The weathermen missed the January event – it snowed and iced a lot further north than they expected. They hedged their bets on this one – the governor of Georgia even declared an emergency before the first snowflake fell. But one thing is assured – when it snows, the birds will make a visit to our yard because my wife keeps the feeder full. Here are a few images from some of the birds that were about while I made my foray into the snow.
Our Feeder in the Snow
Georgia’s State Bird: Brown Thrasher – Toxostoma rufum – visits our yard frequently, but comes out in the open more in the winter than during the summer.
I have a hard time identifying many sparrows – I think this is a Chipping Sparrow – Spizella passerina – which obviously has just left the feeder.
While American Robins (Turdus migratorius) frequent our yard year-round, there are certainly fewer in the winter.
The Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) is among our favortie year-round visitors to our yard. This one is a female.
Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) are daily visitors.
Carolina Chickadee (making an assumption this is not Black-capped based on our north Georgia location) in a snowy Bradford Pear tree.
Another sparrow – I think this one is a Song Sparrow – Melospiza melodia. I like the “stretch.”
Always waiting for an opportunity at our feeders…