Curious Chickadees

I was walking the paths today and two chickadees were chattering nearby. They seemed to be watching me (as I've seen them do before), and they came quite close. Later on, when I had the camera with me, I got this shot of one as he was going in for some birdseed.

As much as I enjoy the return of the red-wings (and other summer residents), I'm happy that the cheerful, little chickadees are year-round residents. I hope these cute, brave little birds will nest in our yard this year. Our first year here, before I started the blog, I had them in a nest box I'd attached to the barn. I've since moved it, but, perhaps I should get another one for there.

Red-wing & Robins

I've been keeping my eye out for the first red-wing blackbird of the year. Finally, on my drive in to work Friday morning, I spotted a male among the trees and shrubs along the highway where there is a field with a pond. Each year, I will try to document the first I see...it seems they are early this year--not really a surprise with how mild it has been.

This morning I saw a few robins in the yard. While trying to focus the camera, I missed a great shot of a robin pulling a worm from the ground.

What a Difference a Day Makes

...Well, two days, really.

It snowed today while I was at work. I think is only the second snow we had this month--and if it were not "leap day" we'd have only had one significant snow in February. The drive home reminded me how beautiful snow can be--and reminded me that we need more evergreens in our yard.

That Time of Year Again

I'm a week late...at least based on the past two years. The other day, I finally planted the wildflower seeds I'd collected...and some that a friend sent me. Thanks Glenn.

Last year when I got around to planting my seeds, I realized that it was exactly one year ago to the day that I planted my first batch. Without checking the date until today, I figured it had passed. No biggie, I'm just glad I'm getting them done before it gets too warm--I want them to experience the freezing and thawing that should help them germinate.

With such mild weather, I thought I'd have planted them over Christmas break, but I never got around to it. After planting them, I realized I didn't see any of the "magic ingredient" around. Not that I'm superstitious, but I'd covered the last two batches with snow--partly so it would melt and water them and partly to help prevent birds from getting at them (not that I expect them to go after them). Surprisingly, after looking around the front (north facing) yard, I found a little bit of snow from where I'd shoveled the sidewalk.

Here's hoping I'll have a lot to plant come this spring--or fall (remember, I'm a procrastinator...and didn't get them planted until very late this year).