The Big Yard: Notes from a Pajama Birdwatcher
December 13, 2022
Yesterday afternoon, a tremendous Pacific frontal storm shoved its way into the corner of our state, sending moaning winds up the funnel of our canyon ahead of a bank of cold dark clouds that unburdened themselves of the Bering Sea. First came a misty rain so soft it seemed to float sideways. Then the sky turned gray and began to shred long steamers of liquid confetti, layering the ground with the same color to the point that earth and sky were one. Sometime after darkness fell, whiteness sheathed the landscape.
This morning, the air is still at 27 degrees. Flannel pajama (and blanket) weather. I defrost the hummingbird feeders with warm water for the resident pair of Anna’s, stir the platform feeder to mix sunflower seeds and snow for the finches and jays, and broadcast handfuls of dried mealworms for the hermit thrushes.
Something moves in the elderberry tree, dusting my shoulders with shave ice.
Today, all the birds in the yard are snowbirds.
Thanks for supporting the Big Yard! More to come—after the snow melts…
So beautiful! And so cold! The moisture will be much appreciated later this year by your avian neighbors & all living things.
So beautiful, indeed! It’s cold here in Bellingham too, but no snow yet. Cold enough that the Anna’s hummingbirds are “guarding” the front and back feeders. They are so funny to watch. Thanks for the great pictures!