Good morning everyone on this beautiful, chilly Saturday! The sun is shining brilliantly making the snow blindingly bright. The feeders are busy this morning with lots of evening grosbeaks, plus the chickadees, both species of nuthatches and the blue jays. I haven’t seen the woodpeckers yet, but they may have been here. The 2 crows were here first thing for their breakfast. Then I don’t see them the rest of the day normally, which is fine, I don’t really want them to stay around as they scare all the other birds away. Much like the rock doves, which were here this morning again, though only 2 of them.

So we had a battle for half an hour and they finally gave up and left. There were a couple pine grosbeaks yesterday here yesterday for quite a while in the afternoon. I haven’t seen them yet this morning. The redpolls were here as well, yesterday, and again I have not seen them yet today. A couple bald eagles were flying around here yesterday morning and again this morning, perhaps looking for something to eat, or perhaps a deer was killed by a train. That happens quite often here. Then any ravens and eagles in the area go and clean it up.

Crows, magpies and even Canada jays and blue jays will help out if there is room for them. Scavengers play an important role in maintaining a healthy forest. By cleaning up dead animals they prevent disease from taking over and spreading to other animals. It has suddenly become very quiet outside, no birds around at all. Quite interesting how they will all disappear at the same time. It’s understandable when a predator is around, but it sometimes happens for no apparent reason. Winter has been here for just 10 days now, yet it seems like summer is just a distant dream. Something that isn’t even real. I used to like, even enjoy, winter.

I enjoyed going snowshoeing through the forest, making paths that would then freeze solid which could then be walked on normally, just like a sidewalk. Until it snowed again, then I would be back out with my snowshoes. And I would constantly add to the length of my trails. And I would get myself into trouble sometimes too. Although I have never liked cold weather, it didn’t really bother me much back then either, unlike now. Brilliant sunshine. The chickadees and nuthatches are back and I see a couple blue jays as well. I should put out more peanuts and get myself some coffee, and I hear the dryer is now finished as well so it is time to get my clothes put away. I hope you have a beautiful Saturday everyone and God bless!

Steve and Muffin.

©2021 Steve McLeod.