Midweek Coffee! #31

Posted on December 21, 2022 by

31 Comments

Good morning to all of you on this very cold Wednesday! It was -40 this morning, a temperature which is the same for degrees F and C. That is just too cold for me. I was out there getting the new snow cleared off the deck, only half an inch (1.25cm), but I like to keep it cleared off so it does not build up and get slippery. Plus I cleaned the snow off the bird feeders and made sure everything was ready for the little birds.

Those poor birds in this weather. They hop onto the suet feeder and pound away trying to get some of it off that very solidly frozen chunk of suet. Then they jump down onto the railing to sit down over their feet to warm them for a while, then back to the suet. Those are the red-breasted nuthatches. They spend most of their time on the suet in this cold weather. But they still eat some sunflower seeds too.

Male pine grosbeak from last winter.

The chickadees spend most of their time eating sunflower seeds, but will also go to the suet for some quick energy. They also sit down over their feet. But they do not take much of a break, they have to keep eating all day in this weather. This is day 3 of our coldest weather so far this winter. And there are a few more days coming up before it warms up a bit next week. Good thing it is cloudy, or it might really get cold. In the winter, clouds help to keep it milder. Usually.

A squirrel actually came by yesterday afternoon. Quite late really. It was not Jasper, or any of the other normal squirrels, this one was someone new. He looked rather cold too. I gave him some peanuts and he ate 3 of them before leaving. The other day a shrike came along and grabbed one of my chickadees and took it over to a bush to eat it. The blue jays did not like that too much so they sent out a call to the other blue jays in the area until there was 12 of them out here.

Female pine grosbeak from last winter.

Then the top male blue jay went after the shrike, but he would not leave. So the second male blue jay joined in. Still the shrike did not leave. Then the third male blue jay went after it. Still nothing. Then the fourth male blue jay joined the group. That was too much for the shrike so he flew off with those 4 blue jays chasing him. They must have chased him a long distance, it was a while before they came back.

I tossed an extra cup of peanuts out for the blue jays which they hauled away quickly. Only 4 of the blue jays stay around when it gets this cold and they are gone by 2pm. The shrike has learned this too, so he likes to show up after that time. Junior showed up yesterday. He has not been around for a few days. He stomps on the wood platform at the bottom of the stairs to let me know he is here.

I think it was a bit windy when I took this picture of the chickadee.

So I go out to say “hi” to him. He always enjoys “taking” things from me too. A deer that steals. Imagine that. But he is nice and friendly though. I hope he comes back today so I can get more pictures of him. Well, I hope you all have a wonderful day and God bless!

Steve and Muffin.

©2022 Steve McLeod.

Category: Beauty, Birds, Coffee, Cold, Fun, Happiness, Photos, Positive, Uncategorized, WinterTags: , , , , , , , , ,

31 Comments on “Midweek Coffee! #31”

  1. Brrr! Steve, I can the Arctic cold in your post. While Columbus, Ohio will experience its coldest Christmas Day in about 40 years, I’ve seen much worse from my years in Montana. Stay warm and safe.

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    • Yes, this cold is going way down south this time, all the way from Siberia! At least it warmed up to -20 today, which is still not very warm. Good hot chocolate weather, after starting with coffee that is! It is not very warm inside even! Have a great evening! 😊😺🌛🥶❄️☕☕

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  3. Only experienced this twice in my life, once in Alaska, and once in Harbin, China. -40 IS COLD!!
    It always amazes me that cold-blooded birds can survive that weather!! God knew what he was doing when He created them.
    ❤️&🙏, c.a.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Yes indeed, those little birds were created right to allow survival in this cold climate. Those little chickadees can lower the temp in their legs to save energy and at night they lower their heart rate to also save energy which allows them to survive our long cold nights. During the day they must eat constantly to survive. One slight correction though, they are warm blooded. Have a great day C.A.!😊😺❄️❄️🥶🥶☕☕

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  5. Yes , we got the cold weather too ! I take it that the chickadee did not survive 😥 sad ! I hope it gets warmer by Christmas Day ! Try to keep warm Steve and Muffin ! 😻🙂🥶🎄

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    Reply

    • No, once the shrike catches the bird, that is it, they don’t survive. Still supposed to be cold here on Christmas day. Muffin and I are keeping each other warm! 😊😻❄️❄️🎄

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