Somehow Things Survive

It has been a harsh winter so far.  Almost the all time highest snowfall for any month ever fell in December.  If we get just "average" snowfall for the rest of the season we will have the third highest annual snowfall in recorded history.  The bird feeders are emptied in very short time, and Bill fills them regularly.  I even did it once this week, as they were more depleted than normal by Thursday and there is severely cold weather coming. 

I find it interesting that no one seems to have much interest in the brightly colored berries of the Viburnum bushes that are so plentiful along the creek.  These bushes are often billed as having berries that are tempting to birds.  But obviously not all that tempting when compared to fresh sunflower and thistle seeds. 

In the morning, the birds generally come to the feeders in d roves just after sunrise on days when the temperature is above 10 degrees or so.  Huge numbers of goldfinches, lots of house finches, chickadees and juncos, 5 or 10 mourning doves, and two pairs of cardinals are the regulars.  Some sparrows are also around, and there could be others I'm not picking out.  Occasionally a small woodpecker makes its way up the honey locust tree nearby.

Rabbits and squirrels are plentiful also.  There are many tracks and trails through the yard, mainly running from the willow/ash edge to the "bird" feeders and back.  Evidence that I should have protected some of the shrubs is clear.  Maybe I'll try to get out and do that this weekend, though it could be too late to save the "Burning Bush" Euonymous near the feeders.