Today I saw two Towhees, most likely a He and a She.....
But never together.....these Towhees.....
.....do they dine on their sunflower seeds!
This winter....
my Carolina Wren is very plump and round.....
(all photos enlarge)
...from all the suet with blueberries.....gifts to be found.
This Goldfinch, who is hiding his face from the chilling wind.....
...can usually be found.....dining with many friends!
There are times the squirrels
attack the temporary feeder on the back porch...
used in winter when there's snow coverage on the ground.
This Cardinal looks a little bothered by the intruder....
...while others wait patiently.....all around!
It's a constant happening all day.....
...birds flying in and out.....on their wintry way!
This Downy Woodpecker is a regular visitor.....
.....he is often seen dining at the suet tray!
His friend...the similar looking Hairy Woodpecker...
also comes each and every day!
My back porch stays quite busy.....
all the birds.....from my camera can't hide.
.....when the snow and frigid weather come calling...
I don't mind that it keeps me inside!
I take photos from an upstairs window.....
of the view.....if there's nothing else about!
But usually there's deer or turkey.....
always following their most favorite routes!
Like the deer....
sometimes I venture out very early....
....sometimes I find only fox tracks in a row.....
but they lead me to some in abundance...
because deer like to play in the snow!
There's always foot prints to follow.....
something small walked the length of this tree....
one that was cut early last summer....
someday small logs it will be.
Unlike these....that fall across paths on my way.....
Crossing over....just adds more exercise to my day!
And in that path.....what else did I find?
Something left by a DEER friend of mine!
My friend the skunk....
with the burrow on the side of the hill.....
......that I followed last winter.....
uses it still.
Snow makes everything look artistic....
even grapevines and storm damaged trees.
Fenceposts turn into snow cones and ice creams....
.....while the boards look like a cake lover's dream.
On this morning.....
the sun was casting a rosy glow....
but believe me...
....a temperature of 6 degrees was freezing my toes....
....so back inside.....I felt I should go....
I followed my own footsteps...left in the snow!
How do Herhusband and I spend our winter days?
He makes roaring fires....
.....while I make the food
and add parsley.....to dull looking plates!
1. Salmon - Red Peppers - Spinach Lasagna
2. Veg. Sausage - Rice Pilaf - Braised Cauliflower
3. Baked Chicken & Potato with Cottage Cheese & Carrots
Desserts are Healthy!!!!
1. Fresh Apple Walnut Cake with toppings of...
Blackberry Jam or Light Whipped Cream
2. Banana Cream Pie- made with soy milk and fresh bananas...
and a dusting of flax seed meal!
That's some of my winter day activities!
I know under all that snow is Spring!
~ ♥ Wanda ♥ ~
82 comments:
What amazing bird shots ...how wonderful to have such a variety comming to visit you ...and such pretty ones at that ...thanks for dropping by my blog xx
What an array of birds you have; so pretty and...the squirrel shot has just popped up enlarged on my screen...the cheeky little thing.
It's all so magical but I'll bet you're just urging spring on...keep warm!
Thank you , Wanda, for that final view of the curving lane - now buried under snow. I think I'm the Goldfinch - burying her face from the freezing cold. Your desserts still tempt me - I knew your delicious healthy cooking would prevail to help your husband heal. I love the fenceposts, the tracks in the snow, and the birds. We have much to be thankful for - I think of you daily.
A beautiful post, Wanda. I am envious of all the wonderful birds you have in your backyard, much as I love the little finches and chickadees that live with us. We have no colourful glamour during the winter months, - an occasional hawk or eagle. Herhusband is lucky to have such an accomplished cook in the kitchen.
Goodness! You need to publish a book! Your photos are as good as Peterson's. We do so love watching the birds as well. The cardinals are so striking in the winter against the snow. Lovely, lovely, lovely . . . and the meals? I grow fatter looking at them.
It's all so beautiful, from the snowscapes to the birds, from the winter walk to the fireside meals. Almost makes me want snow!
Those cardinals are so pretty against the snow, and the woodpeckers are spectacular. Great bird shots, as well as all that snow!
