Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Snow showers


Snow showers are in the forecast.
I put extra seed out.



The female Red-Bellied Woodpecker
found the seed I placed in one of the deck pots.

Once the snow began the birds flocked to the deck.
There were about a dozen Purple Finches,
males and females.


Lots of Northern Cardinals too.

With so few acorns the Squirrels seem extra hungry.
I will need to replenish the feeders and seed trays soon.

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

How do you do it?
You pictures are just amazing..
The woodpecker is beautiful.
Thank you for sharing.
Gisela

Anonymous said...

The poor squirrels, there is a shortage of acron all across the us. I didn't this many this year,

www.thequietone.net

Mary said...

You have Purple Finches! I was happy to see a male House Finch today!

Mary (giggling)

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Hi Sherry, Lovely pictures. That woodpecker is great.

In answer to your question, Yes, we are decorating. Hope to finish up tomorrow.

Cheryl said...

Dear Sherry.....I don't know how you do it either.....they are so beautiful.......I have beautiful birds but photographs are another thing...lol

My squirrel is hungry to....no acorns here to speak of....Poppi and I bought squirrel food yesterday....Poppi delighted in putting it in a dish for her......

The day started with rain, which was icy....and a strong north wind.....the sun is trying to break through the clouds and I think it may.....

Q said...

Dear Gisela,
Thank you. The birds know me.
I just sit outside with my coffee and the birds come for breakfast.
I do talk with them..."Stay, stay...good, good...thank you!"
The Red Bellied Woodpeckers are very fine birds. This pair built a nest last spring and had two little ones. Very cute! She will peck at the window if she needs anything too!
They know me VERY well.
I am learning bird speak.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Cathy,
Poor squirrels is right! There were eight on the deck yesterday!
I will be feeding them all winter.
I am putting out corn, peanuts and a nice mixed nut in the shell. Those will keep them busy for a spell. The seeds they just go right through.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Mary,
I do have Purples Finches! Have not seen House Finches for a very long time. The Purples stick around all year.
Lots of other birds...Tit Mice, Chick-a-dees, Juncos and Jays...no Mockingbirds! I do miss the Mockers.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Lisa,
Thank you.
I think we will finish this weekend when it warms up. I still have the scarecrow frozen in the garden!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
You do have beautiful birds!
I think your photographs are great!
The up close photos require waiting for the birds to come near.
No acorns for you either??? The Oaks are speaking.
I hope humans pay attention.
Wonderful you and Poppi are feeding the squirrels. I bet she will be a lover of wildlife forever thanks to you.
Sherry

Roses and Lilacs said...

Is that squirrel really fat or may just poofed up? Great photos. I have a female red belly at my suet feeders but no male. Maybe he will find me later in the season.
Marnie

marmee said...

dearest sherry,
wonderful sights, your little creatures. they look fed well and posing for you as usual. maybe you are the creature whisperer! i love to visit with you, it cheers me!

Rose said...

Sherry, Your photos are wonderful as always. Seeing the finches and the cardinal with the snow blowing makes me regret not putting out any food for them before I left home. The squirrels will be well-fed, though--I had an abundance of acorns this year.

ICQB said...

Mr. Squirrel looks like he needs a bit more around the waistline to be comfy for winter!

Thanks for the wonderful pictures.

ICQB

Wendy said...

Your photos are beautiful. I liked the clarity of seeing the berry in the woodpecker's beak. We too have woodpeckers here. I have heard about the acorn shortage, but we had plenty this year. Will send you some via our Canadian geese. LOL!

Q said...

Dear Marnie,
I bet Mr. Red-bellied will find her before too long! My pair has been around for about three years.
I have way too many squirrels. This one is just puffed up because it was cold!
Taking the photos is so muych fun. Glad you enjoy them.
Sherry

Mel said...

Beautiful pictures Sherry, as usual :)

Q said...

Dear Marmee,
LOL! I think the birds and critters just love all the treats I set out for them....
I am so pleased the birds bring you joy...they do that for me too. I can spend ten minutes outside with the birds and I am refreshed for hours.
Cold this morning, 14 degrees, the sky is clear and so blue... I am awed by the color.
Hope you are staying warm,
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Rose,
We had no acorns...zero!
Normally we shovel them off the driveway!
When ever there is a weather event I know the birds will come to the feeders and the seed trays.
I bought extra peanuts yesterday for the squirrels and the birds. Not only do the Jays and Woodepeckers like the peanuts but so do the Flickers. It would be fun to have the flickers return!
Stay warm!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear ICQB,
I bet Mr. Squirrel will fatten right up with all the special nuts I have out out.
I feel kind of sad for the squirrels. The acorns are no-where to be found. I did see they were able to get all the walnuts from my neighbor's trees.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Wendy,
Thanks for the acorn gift!
I will watch for your geese...
I do enjoy taking the photographs.
I was looking forward to the snow!
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Mel,
Thank you!
It is cold...
The wind is blowing...
Too cold for walking...
Think I will do some baking.
Hope you are enjoying your December,
Sherry

kkryno said...

I often wonder how these sweet little creatures keep warm during the cold months. It kind of breaks my heart!

Great photos, as always. :)

Q said...

Dear Vikki,
I wonder the same thing. They are so small!
I guess one way is by eating lots of suet!
You have really cold temperatures in Alaska...I would sugest hot tea for you...suet for humans doesn't sound too yummy.
Stay warm and cozy,
Sherry

Anonymous said...

Sherry, winter looks so good at your house!

Anonymous said...

Hi Sherry, I gasped aloud at the first shot of the woodpecker. This type of bird photo is what I am striving for. I will be happy to gaze at yours though, wonderful, keep it up!
Frances

Anonymous said...

Wow! Those are great photos!

Q said...

Dear Fourwinds,
Thank you. I never mind winter if we have a few snow storms!
The birds keep me busy.
So nice to meet you.
I am looking forward to reading your journal.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Frances,
Red Bellied Woodpecker was so close I could have patted her.
She was hungry for those peanuts.
Keep taking photos one of these days you will gasp at your pictures! I love the birds and I think they like me okay...as long as I put the treats out they seem to tolerate me.
Thank you,
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Bug Girl, (membracid is a wonderful name too!)
Thank you.
I so enjoyed your post about "telling the bees".
I miss the bugs...
Sherry