Winter Solstice

The snow lies deep on this official first day of winter. We've had another foot of snow overnight which makes it look very wintry indeed.

This Week's Featured Bird

Common Redpoll ~ Carduelis flammea

Length: 13cm (5 1/4")
Weighs 14g (0.5 oz.)

named for their red or orange-red cap or "poll"

Today the birds were fluffed up against the cold with the temperature hovering around -13C all day. It was mostly cloudy with some swirling snowflakes earlier on. I counted at least a dozen grosbeaks and as many redpolls at the feeders. There were two nuthatches on this day, numerous chickadees and our friendly squirrel.

Redpoll, female, perched in the Serviceberry Bushes.

This one is perched on the ash can lid which also serves as a platform feeder.

The Sky

Yesterday, shortly before sunset

"I will grow. I will become something new and grand, but no grander than I now am. Just as the sky will be different in a few hours, its present perfection and completeness is not deficient."

~ Wayne Dyer

More wonderful skies at Sky Watch Friday

This Week's Featured Bird

Pine Grosbeak ~ Pinicola enucleator

a large finch about the size of a robin

A number of birds gathered at the feeders yesterday while we were out clearing snow. We were all very grateful that the sun shone through after all. In between the Grosbeaks on the ground are the little Redpolls, also of the Finch family.

A female and male Pine Grosbeak eating sunflower seeds in the sunshine.

A male Pine Grosbeak eyes the buffet below before swooping down to join the others.

The Pine Grosbeak is our brightest bird of the winter.

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Hoarfrost

The hoarfrost gave the landscape a somewhat ghostly appearance on this very dull, overcast day. Maybe tomorrow the sun will come out.

Pine Grosbeaks perched in a Poplar tree near the feeders.

There were Chickadees, Grosbeaks and Common Redpolls at the feeders today. Also, one Nuthatch, one Woodpecker and one Squirrel.