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Sunday, January 31, 2010

Snowed In

  Snow is not all that common here in my part of VA; however, every few years a storm comes through that seems to make up for its absence. Such a storm passed through this past weekend that dumped several inches of the white stuff. I'm not complaining, I enjoy the snow and my daughter, like most other children, couldn't hardly wait to get out in it. She woke up and immediately headed to the window to look out - she wasn't disappointed. It was like Christmas morning to her! We enjoyed our time out playing in it.

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With ample warning a few days prior, I was ready. The house was stocked with plenty of food, I managed to unburied my snow shovel from the shed and placed it by the front door, and most importantly, filled the bird feeders.

This little bird below wasn't that interested in the feeders as much as he was in the potted plant on my front porch. This little song sparrow spent quite a bit of time scratching in the potting soil eating what looked like little cone seeds that had falling off the miniature cedar shrub planted in the pot.

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I took these photos through the front storm door while he hopped and scratched through the soil, paying very little attention to me.

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Song sparrows like open habitat, including marsh edges, overgrown fields, backyards, and along forest edges. I'll occasionally see them at my feeders more often in winter than any other time. According to the range maps, I live at the dividing line where their winter range starts and their year-round range ends. I mostly see them in winter but have spotted them in my area in summer too. They live up to their name in being one of the most persistent singers throughout the spring and summer months.

If you have snow out where you live be sure to get out and feed the birds. These can be tough times for wildlife and a little bird seed would be a nice welcome to a hungry song bird...and have fun in the snow while your at it!

Be sure to visit Birdfreak's Bird Photography Weekly #75 for more great bird photos.

 

19 comments:

Larry said...

Nice shots of a very handsome Song Sparrow and your very cute daughter Alan. Might as well enjoy the snow while it's there right?

Good advise to keep your feeders full during the cold months when birds need the extra fat stores.

Les said...

It's crazy how much snow we have gotten. My son spent more time outside than he has in months, and it looks like I won't have to work until Tuesday.

eileeninmd said...

Wonderful shots of the Song Sparrow. I do not see them very often around my yard.

Dave said...

It looks like our snow found you! We had fun playing in the snow yesterday. Our slope is great for sledding. I had to rescue a finch from inside our garage and the kids got to see a little bird close up. It was a pretty neat day!

Lona said...

I see the snow went below us here and got you with a good covering. I am sure your daughter really enjoyed it all. The shots of the sparrow are so wonderful.
Enjoy the snow.

mick said...

Lovely photos of the little sparrow and your daughter looks as if she was enjoying it too. I live in the sub-tropics and am happy to look at all that white stuff from a good distance! It just looks cold!!

Bob Kaufman said...

What's a little snow? :-) You have a lovely daughter and the sparrow shots are just awesome!

Kelly said...

...a lovely Song Sparrow. I love seeing them winter and summer. We were hoping for a little of that snow. It passed just south of us. Glad you got it. I'm sure it made your little girl happy!

Chandramouli S said...

Beautiful shots, Alan, as ever. Very Cute post.

Redzlan aka Tabib said...

Beautiful fat Sparrow. Our Eurasian Tree Sparrow is much thinner, as they don't need the snow insulation.

Kyna said...

I'm sure the birds love you for providing them with such nutritious potted plants :D

I remember the days spent in Canada as a kid, with only my eyes showing through layers of snowsuit...LOL. Beautiful daughter you have! :D

Ali said...

What a cute bird, great shots (your daughter is adorable too). I saw a pair of them by our creek yesterday, though I didn't have my camera with me. Wouldn't have mattered anyway, my puppy jumped into the creek just as I was "ooohing" over them lol.

Neil said...

Beautiful photos of your daughter and Song Sparrow

cindyzlogic said...

I really like the pics of the Song Sparrow...pretty! Super cute daughter, also ;-)

Angie said...

Alan, your blog is very informative and I love the photos and your artwork. I've given you an award - stop on over and get it!

Felicia said...

Song Sparrows are great--I hope you get to hear them sing in your area; they're fun to listen to. Your bird looks like he definitely appreciates your feeder!

Rosie Nixon Fluerty said...

Over in the UK when the weather was harsh this month the birds were so hungry that some people were able to let them feed directly from their hands. I watched many conflicts over the food I had left for them. I found it hard to keep fresh water for them as within an hour it would freeze.

Jan said...

Fun times, eh?! We've been buried, too. And now, we're expecting yet ANOTHER one;~} The birds around me come in droves when it snows!

Dawn Fine said...

Hey there Alanie...how ya?
Just checkin out your blog and the snow..YIKES...i am here in wet Arizona..raining today..