No Respite from Winter

Alas, the whole of the United States seems to be reeling from one storm after another. For all of the anticipation heaped up by the media, when it finally reached us here in Vermont it was not too bad - about 10 inches (25cm), with some mixture late of sleet and freezing rain. The snow pack in the back yard is now 30 inches (75 cm).

The storm may not have been too bad for us, but I am getting tired of winter.

After the big flock moved through a few days ago, four Wild Turkeys are continuing in the near vicinity.

While eating lunch, I saw big black things high in the willow tree. We don't think of turkeys as flying machines, but they are quite adept.

The winter finches have moved elsewhere - no grosbeaks, redpolls, siskins. But the neighborhood residents are still present, including at least five cardinals ... and a Red-breasted Nuthatch returned briefly to the suet.

Northern Cardinal, female

Northern Cardinal, male

Red-breasted Nuthatch