Wind Storm and Power Outage

The weather warmed up after the cold spell before  Christmas.  The rain returned with the wind.  We had power outage.  

"I am sorry to hear that."

"What?  You did not have the power.  Oh my god."

"Well, I am glad you are back to normal now.  Ta, ta."

That day the power went out at 2:00pm.  Usually it comes back in a few hours around here.

But this time it was different. We used a head light during the night and next morning we got up around 6:00 am.   Still it was out.  We walked to a nearby supermarket (15 min walk one way) to pick up some food and for a warm coffee.  The power finally came back around 11:00am, making it about 21 hours of power outage.   Now we have to appreciate electricity more than ever before.

 

The Day is Longer Now

 One winter sunrise.  The day is getting longer now.

Cold Crisp Morning 👍

Red-breasted Nuthatch visits my backyard every day and all day long.

"Munch, munch, munch.  Busy...😋😋😋"

"I have to eat the suet at every meal.  Yeah!😍😍💪"

Cold Winter Morning

On a cold day,   we visited the wetland.  The sun was out and gradually warming up the air.

Bald Eagle:  "I like this crisp air."

Great Blue Heron:  "I like to walk on the frosty ground."

Trumpeter Swan:  "We like to fly in the clear sky."

(The second from the left  has a bit of yellow on the beak.  

This  must be a Tundra Swan amongst Trumpeter Swans.)

 

New Birds

Ten years ago when I started watching birds, I did not come to the wetland often.  Now I come here whenever the weather is nice.  I see many waterfowl during the cold months. 

On a sunny day in December, I saw a male Bufflehead👀😀 at the wetland.

"I come here once in a while."

"I do not come here often.  But I am a male Canvasback👀😄."

This winter, I have already seen the Hooded Merganser a few times here. 

(My blog friend in Japan said he has not seen it  there, though his bird book lists it.)

"I am a rare bird in Japan.  I make sure I am away from the shore and the people for safety👀😁😁."

Pretty Junco

We had several days of rain and hails.☂

When the air became all clear,  Oregon Junco came to visit my backyard👍.

Junco, female:  "I like the sunny morning.😄😄"

Junco, male:  "What a nice day!😊"

A Bright Ruby-crown

 In our backyard, several winter birds are here now.  One of them is Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

"Look at my bright ruby-crown!👍👍👀"

"I come here often during the cold months😋."

"I am very swift💨.  You rarely can take a picture!😁😍"

Winter is Here.

 The cold weather has arrived here.  The first frost is on the blueberry leaves.

Anna's Hummingbird:  "It is getting very cold here."

At the wetland nearby,   many waterfowl are on the water.  Here are  Green-winged Teals.

"It is fun to be back here for winter."

Mallards:  "We are around here all the time.  Just take a nice photo of us."