Winter Solstice

One more day for 12/21, Winter Solstice, when winter begins and the day begins to lengthen.  It is written as 冬至(winter arrival in Japanese and Chinese)、often referred to 一陽来復 (the sun returns in Chinese).

The other day the sky was clear and I was out bundled up behind the camouflage curtain out on the patio.  Although it was still a bit dark, a little Ruby-crowned Kinglet just arrived.

"Good morning.  I'm a bit early today."

"I'm very hungry."

"Peek-a-boo in the early dawn!"