mode of transport ...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

🎄  🎅🏼  🎄  🎅🏼  🎄

Hiding Place

As Winter approaches, and is now here, we shut down the filter system for the fish pond. Cutting off the water to the waterfall.

And this Song Sparrow promptly found a nice little hidey-hole. It spent quite a bit of time pecking at the "seaweed" on the rocks of the now still waterfall.

Winter Home

So the other day as I lay down in bed I spotted a dark spot in the corner, where the two walls meet the ceiling. "What is that?" I wondered. So I grabbed my glasses and saw this ...

If you bigafy the image you'll see if is a group of Lady Bugs. They've been there over a week now. I think this is their home for the winter.

We'll see what happens over the winter. Kinda cool if you ask me.

Polar Bird Club

Prior to the Fish Pond Waterfall being shut down for the winter, our resident Hermit Thrush decided to go for a dip.

Crazy. It's been in the 20's Fahrenheit most mornings. Yet this critter seemed to actually enjoy its splash about.

Crazy.

It's That Time of the Year

Needle Ice time.

These needles were in the parking area and I spotted then when I got my car.

So, on a cold day after a warm-ish wet day, look around on the ground for Needle Ice.

I think it is cool (pun!). 

Back By Popular Demand

The Winter Solstice Bonfire Yule Log Spirit Animal Music Jam.

That's what's back, after a one year hiatus due to the plague.

Our friend Russel once again provided the music in the Music Jam ...

... this time accompanied by my brother-in-law Dano on guitar.

Fire ...

... friends ...

... and food (and drinks!).

It doesn't get any better than this.

Everyone enjoyed being back together. 

And we all enjoyed getting our spirit animal.

For this coming year, mine is a zebra.

🔥  🔥  🔥  🔥  🔥

So, maybe some year I'll remember to get the camera before the event starts, and get some pictures of the Yule Log ceremony. 

A very big thanks to our friend The Goddess for introducing us to the Yule Log ceremony, providing the Yule Log each year, and leading the ceremony.