The birds are so entertaining, going after the pinecones that have been coated with peanut butter and then rolled in sunflower kernels.
Here, a Chickadee (Paridae) is hovering to get some of the snack I’ve created for the many birds.
Peanut butter and sunflower kernels go into the suet that I cook up for them too. Happy birds are what it’s all about.
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It took a couple weeks but the White-breasted Nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis) have returned, after no bird feeding for quite a while.
They’re cute little birds that make a sound like an old toy tin car tooting its little horn. Or think of that little car laughing as it moves about. That’s the sound of the White-breasted Nuthatch.
This one is a female. There’s a subtle difference in the coloring of the male and female. The two, mostly black, white, and gray. The female more subtle grays, less strong, contrasty blacks, and whites.
I’m totally enjoying having these little guys around again, sounding like that little toy car.
Eastern Red Cedar berries (Juniperus virginiana). Though you can’t see them in this image there are many other Robins (Turdus migratorius) and Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) enjoying the treats that this tree provides for them.
In a few minutes they’ll be swarming to the bird bath, gathering around for a refreshing drink of water.
No matter what the season, birds are fascinating creatures.
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They said this would happen. And so, it rains. Just as they said. Color me very pleased.
This photo, a very spent seed head of Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota). A seed head totally rain-sodden.
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Rain drops on Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana). Perhaps this is will be the look of things tomorrow afternoon and into the night. I hope.
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A Chickadee (Paridae) shivering and fluffed up as the snow comes down, trying to keep warm.
As I see this, I want to make it into a Christmas card. Maybe next year’s Christmas card. Or perhaps pull out my pastels and do a painting, or maybe an oil painting. No action on any of those thoughts right now, time is a rare commodity.
I like all those ideas. Check back in a month or two.
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An amazing creature. An Eyed Click Beetle (Alaus oculatus), which can be found in the eastern United States. Because of their length, reaching up to 1.75 inches, they’re a bit of a surprise to see. The “eyes” that you notice immediately are not actually its eyes, as you can see in the photo above, but are a defensive mechanism to startle predators.
The larvae of these click beetles eat the grubs of wood-boring beetles. They spend the winter as either larvae or adults, often under logs.
Every now and then I’ll see one of these fun beetles. I’ll look forward to finding some as winter turns to spring and they emerge from their hiding places.
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My Dad was totally into recycling and composting before they were even a thing. When I was little he was often out back burying kitchen scraps in the compost, and mention a scout troop doing a newspaper collection for recycling, he was on board helping out. Later, after he retired, he volunteered at recycling centers to help others as they brought things in, and to keep the recycling centers tidy.
I’ve followed his example doing my best to recycle whenever it is possible and keeping that good old compost going. For the past many months the compost has been like concrete when I’ve gone out to bury something. Now though, thanks to a few good rains and some snow a couple days ago, it is pure pleasure to go out and bury those kitchen scraps.
I’m trying to help this planet continue to support us. Not necessarily to “save” it, since it’s going to be around for billions of years with or without us. But our planet, Earth, really needs us to treat it gently and carefully so that it will continue supporting us.
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The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a year round resident, one that doesn’t migrate. Looking stunning all year long, but particularly in late autumn and winter, when there are few colors to complete with their many shades of red. This female Cardinal is enjoying Beautyberry (Callicarpa) drupes.
Cardinals and snow. What a perfect combination.
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Oh MY! What a beautiful morning. How wonderful to wake up and find 2.75 inches of snow plastered all over everything. Up early because an electrician was coming out at the crack of dawn this morning. He managed to show up in his trusty 4X4 Silverado, despite a very challenging, narrow, twisty-turny, snow covered, mountain road.
This image above is snow lit by the sun just beginning its path across the sky. Snow on the branches of Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) trees. Branches that just a short time ago were filled with crimson leaves.
Anticipation of the electrician’s visit had me up much earlier than I would normally be up. Because of that I was able to catch the early morning light accenting the snow. So many enchanting things to see, as if a Snow Fairy had waved her magic wand, decorating everything for Christmas.
And this second image with Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica) in the background while a Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) stands out. More than likely this stunning tree will come inside, and will mark the spot where Santa will bring his gifts in just 2 weeks.
Who would have thought, a visit from an electrician would enable me to witness a Snow Fairy’s magic.
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