Sharp-shinned Hawk

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Photo taken through the window. Predators have to eat as well as songbirds, and feeding songbirds means that I will feed a hawk from time to time.

Best friends

Best friends

Kendal and his best friend, the wall furnace (behind his head), which is cycling on about every eight minutes.

Downy woodpecker

Downy woodpecker

Photo is a little blurry due to being shot through the living room window.

Surviving

Surviving

I am at home today, witnessing the songbirds and their struggle to survive this awful cold. I feel like it is my duty to do what is necessary to help. So I am being very generous with the sunflower seed, scattering it wholesale over the snow-covered ground. There is a new suet cake in the suet feeder and I have broken another up into small pieces then scattered it on the ground. This House finch is one of many, as well as juncos, doves, blue jays, and the odd crow staying close to the feeder.

There will be a die-off and I cannot change the simple, terrible fact that some songbirds, predators, wildlife will die. It is the way of life. At least I can help a little.

Dinner

The blur on the right is Achilles heeding the call of ‘Is it time for puppers?’ Stella waits in the living room as she has been trained to do.

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Achilles

I caught Chili Dog just as he looked up at me after dropping his fire hose squeeky toy. Did not realize his snout was wrinkled until I saw the photo.

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Snow blower

That is what the wind is today. A snow shower turned the day as gloomy and bleak as this photo suggests, visibility dropped to around 150 meters. And yet I am safe, inside, now I see blue sky, watery sun.

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Snowplow in a fur suit

During a break in today’s snowfall, we walked the dogs. Faye took Kendal on his own stroll (he’s doing well) then we took the cattle dogs on a long walk. Stella did a little snow removal.

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Beer on the deck

Beer on the deck

It was a pleasant enough day to sit outside for a spell. We do not need no stinkin beach to enjoy a beer outside.

Cold

Cold

Today is comparatively balmy, about -4C, with a south wind. High and midlevel clouds will move in this afternoon, presaging the next assault of snow tomorrow (currently predicted to be around 15C) and brutal, bitter cold Monday and Tuesday. We will take advantage of and appreciate the mild weather today.