December 5, 2025
A Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) working on a nut, holding it with its feet as the nut is hammered with its beak.
I’m pleased to say that snow did happen overnight. Three inches of the beautiful white stuff!
_______________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
December 4, 2025
At the birdbath, three, but many more are around eating the berries. A Robin (Turdus migratorius), and two Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum), enjoying water in liquid form during some mighty cold weather.
Today I decided I’d better get out in the cold to winterize the birdbath. Remove the dripper and empty the tubing of the remaining water. Clean out the birdbath and add fresh water. Untangle the electric cord that had been running the pump in the pond and attach it to the water warmer.
Now, all set. Just waiting to see if we actually get any snow overnight. I hope so.
_______________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
December 3, 2025
This morning there were several Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) near the vegetable garden, checking out one of the birdhouses as a spot for roosting during the winter.
A surprising number of Bluebirds will roost together in one birdhouse. Six or eight are commonly seen keeping each other warm. There are times, even during the day, when they’ll roost together given high winds or extremely cold temperatures.
_______________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
December 2, 2025
The weather folks had been talking about it so much. Rain starting in the middle of the night, becoming freezing rain. Many counties arranged to open school on a two hour delay. As the morning went on it warmed just a tiny bit. With the slight warmth, the magic of ice covering everything vanished. I love that look. Ice creating a shimmer on everything in sight.
This, seedheads of Purple Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea), on ice. Soon to be gone as the birds in the woods come to find a meal.
_______________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
December 1, 2025
Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). A tree that has a long life, some living 500 years and beyond. The oldest known Eastern Hemlock which is at least 554 years old, is in Tionesta, Pennsylvania.
However the North American Eastern Hemlock in much of its range is endangered by infestation by the invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, which will eventually kill the tree. The resulting decline in population caused by this infestation has resulted in this tree being listed as near threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
_______________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
November 30, 2025
Hanging out at the Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra), a large number of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum). Word must be out that there are berries here.
Sociable birds, Cedar Waxwings often travel in groups. Unlike many other birds, they even build their nests in close proximity to one another. While looking for a source of food, they will gather in large flocks, into the hundreds of individuals, often including Robins (Turdus migratorius).
_______________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
November 29, 2025
The male catkins (or male flowers) of Black Birch (Betula lenta) form in the late summer and early autumn, overwintering in a dormant state. When spring arrives these catkins lengthen to 3/4 – 1 inch, and mature to release pollen to the wind. Black Birch is a monoecious tree, having both male and female catkins on the same tree.
Once the female catkins are pollinated they develop into cone-like structures, first green, turning brown in autumn. They contain small, winged seeds maturing during the warm months of summer and are released in late summer.
_______________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
November 28, 2025
Even when it’s cold, like now, birds need water. Here a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) enjoys having some water available at the birdbath.
_______________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
November 27, 2025
A very fortunate sighting, one night back on November 18, 2016, as I was coming home on our lane just before 9pm. A small bird flew in front of my truck and landed on a tree just on the other side of the lane. It clung to the bark of the tree and just watched me. That gave me a few seconds to get my camera, which is almost always with me. Not enough time though to get the proper lens, or to get the one I had in proper focus but I DID manage to get a picture. A little Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus).
To honor this small Owl, which grows to just 7 – 8 inches in length, I created a Christmas ornament for little Granddaughter.
Now, last night, with several members of our family here for the Thanksgiving holiday, in the middle of the night we all heard a Saw-whet Owl! What a surprise. What a treat.
Another encounter with a Saw-whet Owl, this time shared with several others. Something special to be thankful for.
_______________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
November 26, 2025
All set. Mincemeat pie for Thanksgiving dessert.
Have a lovely holiday!
_______________________
If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!