Well, it's here at last. An old fashioned Minnesota snowstorm. Everything is covered in a blanket of white, including my winter favorite, the bird feeder.
I used to throw a couple handfuls of sunflower on the ground and let the critters find it, but I and they have become much more sophisticated. Now they have a feeder that is about 2 feet by 4 feet and several other little contraptions.
There are thistle seed feeders and sometimes I can count nearly 50 pine siskins hanging from them. They are a beautiful gray and yellow bird, seemingly unruffled even when the surly Bluejay tries to chase them off.
We've had cardinals and 12 other varieties I'd never seen before. My favorite is the really small pygmy nuthatch. He's afraid of almost all of the other birds because he could be hurt so easily.
A few will sit and look in the window, waiting for me to finish my coffee and get their breakfast. They're patient but persistent. I put out several suet blocks and watch the pileated woodpecker devour them in great chunks. He has a wingspan similar to a B52 and a beak capable of opening a Volkswagon.
A problem for most of our winter residents is water. To get enough water, they have to eat snow and that in turn lowers their core temperature. Keeping an open supply of water has made our yard a main attraction to the local wildlife, deer included. A small electric heater in the bottom of a rubber feed tray did the trick. Then as it gets dark, the deer come into the yard and clean up all the leftovers so there will be fresh food for breakfast.
The birds have become accustomed to a diet of items they would never find in the wild. Raisins, prunes and peanuts still in the shell and stale caramel rolls have become their favorites. Each time I go to buy bird food, I come home with another load of goodies for my feathered friends. So far it hasn't cost all that much and my bride has been tolerant of my eccentricities. I am however hopeful this will continue when the truck from the feedstore makes its next scheduled delivery.
And so from the land of tall pines and tall tales, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.
Ron
www.ronshepherd.com