A Winter Day

Hello, Dear Friends, I hope that you are staying warm and cozy 

while we count the days to spring. 

We are in the full throes of winter, here in Washington State;

 in between storms that have left us with 

deep snow and some very hungry birds. 

I don't feed the birds any longer, 

due to rodents and predators, but when 

the snow is deep, I help them along for a while. 

Here we have one of our most colorful birds, 

a Varied Thrush. They are one of my favorites 

with their chubby bodies, black masks and reedy calls. 

Typically, we only see these in fall and winter, as they prefer 

the higher altitudes for nesting. 

We also have sizable flocks of smaller birds, including Dark-eyed Juncos. 

They are very sweet, but have a rigid pecking order. 

My American Eskimo dogs, Whitey Bear and Kai,

 love the snow and happily romp and play. 

We also have a special guest for 2 weeks. 

This is my daughter's new Dachshund pup, 'Lovey'. 

She is very sweet, but not fully potty-trained, 

so we are taking lots of walks in the snow. 

It's nice to come inside and warm up by the fire

with a hot cup of coffee or tea. 

Ramblin' Man keeps the woodbox full. 

It's amazing how fast we get used to colder 

temperatures and can quickly feel overheated! 

Even though it is very cold, it is quite pretty. 

We get one or two snow events every winter, 

but it normally melts quickly, as our weather patterns come

from the south Pacific. (California and Hawaii)

Every now and then, the patterns change,

and we get a cold blast from Alaska and Canada

that hangs around.

It virtually shuts everything down. 

Our Anna's Hummingbirds reside here year round and 

it is a challenge to keep them fed in the cold. 

 I take in their feeders at night,

to keep them from freezing, then get up at first light to set them back out. 

If it is very cold, I have to bring them inside every 2 hours 

 to defrost them in warm water. 

I am like a mother hen, worrying and fussing over them. 

They fly around my head as I hang the feeders, 

as they have become quite tame.

Or.....they are trying to attack me. 

I can't tell which! haha! 

So far I haven't lost an eye.....

It was only 2 weeks ago that I was outside 

working in the gardens......

There are still plenty of berries on the holly trees 

to feed the robins, and I can hear them gossiping as they feed. 

Winter will be over before we know it, 

so I am trying to enjoy it while I can.

I know that on some future long, hot summer day, 

I will think of these cool, frosty times

with wistful longing.  

"A gardener must not feel sorry for himself, even in winter, 

and no matter how great the cause."

-Henry Mitchell-

The Essential Earthman (1981)

Today I am linking with:
Saturday's Critters

Thank you for joining me, Dear Friends!

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xoxo