My Lucky Day & the Downy Woodpecker

Yesterday, this little guy was at the suet feeder that hangs from the oak tree in the front yard. Usually, the least little noise makes the downy woodpeckers fly away. I opened the front door before I realized he was there. He didn't seem to notice. So I got my camera. My next problem was the storm door, which makes noise when it opens. I slowly opened it, holding my breath with each squeak. Since the feeder is directly across the walkway from the front door, I had to hold the door open with my foot to attempt a shot. It was then that I realized the afternoon sun made it almost impossible to see in the little camera screen. I took many shots in the hopes that some of them would be good ones. I couldn't believe that he stayed there. He was happy eating the suet and I was happy I got a couple of good photos. I'd say it was my lucky day!!

It Snowed!

We had our first snow on Tuesday, the 20th. There was only an inch or two accumulation. Since it remained cold for a few days, the snow coated the ground until Thanksgiving. It seems snow and cold temperatures made the birds very hungry. They were flitting back and forth between the bird feeders and the trees all day.


It was later in the day when I took these photos so it was getting dusk and the birds had gone, except for one little chickadee. He traveled between the feeder and the birch tree in the photo above. He must have been feeling a little insecure. Instead of flying directly between the two, he would disappear into the small pines in the walkway to emerge a few minutes later.




It was a bit chilly in the house. Oscar, our dachshund, pulled a couch pillow down over himself. His way of saying, "Turn up the heat!"