January 10, 2024 Yesterday, after a Pacific storm turned the air to ice during the night, I woke to 15 degrees and busted pipes. Despite the heat tape, the foam insulation and pipe wrap, the incandescent bulbs plugged into thermostatically controlled outlets, the schedule 80 still blew out. Liquid water turning solid with a 9 percent expansion. Split brass. Shattered PVC.
Congratulations, indeed! Num, num almond roll, but not surprising for a guy who also makes pies!
Anna’s over-winter here in the PNW, and would you believe it’s 5 F this morning? Much colder with the windchill. I’ve melted the syrup and lo! there’s the front porch hummer sipping away! It’s unbelievable and yes, miraculous.
Thanks Wendy! I've heard that Anna's overwinter way up there...I guess it's a more recent occurrence as people put feeders out for them in winter. So, good for you!
We got down to 12.8° on the 9th and I was positive there would be no Anna's that morning. Wrong! One of the four that seem to be happy here was at the frozen solid feeder before I even thought about replenishing seed and suet. I keep an extra set of feeders in the house for swapping out on freezing mornings but I didn't even have a chance to do that. The replacement was going to freeze too but the male took some long sips before flying off. I have to wonder what temperature it takes to ensure complete torpor in these hardy tidbits of birds! Lucky wife you have (and congratulations!). Not sure my husband could even turn on the oven.
Ha! You're so funny! Hope he at least makes coffee! I see the Anna's hitting on the frozen feeders all the time and I'm wondering if they get something out of it--like licking a popsicle...
Thanks so much Michael! Yeah, pipes...seems to be a regular problem here, which is why I keep spare fittings and pipe glue on hand. Used to be we'd lose water for a few days due to freezing, so that's gotten better...
Yes, he makes coffee --forced to because I don't drink it! LOL. As to the Anna's licking the frozen nectar, I think you are on to something. What else would they be doing dipping those tongues down on that frozen ice cube? I see that Amazon carries a hummingbird feeder heater but they're out of stock. I was going to try one.
Congratulations, indeed! Num, num almond roll, but not surprising for a guy who also makes pies!
Anna’s over-winter here in the PNW, and would you believe it’s 5 F this morning? Much colder with the windchill. I’ve melted the syrup and lo! there’s the front porch hummer sipping away! It’s unbelievable and yes, miraculous.
Thanks Wendy! I've heard that Anna's overwinter way up there...I guess it's a more recent occurrence as people put feeders out for them in winter. So, good for you!
We got down to 12.8° on the 9th and I was positive there would be no Anna's that morning. Wrong! One of the four that seem to be happy here was at the frozen solid feeder before I even thought about replenishing seed and suet. I keep an extra set of feeders in the house for swapping out on freezing mornings but I didn't even have a chance to do that. The replacement was going to freeze too but the male took some long sips before flying off. I have to wonder what temperature it takes to ensure complete torpor in these hardy tidbits of birds! Lucky wife you have (and congratulations!). Not sure my husband could even turn on the oven.
Ha! You're so funny! Hope he at least makes coffee! I see the Anna's hitting on the frozen feeders all the time and I'm wondering if they get something out of it--like licking a popsicle...
Sorry about the pipes. But once again, a delightful read. And congratulations!
Thanks so much Michael! Yeah, pipes...seems to be a regular problem here, which is why I keep spare fittings and pipe glue on hand. Used to be we'd lose water for a few days due to freezing, so that's gotten better...
Amazing biology! Amazing birds. Beautiful pictures and writing.
Thanks so much Michael! Nature always amazes me! Inspires me!!!
Happy 43 to you both!! ❤️🥂👍🏽
Thank you! We watched Mr. and Mrs. Smith last night--perfect metaphor for our relationship!
Yes, he makes coffee --forced to because I don't drink it! LOL. As to the Anna's licking the frozen nectar, I think you are on to something. What else would they be doing dipping those tongues down on that frozen ice cube? I see that Amazon carries a hummingbird feeder heater but they're out of stock. I was going to try one.