Wednesday, March 5, 2014

A Sleety Day

How is it we are in the first week of March and still seeing nasty, sleety days? The poor birds. I photographed these from our boat port window, but even being inside there it was too cold to last long! Once my lens iced over, I waved the white flag. That scared me.
Dark-eyed junco

Brown thrasher keeping one foot warm.

The sleet has beaten Mrs. Cardinal's crest into submission.

You talkin' 'bout my woman?


Mrs. Red-bellied is having a bad hair day, too.
Don't you just want to run a comb through it?

Her retort: Hey lady, try to eat a meal in the sleet and see how your hair looks!

Red-winged blackbird hunkered down

Grackle (probably common). Looks like he's in a bad mood and I don't blame him.
Hope everyone is staying warm!

Linking with the generous hosts of

41 comments:

Nancy said...

Poor birdies! I do think the moisture helped to define their features however. Great!

Hootin Anni said...

Dang....look at that ice. Makes ME shiver. Bitter cold, I'd be like Mrs. Cardinal...only I'd submit much sooner, I'm sure.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh those poor birds but you make them look so beautiful. I do hope it warms up for all of you. BTW you are funny. Hug B

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i love the "are you talking about my woman"??! that is too funny!! ( :

those birds are tough. no wimps allowed. no sir. not on an icy day. they have to stay home.

Anvilcloud said...

Sleet is ugga mugga. :)

But your pics are not ugga mugga.

Or maybe I don't know what ugga mugga means.

lol

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

Love them boids

You have some serious patience

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I love the Brown Thrasher. That's one of the very first birds I vividly remember identifying when I was a childhood bird watcher haha. And I love the pic of the female cardinal!!

Barbara said...

Poor things. We had sparrows all over our birdfeeder yesterday, even though it was covered in icicles. They're probably wondering what the heck is going on with the weather, too!

rainfield61 said...

Poor things, we have bush fires here and there, and where the birds should go?

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

These are all great, but the one of the female cardinal stole my heart. It's just such a beautiful photograph, not only because of the lovely bird, but the green leaves and icicles add their own charm.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Yeah, if your camera is freezing you probably are too. Gosh, what a winter.

Beautiful and brave birds!

Karen said...

Poor birds! Such weird weather everywhere. You got some terrific shots!

TexWisGirl said...

they DO look miserable! winter has been much longer (and colder) for our region. not as tough as others for snowfall and ice, maybe, but tough enough on us winter wimps.

hootnonny said...

Gail, these are fantastic shots! How do birds stay warm in the winter (the ones that don't go south)? Just wondering.

It sleeted here this week too. I noticed a lot of trees in full bloom this week...but none I could get to.

Rohrerbot said...

Come rain or snow, they somehow figure out how to survive! Love the coloring on your Common Grackle.

Kim Stevens said...

Oh Gail these are just spectacular shots, wow, wow, wow, love them!

Gordon said...

These are amazing shots, but not just for the birds which are very good. Its the fact they (as well as your selved)are still having to put up with such bad weather conditions.
All the best Gordon.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

ALL wonderful shots. I just do not know how these birds survive your terrible cold weather but I suppose you feed the birds to help them.(I hope)

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I like the edge of the fence in your pictures, and the red winged blackbird is so pretty!

Inspired By June said...

I don't think the birds like this weather anymore than we do! These are fabulous, Gail! My fav is Mrs. Cardinal, the ice on the tree, etc - just wow! Great capture!

Anonymous said...

They don't look real happy.

DeniseinVA said...

Fantastic photos Gail! I expect they will be as glad to see spring as we will, poor things.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Great photos.

Anni said...

I had to bring Bud in here to show him your post. We both think that Mrs. Cardinal looks mighty disgusted with the cold too!! Altho, she's still stunning.

Unknown said...

You managed to capture some amazing photos though before your lens froze over.

Barb said...

The sleet and ice as backdrop to your crisp bird shots is wonderful (but I guess not for the birds...).

Anonymous said...

Great shots, even with a frozen lens. I love the Brown Thrasher. Haven't seen one in a while.

Anonymous said...

Great shots, even with a frozen lens. I love the Brown Thrasher. Haven't seen one in a while.

Brian King said...

All gorgeous photos! There's something to be said for photographing in the snow or ice.

Neil said...

Beautiful photos.

renae said...

Oh my goodness Gail, each one of these photographs of these tender birds are adorable. I love your commentary to each one, too. {especially the messy hair that needs combing}

Yes, God has been comforting me. I love a scripture lately that says:
"Pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions" Jacob 3:1

I am sure He is consoling me each day and will continue. It is the reality of the thing that gets to me, dang!

Love to you dear friend! Love!

eileeninmd said...

Cute series of birds and photos! I love the Brown Thrasher! I hope this winter ends soon, I have had enough!

Jen said...

The birds look a little beaten down. Spring can't get here fast enough for any of us.

Anonymous said...

Hi Gail, your awesome captures never cease to amaze and delight me.
Thanks for sharing the beauty you see.
:)

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Oh my- they all look a bit beaten down and frozen...poor birds. I always wonder how they stay warm...even with their feathers it has to be a chore to keep from freezing.

EG CameraGirl said...

Even though it's cold there, I bet they are feeling pretty lucky to not have traveled very far north. ;))

Charlotte Wilson said...

I know they must be sick of the cold weather just like all of us. Your captions are too funny.

Shug said...

I see that you all did get some sleet...ours is finally melting. Just amazing at the different patterns that each bird has. Their coloring always amazes me. Beautiful creatures to watch...
Hope you all have some bright sunshine this week...hope we do too!

Unknown said...

Incredible photography, Gail!

Helma said...

I see birds that you will never see in the Netherlands. Beautiful colors and have them you have them photographed Gail also brilliant. My compliments.

Suzan said...

Started out thinking - great woodpecker, Neat red winged black bird, but get to the Grackle--- awesome colors --- Each shot is as good as the next!!