Ground Feeders and the "Big Bird"???

Today I was watching some of the

ground feeding birds

outside my sewing room window.

 

 

There are some birds that seem

to prefer to eat what the others

have tossed down from the deck up above.

 

 

Most of the time they get along,

however, this little Snow Bird

seemed to be having a few words

with Mr. Cardinal.

 

Suddenly, I noticed something large

outside the window.

 

 

Not a big bird,

but another creature looking

for a little food.

 

The wind chills were in the -20's today,

and I can see deer down in our valley

trying to find something to eat

under the deep snow cover.

 

 

It was not as big as many of the deer we see.

 

Oh, oh, she saw me!

 

She reluctantly wondered off,

but returned a little later with a couple of friends.

 

 

 

I wonder if she is sleeping down in the valley

where I often see some of them in the mornings?

 

 

Just a couple more portraits.

 

I put out some corn tonight..

Maybe she will come back tomorrow.

 



All Fluffed Up

During some of the recent

really cold weather we have had,

it is common to see some of the birds

fluff their feathers in an attempt to stay warm.

 

A bird I see everyday -- The Tufted Titmouse

 

Another regular - The Downy Woodpecker

 

And the Red-bellied Woodpecker

Last but not least--One of my favorites,
The Carolina Wren



American Tree Sparrow

It is a cold, blustery and snowy day today.

I was surprised when I saw

something different outside my window.

 

 

At first I thought it might be a

Chipping Sparrow;

however, my bird book indicates

because of the spot in the middle of it's chest,

it is an American Tree Sparrow.

 

 

 

Apparently they like to visit Indiana

in the Winter.



Digging Out!

Watching from the inside.

 



 

Working on the outside.

And he still has a long way to go.
 



Winter Storm Jan. 5, 2014

After visiting our out-of-state children

over the Christmas and New Year's Holidays,

we slipped home between snow storms.

There was already about 5 inches on the ground,

and we are told to expect at least 10 inches today.

 

The blowing and drifting is yet to come

along with the sub-zero temps.

 

The picture above is the way it looks
in our backyard at the moment.

 

These two little Titmouse

were sitting very still.

It looked like they were trying to escape

the snow for just a moment.

 

 

 

 

Below, all is quiet,

but the beauty of the softly falling snow

is very evident.

 

 

I guess it must be time

to refill the feeders.

 

Wishing you all a

Happy and Blessed

New Year!