Glad you are enjoying our summer photos, I am finding your winter photos just as delightful.
You live in the midst of a winter wonderland! I love the photos of your bird friends.
Well done capturing those shots. I like the Hairy Woodpecker most this time, and I'm going to look for the Banana Cream Pie recipe, now! Wonderful that you recognise the individual regular bird visitors.
Your snow looks so much cleaner than ours :)
The cardinal photos are my favorites. There's just something about the punch of color they inject into the black & white winter scene that excites me.
As always, your meals look so appetizing and nourishing!
I'd SO enjoy sitting in front of your fire and wish you and your family many sweet evenings there.
(The tracks on the log were especially interesting. Looks like a critter practicing an exercise on a balance beam!)
As lovely as it all looks Wanda, I hear a hint that you are longing for spring too! I am glad to hear from you. I have been wondering how you and your honey were doing!
Jake and I saw a Robin yesterday!
Love Di ♥
Thank you for including my favorite bird, the Towhees. I had tons of them in Florida and loved their industrious scratchings. I have yet to see one here.
When I see your shots in the woods, I realize what is missing at my place, the woods and decent snows. What a wonderful place to walk.
So glad you husband is doing better. Marvelous food by a roaring fire is great medicine.
Good Morning Wanda,
We are expecting 6+ inches of snow today. I will warm in my home and painting cabinets.
Love the wonderful bird photos..Towhee's are a favorite.
Of course I adore my wrens...my little one is spending her nights in my garage again this year..I love it!
Be well and have a piece of Apple cake for me.
Janet xox
The little woodpeckers are so cute and pretty. I hear them in our little woods, but rarly see them. They can make quite a racket. I Enjoyed our walk this morning. The sun, the birds, the tracks - glad we didn't run into the skunk friend. lol....great post as usual...debbie
What a beautiful and magical walk you took us on. I loved all the pictures, but the frosting topped fence was my favorite today.
I always come here to find peace.
Thank you for the gift of this blog.
You are a wonder.
I loved every moment of this day, Wanda, the snow, the birdlife, and such a wonderful meal before that roaring fire. Thanks.
I love your blog, the photography is just beautiful. I will be retired on the 17th of February, and am so looking forward to doing so many things, including photography.
It's really beautiful here, Wanda! 'Makes me not hate Winter so much.
As pretty as Winter is, I am getting really tired of it. But looking at the untouched snow, still so beautiful in your photos would make me feel that it would be okay for it to stay awhile longer.
But on these city streets it looks so ugly, all that brown slush. I could never do a 'pretty picture' post of that!
It's snowing now again, so it will look pretty for an hour or so anyway. I better get out and shovel again before I have to get Jayden.
Loved visiting here and I can't get over all those beautiful birds that come to feed! And I love how they look all plumped up! So cute!
Your property and surrounding woods is such a Winter Wonderland! Enjoy!
Love to you,
Eileen
PS ~ 'LOVED the food photos too! And thanks for some great menu ideas!
Oh Wanda, you do such a beautiful job of making the world more beautiful for all of us. Your bird shots are terrific and could appear in any bird book. And you have so many different birds and so many of them. How wonderful!
I am glad to her husband is doing well. How could he not?
You must spend a lot of time cooking and baking all those goodies? And such healthy foods too.
Thanks again, Wanda. You must be a lovely person.
I, too have chubby birds under my feeder. They won't let me photograph them outside - so I make do from a window. You make winter almost do-able with your lovely photos and throughts of spring. The luscious food and roaring fire helps!
Lovely. Looks like the birds are being well taken care of by you. It has been a tough season for them. The fire in the fireplace looks very inviting. That's where I like to spend my time during these cold months.
What a winter wonderland and what cute birds. I have never seen so many different birds in one place. It's so nice of you to feed them.
What great shots!!! I always love coming here. It's so welcoming and comforting.
Thank you Wanda! I do hope herhusband is doing well too :)
xoxo, Lisa
And those Steve's ya...you must be right: They are special :)
Another beautiful blog with amazing pictures!
Gorgeous pictures. How blessed I was to come here, today.
