Monday, January 8, 2018

Burrr!! It's cold!


Happy Monday,

We've have had some super cold weather the last few weeks. Temperatures from 2° to 20°'s . These temps do not count in the wind factor, which makes it feel even colder. We had a little snow that just will not melt. I go outside long enough to fill the feeders and add some water to the heated bird bath. In that amount of time, my face and fingers are hurting from the cold. I am just not a winter or cold weather person, I am counting the days till spring. Yes, I am a wimp!  Spring can not come fast enough for me. 

I have been putting out peanuts in the shells for the Blue Jays, they love the peanuts. 





I've been throwing some seed on the ground after feeling sorry for the ground feeding birds.


The Carolina Wren will eat anything, but the suet is a favorite.




The Mourning Dove is a ground feeder, I have put some Sunflower seeds on the deck for them to eat.




When the temperatures drop it is important for the birds to find food that helps to keep their bodies warm. I help them by providing the seed and suet and a heated bird bath for their water source. It is easy to do and just a little thing since I enjoy watching the birds. 




As always I thank you for stopping by and as always I appreciate your comments.

My list of memes for today, I hope to see you there. Thanks to both of the host below.


Thanks to Michelle for hosting Nature Notes
Thanks to the hosting team of Our World Tuesday!
Thanks to Stewart for hosting Wild Bird Wednesday

64 comments:

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I envy the fact that you can put out peanuts for the Blue Jays. We have such a plague of squirrels in our suburban neighbourhood that peanuts would be gobbled up before the jays even had a chance to get to them. Fortunately, a couple of American Crows have become regulars and the squirrels don't mess with them!

Tom said...

...the big warmup is coming!

Karen Lakis said...

It really has been cold! I'm hoping to get outside today. Thank you for sharing your beautiful birds. Have a nice day!

Phil Slade said...

You sound just like me Eileen. I hate the cold of winter and can't wait for spring. Good to see and hear how you keep the birds fed and watered. I'm sure that your work stops many from death during the cold weather you are experiencing. Have a good week and stay warm.

Sandi said...

Blue Jays like peanuts? How weird is that?! :)

Love the bright red cardinal!

Jeanie said...

I've been fighting Bushy the Squirrel, who loves the bird feeder more than I wish. Even when I throw nuts his way, he'd much rather go there and I'm trying to figure out how to rearrange. Big sigh. I guess they're hungry too -- but he's such a pig!

Sondra said...

Same thing here sooooo cold our lows have been down to 9, 11, 10 for days now and all the water outside is frozen solid! It's great to see your yard birds appreciating those efforts you are putting forth. I used to get so many blue jays eating on my platform feeder, the squirrels destroyed that...I have a mix with p-nuts in the replacement feeders but they don't seem to care they come for the water then fly off into the woods. This year I've added mealy worm cakes to the menu and all the birds love it. Still no jays on it tho.

Michelle said...

I have been feeding the birds and enjoy seeing them from my kitchen window.

Cloudia said...

Bless you for feeding. We do too

magnoliasntea said...

Looks like you have the same types of birds that we have on our deck rail. Love them all and could watch them for hours. Today the Cardinals have ice on their tails and traffic is stalled on our road.
Have a great day!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

Love your photos.

Did you hear, here in Tampa we get a certificate of participation for this season's cold. It dropped to 38 (maybe lower...that was the coolest temp I noticed), and the pit bull has stayed under a blanket for a week

Marit said...

Hello,

It seems pretty cold in your area too. Yesterday it was - 6 Fahrenheit, so it was very cold here. The birds are eating all the time.
Stay warm and safe!

Happy Monday!

Mary Hone said...

I always wonder how something so small and fragile as a bird can survive the cold. Thank goodness people like you help them, by feeding them.

RedPat said...

Lucky birds to have you taking care of them, Eileen!

Red said...

It looks like you are right beside some good bird habitat. You are giving the birds some help in their survival.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure they appreciate all the tasty goodies!

