This morning. First morning light and I was elated to see an exquisite dusting of snow over everything. Perhaps a promise of more to come over the next few months.
Above, delicate snowflakes clinging to a crystalline spiderweb. Captured December 9, 2017.
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A Common Raven (Corvus corax), looking rather disheveled. A flock of Ravens is called an unkindness. Oh dear, that would be hard to take.
The length of the Common Raven is between 22 and 27 inches inches and a wing span of 4 feet. They have a distinctive low gutturall croak call, quite different from the caw-caw of a Crow.
I was really pleased to realize this bird was a Raven. And pleased also to get photos of it. I’ve thought there were some up here but I’ve not been certain. Now I know for sure. Seems I live right at the edge of their range.
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Yesterday was a big day for birds, with a list of birds I saw, much longer than usual.
There was one though that was a BIG bird. Considerably larger than I usually see. A Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). The second largest hawk found here in Virginia. A species of bird with so many subspecies, that my head spins. Fourteen in all. And then there are the variations between juveniles and adults. Total confusion.
Here in Virginia this hawk is a year-round resident. And is found in nearly all parts of North America.
If you are like me, used to seeing dainty little Sharp-shinned or Cooper’s Hawks, and see a very chunky hawk, be thinking maybe it is the Red-tailed Hawk.
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Mighty cold out there today. But of course it is. It’s the first day of meteorological winter. The temperature here today reached a high of 42º. Some of Skyline Drive, in Shenandoah National Park, has been closed due to icy conditions.
Winter, I’m mighty pleased to see you.
This picture, ice on Blue Spruce (Picea pungens), taken December 9, 2013.
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The Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe), a small bird that is here all year. During the warm months I love to see the little Phoebe as it consumes lots and lots of insects. As the seasons change and there are fewer insects, the Phoebe will eat berries and small fruits.
I’d love to see more of them around in part because the Phoebes are so unperturbed by my presence, but also for insect control. But this bird is a loner. Even mated pairs spend little time together.
Phoebes will often return to the same nest year after year. This has happened here, returning to a nest site under the eaves of our wood shop. The female builds or repairs the nest using mud, moss, and leaves mixed with grass stems and animal hair.
And not a shy bird. It’s one that I’m able to get pictures of, quite easily.
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Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus), a handsome creature that arrives in autumn to spend the winter in central Virginia, and in much of southern North America. They enjoy berries during their stay here and during the summer they eat insects.
As I look at the maps of their range I see that my location is marked “uncommon”. I’m feeling quite happy that the Hermit Thrushes in my vicinity didn’t get that word, and I’m not going to tell them.
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One of many favorite photographs. This, from a visit to see my parents in Florida long ago. It was their first meeting of their great-granddaughter.
My Dad’s hand reaching out to her hand, as my Mom is holding her. Ah, the memories.
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A Christmas card, maybe? Or maybe not. Some Jalepeño Peppers (Capsicum annuum ‘Jalapeño’) from the garden placed upon a stack of greens from my huge stash of fabrics.
We’ll see what I come up with. Going through oodles and bunches of photos. Wondering which one will speak to me.
In the meantime I’m enjoying looking at images from the past.
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A Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) enjoying a relatively warm day, with temperatures dropping considerably in the following many days.
With water available, and not frozen, birds will continue to use the birdbaths for their bathing which is needed for their health. Bathing helps in preening their feathers. That in turn aids in aligning feathers for proper waterproofing and insulation.
This coming Sunday is the first day of meteorological winter with a forecast high of 40º and the following day there is a forecast of a high of 38º.
Welcome meteorological winter! Water de-icer required!
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This morning I was pleased to spot a female Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) at one of the birdbaths. I was quick and was able to get a picture. Glad of that. They don’t hang around waiting for me to get my camera ready. They’re here one minute and gone the next.
Eastern Bluebirds here are year-round residents but that’s the case for most of them in the United States. That range is the mid-Atlantic states, northern Florida, Oklahoma, and eastern Texas.
The female Eastern Bluebird has a pale dusty coloring. Pale gray-blue above and pale, pale rusty brown below.
I hope she’ll be back again soon.
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