A Robin, Drinking

December 10, 2025

Glug, glug, GLUG!!

A Robin (Turdus migratorius) taking a drink at the birdbath. In order to drink the water, the Robin must scoop the water up into the lower portion of its bill and tilt its head back. This allows gravity to aid the water down the Robin’s throat. Many birds rely on this technique for quenching their thirst.

Doves (Columbidae) and Pigeons (Columba) have a different technique for drinking. They have a piston-like tongue which provides suction. This allows them to drink as if through a straw, drawing water, without the need to pitch its head back. Drinking in a more efficient manner, as well as giving them more safety from predators.

_______________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!

 

White-throated Sparrow In The Snow

December 9, 2025

A White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) trying to stay warm in the garden.

Yesterday 4 inches of snow fell on my cabin. More than I had expected, and now, 7 inches of snow in less than a week. Hmmm. What kind of winter are we going to have? Could be fun!

_______________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!

Juvenile, Female, And Male Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers

December 8, 2025

Three slightly different looks of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius).

This one, a juvenile, looking very speckled. They have this look until their first major molt by early spring.

A female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Notice that she has a brilliant red cap but her throat is white.

And the male sitting at the edge of the birdbath. He also has a bright red cap and his throat, unlike the female, is the same bright red as his cap.

Noisy Little One

December 7, 2025

A fiesty little one. Noisy too. Chattering away, particularly if you’re in a spot where it would rather you not be. A year round resident that makes a nest in various funny spots. Spots like a basket, a graniteware coffee pot, and when they can’t find anything else they’ll actually build a nest in a birdhouse right next to the front door.

Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus). A charming little bird. I thoroughly enjoy having them around.

_______________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!

Emerald Ash Borer

December 6, 2025

Emerald Ash Borers (Agrilus planipennis) seem to be everywhere destroying our Ash trees (Fraxinus). These EABorers were first detected in 2002 in Southeast Michigan. Since then, they have been found in over 30 states in the US and in 5 Canadian provinces.

Notice the lighter sections of bark, indicating injury. This is one of many Ash trees here in the mountains that have been killed by the EABorer. Unprotected trees that are attacked can be killed in 6 to 10 years. This one, dead for a couple years now, broke off and fell into the road recently.

_______________________

If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!

Holding A Nut With Its Feet

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!

Winterizing For The Birds

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!

Bluebirds Checking Out A Roosting Spot

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!

Glazed Purple Coneflower Seedheads

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!

Eastern Hemlock

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!