Feathers and Fuzz

one woman's cure for the empty-nester blues

Bluebird

Georgia Winter Wildlife: Out and About

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Cardinal in Sun

It's that time of year when we Georgian's have had quite enough of winter.  Just when I was starting to feel a bit ornery about this fact, a male Cardinal landed on the feeder ... his red feathers aglow in the afternoon sun.  What a gift!  

I reflected on how much winter wildlife does to brighten the landscape and tide me over until the grass turns green again and flowers open their kaleidoscope to the summer sun.  

So ...I'm going to stop talking ... and just jump right into sharing the gift of Georgia's winter wildlife.  

Polar Bear Plunge: Bluebird Style

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Do birds really use a birdbath in winter?  You bet!  Even though Georgia has faced weeks of temps ranging from the teens to the low 30's, birds are all over the property -- constantly at/in the birdbaths (and chowing down at every feeder).

The photo harkens back to my Scandinavian roots -- the blue and yellow of the Swedish flag.  It's truly amazing there were no Finch busy-bodies to muddy the image.  

Swedish Colors 2018

Eastern Bluebird and Pine Warbler

Carrying forward the Scandinavian theme, the featured video confirms that birds happily participate in the Polar Bear Plunge.  The 30 degree temps didn't deter a female Eastern Bluebird one bit as she goes all-in.  Naturally, numerous Finch busy-bodies danced ringside.

I, on the other hand, headed for a warm shower.  Minnesota roots or not, there's just something about observing icy bathing that makes the chill run deep.  Reminds me of my friend with Vermont roots.  She LOVES to send me pictures of her mom's lab, Buster, going for a winter swim amid ice chunks floating in the river.  Yeah.  I take a lot of warm showers in the winter.