Blessings,
andrea
Absolutely phenomenal pictures! Each one tells a story! Really wonderful post...so de-stressing!!
At first, I thought the Towhees would be my favorite shots... but they all are!
This is the first time I've seen an "aerial" view of your garden with the new fence -- it's just about the same size as mine!
Thank you, Wanda, for a series of lovely photos of various birds and wild animals, of delicious dishes which surely have made me hungry, and of winter wonderland all in all. It’s relaxing to see birds resting, eating, flitting, .... hopefully on a bit warmer days. Brown-eared bulbuls or Japanese white-eye visit my garden and eat kale. In Japan, some birds were confirmed as infected with the bird-flu virus. Less food and bird-flu, winter must be a harsh season for birds. But your birds are happy to be healthy protected by your affection, to have a shelter to rest themselves and feed. I hope Carolina Wren will go on a diet. The red-colored birds are so impressive. Who are they?
The reflections of the morning sun on the snow is beautiful and color coordination of red-colored birds, Christmas wreath, brown fence in silvery background is nice.
I wish I could have even a little snow. It hasn’t snowed yet here in Nara as usual due to dry air, although it’s been bitterly cold.
Stay warm and take care, Wanda.
Oh,those fat and fluffy little birds!
I wonder what the small thing was that traveled on the log. Makes me think of a little kid balancing on it.
Nice! Indoors in front of a fire is the best way to end a snowy day. As to your comments on being outside at 40 below, it's doable if you are dressed right, but we don't get much wind in the winter and the air is very dry, like desert air. If you aren't dressed right it doesn't take any time at all to get frostbite. It's definitely time to stay inside as much as possible!
I really enjoy your various birds and white snow.
They are colorful and so lovely.
There are some birds visiting my yard. Wagtail and White-cheeked starlingand, Mejiro, and Sparrow．Frequent visitor is Mejiro, which enjoy nectar of the flowers in my yard.
I try to give sparrows some grains, and only a few sparrows come to eat them.
Wanda, What a lovely house you live in. It reminds me of Andersen’s picture stories I read in my child-hood. Thank you for your recipe. Beautiful and delicious meals!!
Have a good weekend!!
*Tomoko*
Your pictures are SO beautiful of your Winter nature-land. And your food looks so yummy AND I can feel your relief - your normalcy as the healing continues. Amen.
Love Gail
peace.....
Ahhhh....so beautiful. I have had my boots handy waiting for another walk with Wanda.♥
Wanda, your winter birds look so happy at your place! I love the shot of the birdhouse covered in snow, and the blur of birds in flight. Yes, spring is just around the corner... but roaring fires sound delightful in the meantime. Glad you & your husband are doing well.
:)
Towhees... I must be off for some googling soon. You live in bird heaven, Wanda. All the beautiful, beautiful little birdie friends!
Enjoy a warm and cozy Thursday. xxxx
Hello Wanda dear. Such amazing and beautiful scenes!
The food and dessert are awesome!
Happy weekend ahead. All the best to all.
xo
Regina
I love birds and I love this post. The pictures have lifted my spirit somewhat, thank you for sharing Wanda.
You are like me - lots of feeders occupied by lots of birds. I love to watch them. The food looks so good - especially the banana cream pie!
Hi Wanda!
What a long week I had! I'm so happy to be relaxing now after dinner... catching up a bit ~ and now your lovely, lovely post ~ so sweetly prepared for us to enjoy!
I love birds and this post is just like heaven! I think the gold finch with it's beak tucked in from the cold is one of the sweetest photos! I also think that the one of your cardinals sitting on top of the porch decking is greeting card material! So pretty, Wanda!
I hope your husband is doing well... thinking of you two getting through these winter months...
But the cold does keep us inside and quiet.
Wishing you calm, peace and joy ♥
With many blessings flowing your way ~ ~ ~
Maria
I found your blog somehow and see that we have some blogging friends in common like Arctic View and DJanity. Your bird pictures are excellent. I try to take pictures of the birds in my backyard but they usually scatter away before I can take them. We had some heavy snow in the Atlanta area a couple of weeks ago, but it is gone now. It was the weirdest snow I had seen ever, it froze over and looked like meringue. I took many pictures of it for my blog. I’ll come back to look at more of your posts.
