Tiny Ten

Fourth day with heavy ice still coating...everything.  The little birds were slip-sliding away on the branches as they took little breaks from devouring seeds and cracked corn.  This is my 10th yard bird to be blipped in 2019 - the diminutive American Tree Sparrow, in the Genus Spizella.  

These medium-distance migrants breed in northern Canada and Alaska and winter in our area (and fairly far south, too).  They look similar to their close relative, the Chipping Sparrow, but can be distinquished easily by their two-colored bill and a diagnostic dark spot on their breast.  And, in our area, there is only a brief time when the two species every overlap since chipping sparrows winter further south.

Also in the yard today was an unusual colored male cardinal with much more yellow in his plumage than I'd normally expect to see this time of year.  The heavy ice cover also brought in a few grackles and starlings and a single Song Sparrow, the first I've seen this winter.  

Day three at the gym for this week.  Forty-five minutes on the treadmill at a 3.7 MPH pace.  Keeps my heart in a good range for overall cardiac fitness, which is what I'm aiming for.  Abs and stretching completed the workout.  

Temps are supposed to approach 50 F tomorrow so hopefully some of this wretched ice will melt.  While it does make for interesting photos, it is treacherous to walk on and, frankly, I'm tired of it.

Thanks so much for the hearts and stars on my little wren yesterday.  He was out there again today, being utterly adorable.

xo
Debbi