MadSnapper said...

brrr is right on your temps, today we are back to normal FL weather, wake up to 56 going to 77.. not bright sun, but sun/clouds off an on.
that blue jay is so pretty, i love the light pastel blue

Kathie Brown said...

Eileen, I put out peanuts in the shells for my blue jays and titmice as well. I buy the unsalted kind in our grocery department at the grocery store. Surprisingly, it is cheaper than buying the ones the feed store sells! I would love to see a Carolina Wren, but I usually have to go farther South for one of those. However, I was surprised to have one visit my feeder at my former house in Jefferson, ME last year!

Suzanne said...

Brrr! It does look cold in your yard, Eileen! We've had some pretty chilly temps here in Fort Worth, also, but only a few droppings of sleetish type snow. Your bird pictures are very pretty...they're so colorful against the snow. I have some snow pictures of birds from years past, and they kind of puff up to stay warm. And, I didn't know that Blue Jays like peanuts...will have to get some. I enjoyed your post this morning, and hope you are staying warm-it is hard to make yourself get outdoor when it's bitterly cold, and you are a saint for taking care of your beautiful critters. Have a great week!

DIMI said...

Hello Eileen!
Great post!
It must be very cold with this low temperature!
Great captures of your beautiful yard birds Eileen!
My favorite are the Cardinals and the Blue Jay!
Have a lovely new week!
Dimi...

Gayle said...

Those birds are included in our crowd too. The blue jays come swooping in and everybody scatters. But there is usually one little guy that just looks at them like they're a big bother.
The RG has been talking about a heated birdbath. Happy Day.

Nancy J said...

I am sure the "Pigeon Post" sends out mail that says " Call in here for food and warm water", they must be so thankful for all you do, and then the fun watching as they arrive. I wonder world wide how many others do the same, you are so thoughtful.

Lady Fi said...

Lovely shots! Keep warm.

ellen b. said...

You are a true bird lover. I need to put out some bird seed. Stay warm and cozy!

Christine said...

I'm shivering at the thought of those freezing temperatures, Eileen!
No doubt the birds are glad of the heated bird bath you have for them and the buffet you thoughtfully provide!
Lovely photos! The mourning dove is a very pretty shade of pink!
Hope you have a warmer week!

Rambling Woods said...

You got some great photos...I am worried about wildlife all across the country with this weather...Michelle

Linda W. said...

Poor little birds! Good thing you are feeding them. Hope things warm up for you soon.

Penelope Notes said...

How wonderful … a heated birdbath is something I’d not thought of before. I bet the birds are so glad you’re there to help them out during this very cold time of the year in your world. I, too, wonder how these creatures make out during extreme cold spells.

William Kendall said...

Your birds are well taken care of.

Karen said...

I enjoyed seeing your hungry visitors today. I know they appreciate the seeds. Hopefully the coldest weather is over for a while!!

Lowcarb team member said...

So lovely to see your selection of photographs, I do worry about all wildlife in this type of weather.

Stay safe and do stay warm!

All the best Jan

Fun60 said...

Squirrels will take anything i put out for the birds.

carol l mckenna said...

You definitely know birds and take gorgeous photos of them ~ love the dove, the cardinal and the little wren ~ sweet!

Happy Week to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Rose said...

Some beautiful captures...love that dove one.

HappyK said...

I'm sure the birds really appreciate you feeding them.
Nice to know spring always follows winter. : )

The Furry Gnome said...

You've got some nice birds coming to your feeder.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

Hungry birds here too with this cold - Cardinals and the wrens of course are always a favorite to have around. But those Blue Jays, as pretty as they are, really can be as greedy as Starlings, can't they?

krishna said...

it is so cold!!

Nancy Chan said...

You have a heart for the birds. I am sure the birds appreciate your thoughtfulness. They must have been very hungry in this cold weather.

rupam sarma said...

