Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Wednesday’s Wanderings. #28
Good morning everyone! It’s cloudy and cool here this morning. It was clear earlier, but those dark storm clouds have been steadily moving in and now they cover the whole sky. Storm warnings have been issued for our area. I think it’s safe to say that today we officially say good bye to fall and hello to winter. The snow is to begin later today and taper off to flurries on Friday. In between that comes winter. The birds are very busy this morning which is normal before a storm. I’m glad the juncos decided to leave when they did, they had lots of time to get further south before the storm.
The purple finches left at the same time, I was hoping they would stay around for the winter, but I guess they didn’t like the idea. But, they don’t always stay the winter, they are a bit unpredictable that way, like a lot of the finches. Most of the evening grosbeaks have gone too, there is about 30 of them out there this morning, down from their high of more than 100. But the smaller birds are increasing in numbers slightly. There are about 2 dozen chickadees now, 4 white-breasted nuthatches and 3 red-breasted nuthatches. My lone pine siskin seems to have gone too, plus the redpolls.
The redpolls never did come down to the feeders though. This storm should bring in more birds from the north, such as more redpolls and pine grosbeaks. And perhaps some Bohemian waxwings too. Although the neighbors cherry tree doesn’t have many berries this year and that’s the main attraction for the waxwings. Jasper is running around through the trees right now. He must be out for his morning exercise. Sometimes I think he likes running around through those trees just for fun. He runs back and forth along the same routes, and he is by himself, so he is not chasing or being chased by anyone. The grosbeaks had flown away for whatever reason, and they sometimes don’t need a reason, they just fly, but they are back again filling the feeders once more.
Now suddenly everything is quiet again, all the birds are gone this time, even the blue jays. Not a movement of any bird out there. I can’t see anything though, but there must be some danger around, something that even scares the blue jays. Happened yesterday too, the blue jays suddenly squawked loudly, then everything was quiet. Of course this has been going on for some time now, but it’s late in the season for any hawks to be around, except one called the goshawk. That’s another bird hawk and our largest of that group. Oh well. I must go for this morning, but I will be back again later. Have a wonderful day everyone and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
©2021 Steve McLeod.
Steve`s Country 
Have a good day!! Stay warm🥶 becareful if you go in the snow!😬😁😁
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Just a little rain right now, heavy snow on the way tonight!😳🙀
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It will look pretty when it’s falling!!😁😁
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Not when it’s a snowstorm, comes down too fast. Lazy falling snowflakes here and there are pretty. Kinda.🙄
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I suppose you’re right..
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Thank you.😁
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You’re Welcome!!😁😁
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More fabulous photos though I’m sorry to hear winter has arrived.
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Thanks Sheree!😁 It has started to snow now and everything is turning white.😳❄❄☃
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I bet it looks so pretty
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It changed to rain and melted the snow, but more is coming starting in about 3 hours.
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🥶
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The heavy snow has started…we have two inches , but will increase overnight…you have lovely pics of some of your birds, very clear ! ☕️☕️🙂😻🌨❄️🛷⛷
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Thank you! It was snowing here, but stopped and turned to rain.🤔☕☕😻☃☃❄❄
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I guess Jasper was taking your advice to get in better shape…
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Hmm, perhaps that’s it. He was having fun in the snow this morning.
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I’m glad Jasper likes the snow; he’s living in a good place then!
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Yes, squirrels love to tunnel through the snow and even slide down little hills and tree branches. I have seen Jasper do this too, and other squirrels. They are quite playful little animals.
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nice to know that they have some fun in the snow…
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Yes indeed, although they are not quite so happy looking once the weather gets cold.
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neither am I…
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Yes, it sure changes things.
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Bird activity may be fluctuating, but I hope the snow chases that dreaded bear inside.
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Yes, I think the bear problems should be gone now until spring.
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