February 18, 2025
A bit more than a month ago I saw seven Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) gathered at the birdbath. They were enjoying the water which was not frozen on a very cold day.
Not any since then until today when I caught a quick glimpse of just one. Just checking things out I suppose. Hoping more will show up again soon.
When I’m watching please.
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February 17, 2025
Winter and tree identification leaves me looking at the bark. This is Black Walnut (Juglans nigra), a tree that is quite common here. The tree produces a chemical, juglone, in all its parts.
Juglone creates a toxic reaction in other plants. An example of its effectiveness is at the yoga studio where I hang out. There are perhaps three Black Walnut trees there. Under the trees and in the immediate surrounding area there is only grass, and no other plants or weeds – nothing.
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February 16, 2025
Loads of big winds today making lots of noise coming through the woods. I was surprised to hear and recognize the familiar, “Clack! Clack! Clack!” despite all the sounds of the wind. That “Clack” sound is the male Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) joining in their mating call. A sound that always surprises me in the middle of winter. Frogs?
Sure enough when I looked out at my tiny pond there they were. Males cruising the surface of the pond, calling.
Wood Frogs are remarkable in that they literally freeze during their hibernation. Even in Alaska where they are the most common amphibian in the state. They choose to hibernate in leaf litter which warms up sooner than ponds where other frogs species hibernate. This allows them to emerge sooner than other frogs, during mid to late winter.
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February 15, 2025
Today another ice day but this time a slow rain with temperatures fluctuating right around 32º. Not too much. Not nearly as exciting.
The ice that knocked out the power on February 6th was much more beautiful. Much more awesome. That’s okay. Perhaps there will be fewer trees damaged this time ’round. And the power will stay on. I hope.
We shall see.
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February 14, 2025
Hoping you’ve had a comfy day, perhaps wrapped up in a cozy quilt.
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February 13, 2025
A boisterous, rowdy bird that lets everyone know that it has joined the party. The Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata).
Blue Jays have a varied diet of nuts, seeds, berries and small fruits. They will also eat insects, spiders, snails, birds’ eggs, small rodents, frogs, carrion, and baby birds.
At the feeder you can watch them gulp and gulp and gulp down oodles of food. They are actually stuffing something that is called a gular pouch. A storage spot in their throat that is used for storage and transport of excess food. Allowing the Blue Jay to stash that extra food in the woods for times of need.
Sometimes with this stashing, they are planting things in the woods. They don’t always get back to those nuts and seeds.
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February 12, 2025
This morning I measured our snow. Eight inches with much rain sinking to the bottom of the accumulation.
Birds were in panic mode. There was suet out already. That’s always a popular place but there were no hulled sunflower seeds out on TOP of the snow. After I scattered some out many gathered to have breakfast and were happy again.
This is a pair of Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) captured by my camera this morning. I spotted six of these beautiful birds at one point. During mating season the male is extremely territorial. Wikipedia points out, “He may mistake his image on various reflective surfaces as an invading male and will fight his reflection relentlessly.”
Our dear friend Gary knows this all too well, the male Cardinal will fight his reflection relentlessly.
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February 11, 2025
The snow started this morning at about 9:15, coming down at a good clip. That lasted a while and then it slowed, only to get serious again a bit before noon. And that has continued through the day. Beautiful, serious snow coming down. Even now nearly twelve hours after it first started snow is falling at a serious rate.
During the day birds were plentiful, looking for whatever they could find to eat. Here, one of the many, a Chickadee (Poecile).
A couple hours ago I measured the depth of the snow. Seven inches. And still coming down.
It’s not holding back.
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February 10, 2025
Fruits, berries, or technically drupes of Blackhaw Viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium). Waiting for birds to find them. As is the case here, sometimes it is well into winter before these drupes are discovered and eaten. A time when there are fewer things to eat. Located out by the end of my lane, I keep an eye on them, since I’m curious about when they will be eaten.
The Blackhaw Viburnum is a large bush or small tree, sometimes reaching a height of ten or twenty feet. Its flowers grow in a flat topped cluster, blooming in early spring.
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February 9, 2025
Soon to open, Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis). Native to Europe. Though not native, it is a well behaved plant. Two leaves emerge from a bulb along with a single pedicel, or stem, with a solitary flower. Three to six inches tall.
It is said that Snowdrops blooming indicate that spring is coming. However since they begin blooming in early February, I simply take it as an affirmation that it is indeed winter.
Quite the treat for the middle of winter.
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