Hii, Just read your post.
Thanks for all pics, beautiful.
Take care. Greetings.

Lux G. said...

That's a very thoughtful and sweet thing to do. So compassionate of you. I wish more people look after animals especially at times like this. The world is so much better because of people like you. And I do love watching birds too. I love it when they visit our yard and sing. No snow here so I just put out water for them to bathe and drink. The sweet singing is more than enough payment. Happy 2018!

italiafinlandia said...

Your photos are always nice to see...thenks for sharing.
How pretty the red Cardinal!

Francisco Manuel Carrajola Oliveira said...

Magnificas estas fotografias, gostei.
Um abraço e boa semana.

Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
O prazer dos livros

Crissi said...

We in Germany / Bavaria have no snow, I'm glad, I don't like cold. We only have plus grade - nice. Your pictures are beautiful as always.
Happy day
Crissi

Bob Bushell said...

Excellent photos Eileen, have a beautiful week.

Debbie said...

great captures - it was cheaper to put 2 kids through college, than feed the birds!!!

love the cardinal!!!

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

I hate the cold, too, Eileen. My kids love it because it means the ski resorts are running! I'm sure the little birds just love your hand-outs. Sweet photos - you have some pretty visitors! Hope it warms up for you soon! xx Karen

Breathtaking said...

Hello Eileen!:) Happy New Year!:=) It does look cold,... I also dislike the cold weather, keep adding layers, even though it's not as cold here, as where you are. Lovely to see your visitors,...so nicely photographed, and looked after. I'm wondering about the heated bird bath. Do you just fill it with hot, or warm water, or does it actually heat the water? Keep warm!:)

Our photos said...

You are not the only wimp: same overhere ! Can’t wait for spring ! Lovely bird photos !

amo sin blogg said...

I do not like ice and cold, but fortunately the days goes fast, and soon it is spring.

Love Anne-Mari

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

The birds are amazing...my husband loved them too!

Ruth said...

At least you were brave enough to take a peek outside. My mom lives in Pennsylvania and she stayed inside all week. It was so bad that the water in her pipes froze.

Birgitta said...

Wonderful photos! Love that red bird :)

Lea said...

Love your birds!
Have a wonderful day!

R's Rue said...

Love.

Noushka said...

Hello Eileen
The colder the better for birding and photos!
I really enjoy these Blue jays and Cardinals of yours, wish we had them here!
All the best and take care :)

Ida said...

So glad you leave out food for the birds. - The Blue Jays & Cardinal are so pretty. Of course the little sparrows are just darling. - Here I end up with Doves, Crows, Sparrows & occasionally Woodpeckers for the food I leave out.

A Colorful World said...

Lovely bird visitors! I hope it warms up for you (and them) soon!

KL said...

What lovely pictures. I also feed the birds constantly. I think here in Northern NJ it has been more cold than in MD. Today was a bit better. But the last few days or week, geez....snow, hail, storm, everything together along with bitter cold.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

You have some great shots as usual. I love the little Carolina Wrens..tiny bird / big voice! :)

Our subzero temps just went away (FINALLY ) After several inches of snow we went to 50 degrees today. Close to 60 tomorrow and then we will hed down to 20 on the weekend. Crazy :) But I do not mind this break...especially in regards to the heating bill.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hope the weather there is improving, Eileen. Colorado has been enjoying warmer temps and hardly any snow, but, hopefully, things will go back to normal here soon, too.

I try to feed the birds but greedy squirrels come and steal it all! They are voracious!

Angie said...

In our family, we like to say there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing, but we know not everyone is into winter activities! Thanks for your bird shots - especially like the wren!

NatureFootstep said...

beautiful birds. They don´t seem to bee too cold. :)

Not sure if your temp is C or F? If it is Celcius it seems more like summer :) Hm guess it is Farenheit. 2F is -16,6C Cold!

Jenn Jilks said...

It's lovely seeing your birds!

Happy Monday!

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