Thursday, January 9, 2014

Midwinter Freeze


Woodpecker Flicker


On a recent morning before the freeze, 
a yellow-shafted flicker was hard at work punching holes in our yard, 
the red heart on the back of his neck pumping in rapid fire motion 
with every thrust of his beak.

If he was looking for a fat grub for breakfast,
he didn't come up with one while I was watching.  




It wasn't for lack of trying.
In this 10 second video, he strikes the ground about 30 times.




A couple of days later, the cold came, and the ground, hard as stone, locked up its treasures.
Deer, dressed in their winter coats, dug through the snow for food...




and made way when the Prince of the Forest appeared.


Winter Blue Jay


Birds fluffed out their down coats to obtain the highest possible insulation.




Steam rolled in from the lake at the Theodosia Marina...




turning every surface into a confectioner's masterpiece.




He supplies snow like wool, scattering frost like ashes.
Psalm 147:16





Linking with Wild Bird Wednesday
Saturday's Critters