As I do on the first Thursday of each month, I enjoy looking back over my archived photos, taken three years previously, in March, 2021, to remember how things were then as contrasted with events this year at our new home in Connecticut. As usual, I searched for images which reflected favorite memes: critters of all kinds (especially birds), skies and clouds, reflections, flowers and scenes which ..read more

On Tuesday night, a coastal cyclone type storm (Nor'easter, so named because its strongest winds are from the northeast) pounded us with high winds and overnight snowfall accumulation of 14 inches ( 35 cm). The next day the sky was clear, but the temperature remained well below freezing with strong  gusty winds. Lights flickered and some residents lost electrical power.The day before the ..read more

When I started birding as a kid in New Jersey in the 1940's, Eastern Bluebirds were generally absent from the northeastern US during the winter, although some did persist all year in coastal areas. They have since expanded their year-round range northward and inland, to include southern New England. The provision of artificial nest boxes as well as other factors such as climate change and feeders ..read more

As I do on the first Thursday of each month, I enjoy looking back over my archived photos, taken three years previously, in February, 2021, to remember how things were then as contrasted with events this year at our new home in Connecticut. As usual, I searched for images which reflected favorite memes: critters of all kinds (especially birds), skies and clouds, reflections, flowers and scenes ..read more

As compared to the breeding season, a greater number of birds visit our back yard during the winter months, but there is less variety in species. We had several bouts of light snow and very cold temperatures. This morning all the snow has disappeared, drenched by warm overnight rainfall. I did not venture out except for a medical appointment. All of this week's photos were taken through the ..read more

Sparrows are the most common birds to visit our yard and feeders. During the warm months, resident Chipping Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Eastern Towhees and a few Field Sparrows prevail, along with introduced House Sparrows. All disappear in winter, except for a few hardy Song Sparrows and House Sparrows, replaced by an influx of Juncos and White-throated Sparrows. Less common to rare during the ..read more

This week we had our first significant snowfall in 2 years. It was preceded by mostly dry and cold weather. Because of the prolonged sub-freezing temperatures, there was a lack of natural water sources for wildlife. We kept the bird baths filled. My observations and photos were limited to views through the windows.  A male Red-bellied Woodpecker brightened the scene and dominated the ..read more

As I do on the first Thursday of each month, I enjoy looking back over my archived photos, taken three years previously, in January, 2021, to remember how things were then as contrasted with events this year at our new home in Connecticut. As usual, I searched for images which reflected favorite memes: critters of all kinds (especially birds), skies and clouds, reflections, flowers and scenes ..read more

Eastern Bluebirds are regularly inspecting one of our two nest boxes. A few weeks earlier I had cleaned out this one after seeing the bluebirds enter them. They often emerged from the entrance to discard some of nesting material left over by the Tree Swallows which nested in it this past spring. I had let nature take its course and allowed the Tree Swallows to usurp the original occupants ..read more

A large plastic jar of peanut butter was damaged in shipping and some of its contents spilled out, rendering it inedible. The shipper's policies did not provide for refund or replacement of food items, but the incident turned out to be positive for the birds. Conveniently, our small White Pine had produced its first crop of a dozen female cones. We stuffed the spaces between the bracts with ..read more