Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Track Of The Cat



It was -4° F and quite windy at the house in the morning; the TV weather folks sounded like it would be dangerous to even open the door – that anyone who did so would be instantly frozen solid. Makes you wonder how anyone survived in the days before central heating.

Birds, except for their internal furnace don’t have central heating but do wear layers of down, were busy getting fuel at the feeders –
Black-capped Chickadee
American Goldfinch - male acquiring breeding colors
Pine Siskin
Since there’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing, I donned a couple layers of fleece, my old Bean boots, a warm hat, leather chopper mitts with wool liners and headed for the Big Woods.

The sky was crystal clear, the snow brilliant white and, except for the wind in the tall pines, quiet prevailed.

Another inch of snow fell early the previous evening so it was easy to see what wildlife had been moving about during the night:

White-footed mice had risked their lives to dash across the top of the snow –

Every predator – hawks, screech and barred owls, fox, coyote, weasel and bobcat – in the Big Woods is on the lookout for mice. But the only sign of the predators was the trail of a bobcat that emerged from an area of dense shrubs to cross the old woods road.
 


Then it was time to head for home and lunch a bowl of warm soup, not a mouse.

7 comments:

Sara - Villa Emilia said...

Beautiful and interesting photos!
I so agree with you that there’s no such thing as bad weather!

Barb said...

Your landscape looks a bit like mine, though I only have Jays visiting me just now. If I didn't venture outside in frigid weather, I'd get cabin fever.

eileeninmd said...

Pretty variety of birds. I am seeing some of the Pine Siskins this winter.. They are nice birds.. I like the foot prints, neat sightings.. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Did you mean to write ' a bowel of soup'? I know that is where it goes!!!! I am glad you doomed the appropriate clothing and headed for the woods. Lovely shots. Have a lovely weekend.

Unknown said...

Pretty shots of the birds! I know it's all about the right clothes, but I still hate going out when it's raining.

EG CameraGirl said...

It does make me wonder how people survived the cold in past times.

Oh, I have been looking all over for pine siskins! I haven't had any at my feeders yet this year!

betty-NZ said...

What a wonderful wonderland to see--although, I know that feeling it isn't quite as great :( Your photos are so crisp and gorgeous! I can't help but feel sorry for the birds.