Roxie hates to go out in the dark (or the rain or the cold), but as a Good Dog given adequately stern instruction, she will gingerly tip-toe her way out the path into the woods by herself to do her business. When she’s done, she bolts full-tilt back into the house. If we didn’t stand aside we could get bowled over.
Eastern Goldfinch
Usually our most plentiful feeder visitors.
Slate-colored Junco
We may see even more juncos than goldfinches.
Red-winged Blackbird
Was he expecting to find spring in Virginia?
We’ve seen them regularly at the pond at the other end of Harwill Drive, but not in the winter, and never at home at all until this snowstorm when two of them came to our feeders. Only the male is the distinctive black with epaulets. Cornell Lab of Ornithology says “Females are a subdued, streaky brown, almost like a large, dark sparrow.”
Common Grackle
We had a couple of common grackles at our feeders during this snowstorm, but I wasn’t quick enough with the camera. We’ve never had them at home before. They were big, black, with a very dark blue head, and their eyes were yellow.
The smaller of the two
The smaller of the two big oaks we had to have taken down is now split and stacked ready for next winter. That dog just won’t stand still!
Waiting for spring
Snow day
Through the kitchen window at lunchtime during the snowstorm which closed schools at least three days. We only got three inches (Elspeth and Tim got six) followed by unusually low temperatures for the rest of the week. An opportunity to snap both the male and female cardinals at once — my Kodak Easyshare, hand-held, on maximum optical zoom.
Our biggest red oak tree is no more
We had it taken down last week for fear insect infestation had weakened the base enough to threaten the house. Two days of rain and mist followed.
Dead Ahead Ohio
Gareth’s limited edition tee shirt as seen on ebay