Click for larger picture
So, We had an ice storm last weekend. Not real bad, I suppose. We were very lucky in that we did not have any trees come down on our property. Of course, lots of trees went down in the area. And so did the power. Ugh. So our power went out on Sunday morning at 7:30AM. I got up and got a fire going in our fireplace. And I would keep that fire going for the next 36 hours until the power came on late Monday. Phooey. Thank God for our fireplace and having it ready, and a load of firewood ordered not too long ago. It was a bit tiring, getting up every hour or so throughout the night to make sure the fire was still going. I didn't want to let it go out with temps hovering around 30 outside. Brrr.
The picture above is the one good one that the game camera caught. You can see icicles hanging off the one bird feeder. Ironically (?), even once the power was on, it turned out our cable was still down. So no internet or land line or cable TV for another day and a half. Think they'll credit our bill? LOL
Meanwhile, our very good neighbor has put up a privacy fence between our backyards. Sometimes, you might think that was a bad thing. But his dogs are big and seemingly annoyed by our dog. Of course, our dog just loves to run over and antagonize his dogs. So now we don't have to worry about them getting face to face anymore. We really are lucky to have good neighbors!
And this morning I have re-upped the bird feeders. I'll have to take some good pictures some day, but for now you'll have to make do with verbiage. I have 4 seed feeders hanging out there (two for mixed seed, two for sunflowers), two suet feeders on the tree, a hanging basket I fill with peanuts and sunflower seeds, 3 thistle seed socks hanging for the Gold and other finches, and then I stuff a few corn cobs in the fence and so on.
The reward? Watching so many beautiful birds, and knowing I'm helping them make it through the winter. We see Cardinals, Blue Jays, Carolina Chickadees, Juncos, Goldfinches, House Finches, Downy Woodpeckers, Red Bellied Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Carolina Wrens, and more. Oh, and squirrels of course. And every once in a while, we'll see a hawk hanging about, looking for fresh meat. {shudder}
But it is a wonderful pastime and I love thinking of my grandparents when I am pottering about with the bird feeders. I have two galvanized trash cans, with lids, on the back patio, filled with a variety of bird seed. That reminds me of working with my Grandfather to refill the feeders he kept hanging over the side lawn of his magical Long Island home. Good memories.
Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful day. And don't forget to let go. :)