Saturday, January 31, 2009

Snow. Snow. Snow.

We've got about 8-10 inches on the ground and it c.o.l.d. here. While the snow is much prettier than brown fields, Sugar has decided she doesn't like it all that much.





Sunday, January 18, 2009

Squirrels!

Yesterday I wrote this:


The fox squirrel doesn't seem as interested in the peanuts as he is in the fermented crab apples on a tree near the feeder. Really, I don't blame him.


Today, one of the squirrels is still into the apples:


But the others must have read this blog and thought to themselves, "why, exactly aren't we eating from those feeders?"




Saturday, January 17, 2009

Baby it's cold outside!

Well, today it is going to be 27, which is quite warm. Yesterday was 7 and the day before that was 2. (The forecast was for 1 degree -- ONE degree -- for Thursday.)

The cold weather has brought gobs of birds to the feeder and Bill is off at our favorite store, (Tractor Supply!!), getting some more.

We've put our Christmas tree out in the feeder area to provide some extra cover, which seems to be appreciated.


The juncos and tree sparrows, however, are still cold and fluffy.


The sparrow is even willing to try some of the goldfinches' thistle.

We also put out some stale peanuts we've had sitting around since the summer. The blue jays have been coming in an orderly fashion and flying off with them one at a time.

The fox squirrel doesn't seem as interested in the peanuts as he is in the fermented crab apples on a tree near the feeder. Really, I don't blame him.


Stay warm!!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Feeder visitor!


What's it? I think it is an Ivory Billed Woodpecker!!!

Fire!

We sah-ho do not have enough wood to last us the winter. Our fabulous, glorious wood pile of old is down to sad, sad scraps. While I partially blame this tragedy on a ridiculously early winter (like really early not just we've-been-living-in-DC-so-we-think-"winter"-is-a-week-or-two-in-January early), we also did not cut nearly enough wood. We've been selecting the best candidates for next year and will be chopping trees as soon as it gets warm.

We've also imposed rationing - no fire unless its below 20. Which means...WARM SOCKS! This pattern is called "Flame wave" and the yarn was dyed by Bill's former co-worker and fellow blogger, Julia (she also grows orchids and has the fluffiest bunny on the planet). I LOVE the yarn and can't put it down. I want to lick it.