That is the word I decided upon to describe today, rather than “dreadfully cold”. There was a windchill of -11 when George headed off to work this morning and I pulled the covers up around me for a little longer sleep. I had the day off, and waited till the temperature rose to its high of 9 degrees before heading out on my errands. Long johns were definitely the order of the day.
Before I left the house, I put in a full morning of cleaning and organizing, getting things in order so that we can have a smooth departure in the morning. I set up the tripod at the kitchen window, and photographed the bird visitors as they came and went. They enjoyed the offerings I had put out, and I enjoyed their company on this winter’s day.
Here is a hairy woodpecker, swinging from a block of George’s homemade suet
and here again, checking out the same recipe, but closer to the house
A little downy showed up as soon as the hairy left. One pecked a nice hole in our deck rail last year, which seems like something this one is contemplating.
The juncos were looking through all the nooks and crannies for seeds. This one disappeared from view several times as the hole (my bootprint) was quite deep.
I counted thirty mourning doves in the yard at one point, but sometimes I miss one or two that are well-camouflaged in the willow branches.
I even felt sorry for the starling who came looking for food, and seemed to shiver as he (or she) rested.
Tonight the temperature is Zero……windchill -11, as it was when the day started. My bed buddy has been warmed in the microwave, and I’m headed to tuck it under the covers, and hope for a warm night’s sleep.