Thursday, December 06, 2007

Snow

It began to snow this morning.
Birds came to the deck.

It is a wet snow.
It is a slippery snow.

The wind came up.
More birds came to the deck.

I came in to warm up.
I heard a thump.
A male Downy Woodpecker had flown into the window.
I carefully gathered him up and laid him on the window ledge.
I stayed with him while he got his bearings.
Easy prey for Cooper's Hawk.
After a few minutes he flew off.
I saw him back at the suet a little while later.

A snowy day.
Be full of care.

8 comments:

Barbara said...

So beautiful pictures of these birds sitting and waiting in the snow!! My compliments!

Q said...

Dear Barbara,
Thank you! I was concerned for the little woodpecker. Thank goodness he was okay. I had never held a bird before. It was very special.
I so adore taking photos in the snow!
Sherry

Lisa at Greenbow said...

That Downy was lucky that you found and then protected him. I am sure there was a hungry Cooper's out in the snow looking for lunch.

I got to hold a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak one time. She recovered. It is awesome to hold such a lovely thing in your hand. I am always surprised how light birds feel.

I am glad you like to take pictures in the snow becasue I like to see snow pictures.

Q said...

Dear Lisa,
Glad to know your Rose-breasted Grosbeak was okay too. Holding a bird is very wonderful! I never want them to get that familiar with me. In the Woodpeckers case today, he was hanging in the ivy vine that is on the house. I just untangled him and laid him up on the ledge. He was very quiet. I could tell he was alive. I think Woodpeckers have rather sout heads. When he stood up and flew off I was very happy.
Taking photos in the snow is just a thrill. Every bird looks beautiful. There were about 250 birds here today. Way too many for my deck and back yard. I did put a few more seed trays out in front so there would be less congestion.
I do not want birds flying into each other!
The season has just begun. By March we both will be wanting green grass and sunshine. For now snow is lovely!
Sherry

mon@rch said...

wonderful photos and with birds like that I would be wishing for snow most every day!

Mary said...

Awww, Sherry. He looks stunned, for sure. Your big heart took care of him.

Your photos get better each week.

Q said...

Dear Mon@rch,
So many birds! I was the only feeders open I guess! I saw at least 35 Cardinals...many, many Cardinals! If I did not know better I would say they were flocking birds. One female Cardinal is very unafraid of me. She came up to the window ledge and wanted something. I was not sure what. I decided maybe it was too busy in the backyard so I filled six more saucers with sunflower seeds and placed them on the front porch. That was what she wanted, more dry seed!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Mary,
There are two pairs of Downy Woodpeckers that come every day. I know them rather well. They like the little peanut feeder I have up under the soffit by the office window. It is their feeder. I also have suet cakes in the kitchen window boxes. They share the suet with the Hairy Woodpeckers and the Wrens. I think when I helped Downy out he was not too scared of me just dazed from the encounter with the window! Some of the windows have no screens so I can take photos. I might have to put the front screens back on if the Downy hits the window again. He is up on the peanuts right now making his little peep sound. So sweet.
Thanks for the photo compliment. It all depends on Mother Nature.
Snow is very nice! I have to be careful I do not have over exposure since it is so bright even when it is very cloudy.
Shooting straight into snow is like shooting into the sun!
Hopefully as the winter unfolds I will see more varieties of birds too. Hopefully they will not be flying into the windows.
Full of hope,
Sherry