Monday, December 10, 2007

Round Two

Another winter storm is on its way.
More freezing rain and snow is to come
tonight and last into tomorrow.

The birds seem to know this.



Tom at http://monarchbfly.com/ did a post about bird toes. It is very interesting.
I had never thought about the bird's toes.
Today I started looking.


The Red Bellied Woodpeckers were my first birds to study.
I always look at beaks and eyes.
I watch their wings as they unfold.


My toes are very cold even with two pairs of socks and warm boots.
I wonder how the birds keep their toes warm?

12 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Sherry I just love these pictures of the RBWO. I can even see his red belly!

I hope you get to stay home where it is safe and warm during all these storms.

Q said...

Dear Lisa,
I am home, thank goodness. I will be on bird management. So many bird when the weather is wet and cold.
There is a pair of Red Bellies that call the backyard home now. I just love them. We have lots of Woodpeckers. I hope to see Red Headed and the Northern Flickers could come any minute. Last year I had a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker!
Watching the winter birds and keeping up with their seed is a full time job. One I am very grateful to have.
Sherry

mon@rch said...

This first picture is a perfect example of why they are called Red-bellied Woodpeckers! You see the red on its belly? zygodactyl toes!

Sprite said...

*****

Sherry,

Sometimes it seems as though you can see their spirit in their eyes. They seem so very comfortable with you. You are a wonderful caretaker, feeding the birds and caring for them as you do. It's a lovely thing to be so thoughtful.

I wonder too, how they stay warm.

Love,
*sprite

Marvin said...

Yes, the birds always seem to know when there's a bad storm on the way. Stay warm.

smilnsigh said...

Oh those toe pictures are so sweet!

Me too, my ankles and feet get cold. Must be the birds don't need much 'heat' in their feet. :-)

Mari-Nanci

Mary said...

Your red-bellied woodpecker (last photo) is THE BEST. I've never seen eyes so clear...

And your red-tailed in flight is astounding.

I've been looking at bird toes, too. I noticed in the winter, Mourning Doves toes are pale off-white but in the Spring and Summer they are HOT PINK.

Please walk carefully and stay warm!

Q said...

Dear Tom,
Oh yes, the red belly is so pretty!
I could not remember the name of those toes! Thank you!
I have been looking at all the bird's toes since your post.
Bird anatomy is so interesting.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Sprite,
Some of the birds are comfortable with me. Red Bellied never seems to be afraid. I think as the winter continues more will learn I am a friend.
They do like the seed and Mockingbird likes his raisins!
It is in their eyes isn't it!
I love it when I have eye to eye with them.
I understand how the birds can puff up and have air in their feathers but still it seems mighty cold sometimes for just "thermal" feathers.
You stay warm and safe.
This ice storm makes walking about most treacherous!
Hugs,
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Marvin,
Thanks! It really does not feel too cold outside. I think the ice makes the world look cold!
I did not see how far south this ice storm went. I hope you stayed just rain!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Mary,
Doves have wonderful toes! I love the hot pink summer look too.
I guess I better start posting more birds flying about. I have lots of wings in the backyard.
I have head shots of some of the birds that come. Some of the little birds do not sit still long enough for a good head shot. Maybe this winter I can do more of these. I have a long time before butterflies return. I know there are about 40 different species of birds here in the winter. Maybe I can work up a photo shoot for each different species. That would be fun to do!
January is a very long month for me.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Mari-Nanci,
LOL! "heat in their feet" made me laugh. I guess not!
My feet and hands do get cold too. I often have to come in just to warm them up.
Stay warm and dry.
Winter weather! Pretty but so cold!
Sherry