A Snowy Day Visitor

It snowed on the Christmas Eve and stayed cold for a week. Some snow stayed for a while due to the low temperature.

A Varied Thrush arrived here the other day, a sign of the real cold weather.  It was pecking on the ground looking for food under the fruit trees in the backyard.

"I always stop over here when the weather gets very cold with snow."

" I am full.  It's time to go back."

Naughty Ones

In my neighborhood, some people have chickens running around in their backyard.  No roosters are allowed within the city limits here.   One day our neighbor's chicken escaped, first jumping onto the top of the fence, walking on the top of the fence and then landing onto my backyard. 

First there was one chicken under my old fruit trees.

"I can smell the bird seeds here."

Then, two chickens got together.

"A good place to look for food."

Finally three chickens altogether landed here.

"A new playground for us."

Later, we had to ask the neighbor to pick up his naughty chickens.

A Little Bird

I've been waiting for the Winter Solstice on December 21, when the day begins to be longer and lighter. 

During the winter months, one of the smallest birds, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet,  stops by.

"I am showing my crown a little today."

"I've never been close to the bird bath before."

"I always like to nibble the suet here."

Sunny and Cold

A clear sky for a week  means to be very cold,  around 17 degrees F (15 degrees below the freezing).  But something good happens on a nice day:    

1)  A beautiful sunrise

2)  Cooper's Hawk perched at a nearby maple tree branch for a good snapshot.

3)  A Bushtit came and said hello.

"Hi, I like your suet."

No Much Food Around

In the low winter temperature in the Northwest, most of the wild food is gone.  So the wildlife need to eat even sour berries in my backyard.

Anna's Hummingbird, female:  "I know this is not sweet, but I can find a bug around here."

Spotted Towhee, male:  "These are still berries, but sour berries."

Gray Squirrel:  "These are called Beauty Berries.  I will try them, too."