Winter is just not my favorite season. Definitely wasn’t in the northeast, but even here with our comparatively mild winters it doesn’t really inspire me. Things are very plain in the winter garden. But we can always count on the birds to keep us entertained. 🙂

I did the Feederwatch count by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology this year and it really helped me get more in depth knowledge of on my resident birds, and the surprise birds I had no idea were even here. Much activity finds itself around my feeders, in the native trees and shrubs and its great that they find my yard a good place to hang out.

A shy Tufted Titmouse contemplating a chilly dip in the water planter,

and a much bolder white-crowned sparrow inspecting the same planter, and then…..

just going for it!

Pine Siskins having an adorable splash in the bird bath.

We’ve have so many this year – over 50. But sadly soon they will leave us to migrate north to begin their breeding season, and their absence will be felt with 2 weeks of solemn quiet at the abandoned thistle feeders, until the lesser goldfinches come chirping back in. But right now its just happy chaos.

And while we’re waiting for things to warm up Sadie is taking long snoozes between watching the squirrels outside and eating of course. 🙂

I’ve kept my Mexican Flame vine in the house on cold days, only bringing it out when it’s above 40 and it has thanked me with some beautiful surprise blooms which a solitary Painted Lady butterfly gratefully appreciated. It was nice to see some color in the drab garden.It seems that spring is not that far away.