Snow Birds

Yesterday we had a real snowfall - about 12 inches. Except for snow-blowing the drive and helping a neighbor get a vehicle out of his drive, it was a good day to den up. But the feeders were active and a few photos were required, although the conditions were difficult - dark gray skies, heavy snow falling, and dirty kitchen window to shoot through - I managed a few keepers.

About 15 Blue Jays are regulars at the feeders. Occasionally they will rest/perch in a tree. Only a brief pause for this jay, but the snow was already forming a cap.

The jays often shovel the seeds from the feeders, providing ground feeders with plenty of forage. This one had to excavate the accumulating snow to find seeds. I had cleared the platform less than an hour earlier.

Dark-eyed Junco - the "snow bird" of our region. A flock of about 50 feed through the day.

Only a couple of feet from the house, the female Northern Cardinal posed nicely. I keep trying for a good, crisp photo of the male, but without success. Maybe his uniform red blurs detail, or perhaps he is just too skittish to hold still for a good portrait, or maybe I just haven't figured out how to photograph him - whatever, I have yet to get a picture I am willing to make public. I'll just have to keep trying.

Good birding!