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An Afternoon Hello
A Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) stopped by this afternoon to say hello, as it was hunting for a dinner of berries. The second portion of it’s scientific name, gusttatus, is Latin for spotted. It’s one of several that are called the spotted thrushes. During the winter, identification becomes easy since this is the only spotted…
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Mistletoe
There are more than 30 species of Mistletoe in North America. Mistletoe is a hemi-parasite, meaning that it performs photosynthesis, but extracts water and nutrients from the host plant. If you’re considering using American Mistletoe as an indoor decoration, and have children or cats or dogs around, keep in mind, those berries are poisonous.
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Ice Storm
A storm crossing the country. Menacing with flooding, deep snow, tornadoes, large hail, and for me a thick coating of ice. It arrived last night and lasted through the morning, coating everything with a thick layer of slick wet dangerous beauty. Every now and then the power went off for but a short second or…
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A Sassy Little Wren
A sassy little bird that might be trying to make up for its size by being so vocal. A Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus). This, one of several that I see year round here at my cabin. Little clowns that entertain me with their uninhibitedness and their relaxed nature while I’m outside with them. They eat…
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The Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for tomorrow night (Wednesday night) into Thursday is exciting for me. Prospects of beautiful ice. I had a dentist appointment scheduled for Thursday, but given the risk of driving up here where it’s bound to be even more icy than down in the lowlands, I’ve rescheduled that appointment. And besides I’ll need…
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Unpredictable, Sometimes, Winter Resident
An occasional winter resident. Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata). If I see one, I often see others. During the winter you’re going to see them eating berries from the bushes that provide their winter meals. I’ve seen it mentioned that these Warblers will come to bird feeders where they’ll eat sunflower seeds, peanut butter, suet and…