February 26, 2010 - 1
We've seen such a incredible amount of snow here this season that we've been able to make a few simple, but interesting backyard snow-related observations. Tree branches that are still bare after a snowfall may be the ones used most frequently by the birds, as the snow will fall from a branch each time a bird takes off or lands on one. The falling and settling snow is gentle on it's short journey from bow to earth and even artistic at times as it falls with seeming grace and beauty. Nature is beautiful in so many ways when there is snow. I've also found that the cage-style peanut feeder will sometimes fill with snow when it runs low on peanuts. Strangely enough, the birds will continue to visit the feeder even when it is full of snow which is hilarious to see. And finally, even after a previous rebuilding, this week's warm temperatures left last week's Festive Snowman Fred looking more like Freddy Kruger! More on this later.Meanwhile, the nights are still getting shorter and the days are growing longer. Sunrise occurred in the backyard this morning at 6:38. Sunset will arrive at 5:48 this evening. Having gained an unprecedented 21 minutes this week, we're up to 11 hours and 10 minutes of increasingly abundant sunlight each day! And, believe it or not, we're just three weeks and a day away from Spring! Get out your party hats... and gloves, too!
Backyard Tip of the week: Nature is beautiful in many ways when there is snow. Try to get out and play in your backyard while the otherwise bleak winter landscape is so strikingly covered in it's temporary white glory. Even a few minutes spent walking around outside can provide your soul with a much needed break from any cabin fever or end of the season doldrums you may be experiencing. See if you can spare a few moments to enjoy nature in all of it's glorious winter finery one day soon. Try it, you're sure to love it!
Backyard sightings for last week: Including northern cardinals, dark-eyed juncos, blue-jays, brown creepers, song sparrows, tree sparrows, white-throated sparrows. American robins, Carolina wrens, Carolina chickadees, catbirds, mockingbirds, house finches, goldfinches, purple finches, pine siskins. Red-bellied and downy woodpeckers, yellow-bellied sapsuckers. Northern flickers, white-breasted nuthatches, tufted titmice, starlings, grackles, mourning doves, crows, and a squirrel that was hungry enough to come out of it's hole for a while during yesterday's snowstorm.
Continued on next page...
February 26, 2010 Part 2 - Cool Sighting
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