What is a bird garden?

The garden is frozen. . . . . . . but there is still a welcome extended to all on our front porch.

No human footsteps have appeared on the pathway and up the front steps,

but the birds came to eat and drink. . . . . . and cheer up the ice cold

landscape yesterday, adding color and movement, and a few chirps

now and then when squabbling over a peanut or a place on a feeder.

Today they are back again and bringing life to the garden.

Here are more photos of our visitors taken later in the day yesterday when

 the light was better - but I still didn't venture out on the ice so they were

 taken through the windows.

Garden birds enjoy a wide range of food types. Most species can make 

their own meals on a variety of edibles from many sources. But all species 

require a water source, and that source has incredible drawing power. 

The backyard that offers a steady source of water, along with food and

 shelter, will always attract larger numbers and more species of bird life than

 the backyard that offers only food and shelter.

Male Northern Cardinal

Female Northern Cardinal

Mourning Dove & Pine Siskin

Blue Jay

Male Towhee

Female Towhee

Northern Flicker

Male House Finch

Female House Finch

Carolina Wren

Tufted Titmouse

Female Cardinal & Male House Finch. . . . sharing!

Pine Siskin - snow melting now and enjoying this morning's sunshine.

So, the snow didn't amount to much but the layer of ice remains on the streets this
 morning with temperatures staying below freezing, even plummeting to
 a low of zero degrees Fahrenheit tonight - our coldest night this winter so far.
Hopefully the garden birds will find a safe spot to spend the night, and 
tomorrow we'll be out again defrosting their precious water sources.

Many thanks for your comments on yesterday's wildlife photos.
Stay safe, and toasty warm, if you're in one the of the colder places on the planet!

Today is disappointing!

Up to nine inches of snow was expected.

At midnight I heard the sleet slapping against the windows.

At 6:30 AM I peeped through the blinds and saw a little white on the ground.

I went back to sleep hoping for more.

At 8:00 AM I was up, camera in hand, totally disappointed.

I saw branches bending over, and a layer of ice coating every surface,

 with just a shallow dusting of snow on top.

Fooled you!

 But lovely to see a pair of Eastern Bluebirds back at the suet feeder.

The always sweet Mourning Doves - later I poured warm water on the

 birdbaths to help melt the ice.

Many cardinals, male and female all over the garden today.

The Northern Flicker is back - first visit in a while.

One of the many 'furballs' inhabiting our garden and sharing gobbling the birdseed.

Grey squirrels - love 'em or hate 'em - they are cute, at times!

All creatures need food in this expected severe cold which will last several days.

All photos taken through the windows this morning - it's below freezing - but

guess what, it's actually snowing out there NOW as I go to post this!

Off to dig out my boots and recharge my batteries.

The body beautiful. . . . . . . . .

via  H&M

Sportswear 2017

I can't help but be impressed with H&M's new line of sportswear which showed
 up online this week - go check it out. Love their video, and all the pieces for
 both women and men look really cutting edge, functional. . . . . . .and affordable,
 something many of the high end athletic wear brands are not.

I'm long past the age of ever looking like this gorgeous gal, and could 
never get my body to do these moves.
BUT, I can still touch my toes without bending my knees, and walk a
 few miles for exercise! 
For that I'm extremely grateful.