Beautiful shots - but I particularly like your bird photos. Great!
Hi Wanda!
Stopping over to listen to your fabulous playlist! I don't always like to hear music on people's blogs, but YOURS is wonderful ♫
love it!
Wishing you a Sweet Sunday!
~Maria
Oh, how I enjoyed your winter days with you. All of your images are always so wonderful, but that row of cardinals on the fence was truly special.
Thank you for sharing your words and images.
Very best,
Lois
Who needs spring when you've found such beauty in the present. Such lovely photos of life and the world around you. The dessert with the flax seeds sounds delicious. I would like it and I'm not much of a dessert person.
Thanks for this visit. Always a blessing.
I love all your birds. We don't have Carolina wrens - only winter wrens here, and of course no cardinals. Such great photos, as always. You are so blessed to live where you do, and so generous to share it with us.
The cardinals truly add a happy splash of color to your winter world. You make me wish that we had them here!
All those animal tracks... What fun! Have you ever thought of getting a wildlife camera to get some close-ups of them moseying about your/their land? The skunk's den entrance might be a fun spot! Or the turkey's route! Or that wily fox! Wow, so much wildlife. You are very lucky!
Wanda, your bird photos are so beautiful! I love Eastern towhees and haven't seen any at my feeders for a couple of years. :( Your little wren is so sweet all puffed up against the cold.
Stay warm near that cozy roaring fire!
Wanda,
The snow is so beautiful to look at. What fun it is to see all those animal tracks in the snow and discovering the animal that left it there.
Sending you warm from Florida. We are starting to get warmer here. Hope you are,too.
I hope all is getting better and better.
Smiles.
Wanda, I just read a comment on another blog that mentioned another sadness.
I'm thinking of you and your family.
Love and Prayers,
Eileen
Aaahhhh...so wonderful to visit with you and your beautiful nature shots...you should take pictures for National Geographic! Your pics and poetry are excellent. You not only are a talented writer, but your cooked meals and desserts look like something out of a Sunset or fine recipe magazine. I love your music and the peace I find visiting you. Have an excellent week...and keep lots of logs for the fireplace! By the way, my brother and his family live in Elyria, Ohio. Do you know where it is?
Wanda,
Your blog is just wonderful--words, pictures, everything! I feel as if I have taken a walk with you. Except that I'm barefooted and I know I haven't been walking in snow. I especially love the view from your window. What a great place!
Kay
What a great group of lovely photos! Especially the cardinals!
Amazing bird photos! How lucky you are to live in such beauty. . .and to have an artist's eye.
Hej Wanda!
What a lovely place you live in. Each time of the year we see your wonderful photos - and now this winter-wonderland. The snow looks like whipped cream in the last photo!
The bird-photos are amazing. I don't know anyone here, who has such a richness of birds in their back-yard.
Oh,that lovely litte goldfinch hiding its head. So cute. And all the others. Such beautiful colours, which are clearer and stronger with the clean, white snow as a background.
The first bird has the colours like that dog called, what is it - Berner-Sennen?? Black, a fine dark brown and white.
Cheers Wanda, and thanks for sharing this beautiful place with us.
Grethe ´)
Hearty hugs for a wonderful Wednesday, dearest Wanda xoxoxoxo
Hello Wanda
Lovely post and the music made it more special!
The Carolina Wren is beautiful:)
Best
Tracy :)
Gee where do I start?! :-D Love the bird shots and envy your towhees...love the crop of the fence w/ the cake lover's dream quip, it's awesome!! And every time I see your food shots I wish I was your favorite cousin who happens to live next door! Another wonderful post Wanda, thank you!!
...lovely, lovely post as always! Are you ready for the additional snow. I hope we get it. I especially loved your Downy photos...our downy has a penchant for suet as well!
I Wanda, I'm just stopping in to say hello :) I hope you and herhusband are doing well!
