Sunday, December 19, 2010

Daisy's bad snow day!

Yesterday afternoon we got the "iffy" snow the weatherman almost predicted, just over an inch! I was at the local food co-op when Meg called to tell me it was snowing, by the time I got out of the co-op with our groceries it had already snowed a 1/4 inch.

Once home I started thinking about taking some photos of the birds at the feeders. I spent nearly an hour gathering up the monopod and telephoto lens mounting ring. Seems my memory on placing items these days blows. By the time I got the camera ready it was after 4 pm and not much light left. Meg took the dogs for a walk in the snow.  Below is a photo of the snow balls that stuck to poor Daisy's feet. She was a mess with softball sized balls of snow attached to her feet.


Needless to say Meg was very upset and Daisy was more than happy to get back inside. Getting these balls of snow off her feet was impossible, we just let them melt away as she does not take well to being handled.
Dark-eyed Junco, this one was waiting in the juniper under the hanging feeder waiting for sunflower seeds to fall onto the snowy juniper.
Carolina Chick-a-Dee about to jump onto one of our small hanging feeders!
White-breasted Nuthatch on the big oak tree that the feeders hang from.
Male Purple Finch  on a snowy branch. I'm assuming this is a Purple Finch as all the females we have seen thus far this season have been Purple Finches. This is one of the best photos I have taken of this species. All these photos were taken with my Canon D20, 400mm 5.6f telephoto lens  mounted on a monopod from under the overhang of our screened in porch.

This was our third snow event this season, normally no snow until Christmas or later. The forecast for Christmas right now is rain, go figure!

Currently the little cars are snowed in as the 1/3 mile road we live on has a 1/4 inch of ice on it and it is all uphill to get out. Expecting a high of 40 degrees today, but the road is entirely in the shade. Meg's 4 x 4 Toyota truck should be able to get out. Our coffee supply is about 2 days and same for the bird seed. Hopefully I can make it to Costco later this afternoon.

16 comments:

Unknown said...

Poor pup! The bird photos are really nice and clear. I attempted to take bird shots yesterday but I wasn't quick enough on the trigger.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Your bird photos are amazing. Careful on those roads!

D said...

Randy, although Daisy seems a bit unhappy :(... the bird photos are all wonderful!

We just returned from getting more bird seed and a couple extra suet blocks. If I can only get the Stellar's Jays to stay away!

In the event we don't "see" you before Christmas ;), here is wishing you and Meg a joyous and healthy holiday. Stay safe and warm

MLight said...

Wonderful bird photos! (and adorable dog, even if she isn't happy) We have more snow, still, in Hillsborough than we saw anywhere from here to Chapel Hill today.

Meredith said...

Poor Daisy! But what fantastic pictures of the birds, every one of them. Stay warm, and happy holidays!

Carol said...

What wonderful bird portraits Randy! Each one just precious and deserving of being featured in a Peterson Guide. Ouch! to Daisy's cold toes!!

Lisa said...

Great photos!

We've been having finches at our feeders that look like purple finches, but I was thinking might be house finches, so obviously I don't know how to tell them apart. (They look like your photos).

Hints, please,
Thanks,
Lisa

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

Poor Daisy, that must have been a really wet snow.
Your bird photos are super. We had about a dozen Junco in the front yard this afternoon...working their way up the hill in the lawn. Must have been something good.

Shady Gardener said...

Gonna have to get Daisy some boots! :-) Our dog would look like that often.

LOVE your bird photos. They are wonderful!!! Merry Christmas to you!!

Les said...

A forecast of light rain would be welcome, at least with rain we know it's above 32. I hope you and your family have a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Skeeter said...

Daisy needs some snow boots! Poor baby..... We have all the birds you show at the nuthatch we have is the Brown-headed...

Merry Christmas...

Rohrerbot said...

Poor pooch! You must have the patience of a saint to snap those pics. Excellent bird pics...how do you get them to stay in one spot?:) Happy holidays!

Anonymous said...

Randy, marvellous bird photos! The Purple Finch, both the species and the photograph...amazing!

Merry Christmas! I wish you a wonderful year ahead!

Kerri Farley said...

Really stunning captures Randy!
Wishing you and your family a Very Merry Christmas!!

Southern Lady said...

Your bird pictures are amazing! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas! Carla

Corner Gardener Sue said...

Poor Daisy! Your bird photos are all beautiful!

Oh, they just said on the news that a lot of folks in New York and North Carolina are without power. I hope things are OK your way.