Something in the winter air -

We've been treated to many beautiful sunrises during these winter months. 

I think today's stunning colors painting the morning sky were perhaps the 

loveliest to date. These really were the colors, I did not enhance them other

 than a wee bit of sharpening. I did throw on a robe and socks to hurry outside

 with a real camera while at the peak of color, and a better view than

 through a window. Sunrises don't last long!

The birds continued to hang out all day yesterday and are back

this morning.  

The Northern Mockingbird seems to have made itself at home. 

A quite large 10" bird, male and female are identical, and

 young males often sing at night and imitate other bird songs

 (vocal mimicry). Here in the Carolinas they are non-migrators

 enjoying insects, fruit and obviously seeds here on the front porch.

I've found them to be an easy bird to photograph as they stand still

long enough and are not skittish. 

I noted that the Mockingbird and Carolina wren seemed to enjoy being 
together - they are two of my favorite birds.

The cul-de-sac was a mess yesterday afternoon as vehicles turned the slush

into ruts and they froze overnight. This afternoon we are almost completely

clear of snow and ice - the temperature has warmed to a pleasant 50F with

 brilliant sunshine and blue skies.

Many thanks for the great comments on the bird photos of yesterday. 

I took so many - don't be surprised if more pop up here in the days

 to come!  I was happy to share them and I'm really pleased to know so

 many of you enjoy garden birds.

Off now to bake an apple and blackberry galette - we are cutting back

 on sugar and haven't had a real dessert for a week!

Snow Day means birds!

Yes, we have real snow this morning. Enough on the ground

to make tracks, attract wildlife looking for food and water, and

take photos of beautiful birds doing what birds do on a cold 

snowy morning.

I was up ready with my camera right after sunrise

Snow around here means birds. 

A lot of birds!

We prepared the feeding stations yesterday afternoon as it did

seem certain snow would fall last night.

Here's a list of the birds I've seen today. Male and female

 of most species, some the same color others total different, but

certainly an amazing array of colors and sizes, each enjoying their

choice of feeding, on the ground, on the seed and suet feeders, and

on the porch floor and porch rails outside the dining room window.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Black-capped Chickadee

Eastern Bluebird

 Northern Cardinal

Tufted Titmouse

Eastern Towhee

Carolina Wren 

Blue Jay

Mourning Dove

House Finch

Dark-eyed Junco

American Robin

Mockingbird

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown-headed Cowbird

Song Sparrow

House Sparrow

Pine Siskin

 

No, not a bird, but he's a really good vacuum cleaner after

they've eaten!

I took an awful lot of photos today, so many in fact I had a real problem 

with iCloud loading them on my laptop - some were from my iPhone, most 

from my camera which may have slowed the transfer down.

Anyway, here's a later than planned post with some of the birds who

 visited today - even if you're not really a huge bird lover, I think you might

 enjoy seeing them on a perfect winter's day.