Snow Days

 Birds waiting for a spot at the feeder                                      © Diane B. Reed

Winter has arrived in all its glory. The snow started yesterday, paused for a few hours, then gifted us with 4 inches of fluffy, sparkling snow overnight. Everyone is shoveling, plowing and snow-blowing, though a second and third wave of snow is expected tonight and tomorrow.

Cedar Waxwings looking for berries  © Diane B. Reed

For the birds, finding food is the top priority. A flock of Cedar Waxwings stopped by, stripping berries from the tree across the street. The birds are queuing up for the bird feeder and the ground feeders are scratching around in the fluffy snow for seeds that have been dropped. It's a hard time of the year for the birds, if you have a feeder don't forget to fill it!

We feel pretty lucky that we were able to make a recent driving trip to Denver and back without any serious snowstorms. In fact, the worst weather we encountered was in the Blue Mountains -- dense fog and icy patches. Hit that coming and going.

Snowy landscape at the pond                             © Diane B. Reed

So we plan to enjoy the snowy weather. It's beautiful and much needed. Precipitation is significantly down here and in the West. Our farms and vineyards will need the water this summer, so bring it on!