Miscellaneous Hawks

It was too cold to do much birding today, but I did see what I believe to be a Cooper's Hawk while at the Douglas Town Hall.  Then, when I got back to my own neighborhood, I spotted a Red-Tailed Hawk.

Cooper's Hawk

I had stopped at Douglas Town Hall and was just getting back in the car, when this hawk flew across my line of sight with a Blue Jay close behind it.  It landed briefly just beyond the town hall, and I was only able to get a long-distance shot before it flew off again.

 Red-Tailed Hawk

I stopped at Hopkinton State Park and looked for drifting snow to photograph.  There wasn't much of a selection.  I saw better when I was out driving about earlier, but most times, there was no safe place to stop.

Pine Siskin

I had one Pine Siskin visit my thistle feeder today.  These birds come down from Canada in the winter months if there is a shortage of food (seeds from pine cones).  Supposedly they move in flocks, which would be fun to see, but I only had a solitary visitor.  Still, I was happy to see it and get a photo before it headed off for other feeders!

Winter Shadows

OK.  Cabin fever has officially set in.  I forced myself to get out of the house (and beyond the driveway) in search of a place to walk in spite of the deep snow.  First, I drove to Hopkinton State Park.  You wouldn't believe how many times I have driven past the beautiful shadows on the roadside near the entrance.  Today I stopped to photograph it.   It is SOOOO pretty!

Closeup!

So pretty!  I should never have driven past this!!

Next, I drove over to the reservoir in Southboro.  The water was completely frozen over, and there was no place to park.  I drove on to Rural Cemetery and parked there and walked a bit.  There were a few nice birds around to entertain me.

Blue Jay

Yet another brook buried beneath the snow.

Northern Flicker

Song Sparrow

I also saw a Downy Woodpecker, a Brown Creeper, Black-Capped Chickadees, and American Robins at this stop.  It felt good to get some exercise and fresh air!  Note to self:  cemeteries are excellent destinations after major snowstorms. 

Back at home, the Carolina Wrens were determined to win me over again.

Carolina Wren

I think the Carolina Wrens were a bit jealous of all the attention the Eastern Bluebirds were getting.  After all, they like the mealworms too.  Maybe they aren't as colorful, but they are cute.

Proud to be a Carolina Wren!

Had to find some camouflage in all the white snow!

Hey, check out my tail feathers!  Aren't they pretty?

Forget those Eastern Bluebirds, already!

Sorry, little wren.  I can't forget about the bluebirds!  I love them too much!  Today I was able to get their regular feeder filled again, and when I looked high up in the treetops, they were all up there waiting for me to go back inside so they could come down and empty it!

Here's a post-storm look at the wetlands area.

By the way, I am not the only birdwatcher in this house.  This is what we call "Cat TV".  And that's the little wooden shelter (on top of one of our tables) that my husband built to protect the mealworms during the blizzard!

Backyard Birds in the Blizzard

Travel ban.  State of emergency.  30+ inches of snow.  We were ready for this one.  Thank goodness we kept our power, and the winds were not bad except on the coast.  The sunflower seed feeder, thistle feeder, and suet cage were all well-stocked.  The mealworm tray feeder was holding one foot of snow when I woke up this morning, so that was pretty useless.  The Eastern Bluebirds were sitting next to it probably wondering where their food was....

Best group photo! 

(click to enlarge)

Midday, George built a little shelter to protect the mealworms from the snow, so we put a fresh batch out on our deck.  Within minutes, we had a high of 8 bluebirds fly in at one time.  

Sunflower feeder action

Northern Cardinal (male)

 Northern Cardinal (female)

American Goldfinch

again

White-Throated Sparrow

 Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Song Sparrow

Black-Capped Chickadee

Carolina Wren

Tufted Titmouse

again

Eastern Bluebird

We survived the blizzard just fine, and I think my backyard birds did well too!  I love birds in the snow!