Fabulous Fourteen

I decided to go with an American Goldfinch for today's blip - yard bird # 14 to appear here this year.  I'll post one again in the summer when they've molted into their brilliant breeding plumage.  These small finches are the only N. American finch to undergo two complete molts a year, changing their wardrobes completely.  

As you can see, the snow arrived today.  It continued for several hours before changing to the dreaded freezing rain, which has left a thick coating of ice over several inches of fluffy snow.  Tomorrow morning it will be like a skating rink outside since the temps tonight will drop into the low 20's F.  I love the snow but hate the ice as it makes being outside just miserable.  Oh well.

The gym was closed today so we hung close to home with the fire blazing.  I took a nice assortment of snowy bird shots through the window, but this one was taken outside during the brief period when the camera and I bundled up against the elements.  

I maintain that February is the most wretched month of the year.  It feels like the longest month in this part of the country because spring feels so far away.  But, on the upside, we're nearly half through the month.  And then we only have to get through March before we start to see a few signs of spring... hopefully.

Had a great chat with my parents this morning who are still in Yuma...where it was 39 F this morning - brrrr.  Then this afternoon I caught up with a long-time friend for several hours on the phone.  We've not seen each other in over 10 years, but have known each other for ...oh, my goodness...nearly 40 years.  It was wonderful fun getting caught up on each other's lives.  

Now, off to sit in front of the fire...

xo
Debbi