Winter Guest

My new friend is a female Ruby-crowned Kinglet (regulus calendula). Before she first stopped by three days ago for a midday snack, I had never heard of her species. This is the easternmost reach of her winter habitat.  She is one of the smallest of songbirds and lives on about 10 calories a day.  

I may not be much of a birder, but it's great to have a new species (to me) wander in and say hello.  I'm glad to give her food, too. Tonight we'll have one degree fahrenheit, or -17 with windchill factor.  I hope this little wanderer will find a warm niche to sleep in.