Similar/Different

Yesterday's blip also featured a female Varied Thrush looking off to the left, with an extra photo of three birds of that same species barely discernible amidst slow-laden branches. I took those photos at 10:45 a.m., although given the lack of light, it felt more like late afternoon.

Today we were blessed with sunshine -- what a difference that made to the birds and to me! I took today's photos just before noon. I think today's female Varied Thrush is a younger one than yesterday's, as her coloring is lighter. Perhaps she was one of the birds in yesterday's extra photo.

Today's extra is also a trio photo, but with more variety -- a Chestnut-Backed Chickadee on the bottom of the high feeder platform, a female Downy Woodpecker on the right, and a Red-Breasted Nuthatch on top of the suet cake holder -- and blue, blue sky!

The temperature didn't rise enough to melt the snow, however, so I'm hoping Wednesday's forecast for a high of 38F / 3C and a balmy 47F / 8C on Thursday, as well as rain for the next few days, comes to pass.

Mother Nature's gifts are balm to my soul as the DJT clown circus grows -- now including Betsy DeVos, confirmed today as Secretary of Education, despite having none of the qualities or experience that post requires. 

Senator Elizabeth Warren (Democrat, Massachusetts) was formally silenced during the Senate debate on the nomination of Jefferson Beauregard Sessions (Republican, Alabama) for Attorney General (read the links if you have time... what a contrast between those two!).

And the Dakota Access Pipeline will be pushed through. In the Washington Post article the link leads to, Dave Archambault II said "We are a sovereign nation and we will fight to protect our water and sacred places from the brazen private interests trying to push this pipeline through to benefit a few wealthy Americans with financial ties to the Trump administration."

Also from that article: "A Native Nations march on Washington has been planned for March 10, with the Standing Rock Sioux and others across the country expected to join protestors in demonstrating against the pipeline project."

I wish that I didn't live clear across the country from the other Washington at times like this.

Blip 1741