I hope you will have a wonderful Wintery weekend, Wanda! xxxx
What a lovely blog you have! I enjoyed the bird photographs; this is the first year I've been feeding the birds and I have become a huge fan. I think it's something about allowing myself to slow down enough to enjoy the avian antics happening just outside of my window that is part of it.
Hi Wanda, just catching up on some blog reading and love the new pics here. The woodpecker is facinating. Did you take the bird photos from inside? I've tried doing that but the cardinals are so fast, flitting back and forth between trees as a pair over here. Loved the pic of the early morning red glow on the snow! Hope your hubby is recovering well and you both are staying cozy by that fire! Yes, spring is under all that snow somewhere! We'll all be ready, wont' we!
I don't know HOW you do it!! You take THE most incredible shots!! Each and every one is just beautiful! It just looks like you and Herhusband have the most iddylic life, Wanda!!
Wanda, I just love all the photos. I would love having cardinals visiting, love the bright colors. We don't get them here. When you talk turkeys are you talking wild ones. Never saw those either. Your walk in the woods always thrills me, and all the snow and underneath is Spring. What a wonderful thought. Have a great day.
You DO have a busy feeder. Wonderful!
Hi Wanda, here I am last as usual!
You have a great assortment of feathered visitors. I love the Cardinals and the Towhees.
We have just one pair of cardinals around us here, but it is not a rural as your area, so perhaps that is why.
Your meals always look delicious, especially as I always seem to be here at this time, when I should be making supper..!
Take care and keep warm..
hugs
xx
Have a most wonderful Wednesday, Wanda. Take lots of comforting cups to keep you warm and cozy. Our snow is all gone, we have had some sunshine, it felt so so good, the warmth on my face again. I crave Spring!
Wanda...these pics are amazing....I felt like I was right there...watching..listening...feeling the awesomeness of your backyard
Wow, what a treasure trove of great photos your blog turned out to be. Glad I dropped by!
Sending warm wishes for the weekend. I hope all is well!
xoxo
I love all the bird pictures. We have birds around here but not so many different kinds yet. Although I think I might have seen a cardinal the other day. Great winter pics.
Hermoso winter!, but cold, muy frío, brrrr, I love the hot days, spring and summer, the nights in the fall... in any case, Wanda you are a splendid photographer, gracias :)
Hi, wanda~ In a way, it makes me glad to be sharing this phenomenal winter with someone else! One snowstorm after another, icicles, snow glazed with ice, starving animals--I've being throwing acorns out for the squirrels which I collected in the fall and saved in a bucket. And your birds! They are so lucky! They've been hiding here; only the crows dare to check for some goodies. My favorite photo is that brilliant red cardinal perched on his ball! What a beautiful winter you've had! Love, me ♥
Hi Wanda...
I couldn't get back to sleep, so I'm revisiting here ~ with your gentle music...
Sending you, your husband and beautiful family Valentine wishes ♥
love, Maria
Warmest regards to you Wanda :-) I loved each of the pictures but my favorite is the one with the caption "while the boards look like a cake lover's dream" :-) I often look at the pictures and wonder what a beautifully serene life you are blessed with. In the lap of nature, in the midst of everything beautiful. God bless you and your loved ones with endless happiness and peace :)
I used to enjoy feeding the birds until I moved across the road from a woman with 47 cats. She's under the sod now, but I've never started back into it again. Beautiful photos!
so many birds and other wildlife you have to enjoy. i love that you found the skunk's home. your photos are great. hope all is well. have a wonderful weekend.
I totally enjoyed this amazing walk with you. So breathtaking and warmed with delectable food and a fire at the end of the trail. Love your drive.
BlessYourHeart
I'm a first time visitor to your blog. My six-year old who watches and feeds our birds with me and I really enjoyed all of the wildlife and the outdoors that you've captured here. Can't wait to visit again.
Where are you? She who has the blog of such lovliness...you Always make me feel good and a wee bit Special. Comments are hard to come by and then there YOU are! My heart sends you kindness thru the wings of that sparrow that comes into your yard...xx
(thank you for being there Wanda <3)
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