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Busy Day at the Edge of the Woods
Here in the woods I’ve still got patches of snow from last week, and today’s temperatures were mighty cold. Birds gathered ’round the feeders, the birdbath, and the bushes that still have countless berries on them. Consuming calories which will go a long way toward keeping them warm. Keeping warm, something they’re constantly working on…
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Patiently Waiting for the Snow
Trying to remain calm. I’ve flushed my ice cubes as is my tradition. Wonder if little granddaughter has done the same. Quite likely, we often think alike. Now to distract myself. Focus on months from now when snow is certainly not to be expected. Late April when Red Maple (Acer rubrum) trees are leafing out.…
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Crimson in a Black and White Landscape
Late May into June they go from tiny bud to minuscule flower. A flower and lots of buds of Winterberry (Ilex verticillata). A deciduous species of Holly native to eastern North America in the United States and southeastern Canada. And now in WINTER a big splash of color. Crimson berries that attract oodles of birds…
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A Winter Essential
It’s wonderful to feed the birds. They become friends, these little feathered visitors. But there’s something more they need – water, not frozen water, but water in liquid form. So many birds gather ’round my birdbath. I know they appreciate it. I’ve recently had questions about what water warmer I use. I wouldn’t recommend one…
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Seldom Seen Sparrow
A large sparrow. Its size is apparent when you see one or two hanging out with smaller White-throated Sparrows or Song Sparrows. It will shuffle through leaf litter in a way that resembles an Eastern Towhee. Toes grabbing leaves and sending them behind, leaving bare ground and maybe something to eat. It’s a rare treat…
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Feeding the Birds
Say, “Feeding the birds” and one thinks immediately of going to the store to get shelled peanuts, hulled sunflower seeds, mixing up a batch of suet, and then getting all the required feeders. But the Goldfinches (Spinus tristis) that are coming to my yard right now are seldom visiting the feeders. Instead they’re enjoying seedheads,…
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Splish Splash
Splish splash, I was taking a bathLong about a Saturday night Mid-afternoon, today. A Robin (Turdus migratorius), looking much like it is seriously hesitating. Should it get into the water? After all the temperature is a very cold 27°. Despite very cold weather birds will still bathe. Somehow birds know that they’ve got to keep…
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Orange Tip of the Tail
Imagine an introduced plant species changing the color of a beloved songbird native to North and Central America. This does happen. In the image above, you see two Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) sharing a birdbath with a Robin. Those Cedar Waxwings are sporting bright yellow tail tips. That’s what I expect to see. But if…
