Exactly one week ago, we had another snowy blast. We have had both a white Thanksgiving and a white Christmas! It is always a welcome sight since it helps replenish the forest after a dry summer and fall.
Our goal is to get on a trail while the snow is fresh. Our Viking friends would be proud of our choice of a picnic site in the snow. However, they are much tougher than us!
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Winter storms are a challenge for our resident birds but most of them are resilient survivors. Some have cached away food for tough times like these clever woodpeckers.
Some birds deal with the cold nights by roosting together in nest cavities. You may notice some birds using one of your birdhouses for a winter home at night.
Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna)
If you feed the birds in the winter, be sure to knock the snow and ice off of the feeders every day and replace the froze hummingbird nectar. These birds amaze me! I was totally relieved when I discovered our resident hummingbird reappear after a couple of brutal days!
The melting of snow has encouraged birds to enjoy a proper "bath" to preen their feathers.
As lovely as the snow can be, there gets to be a point when you want a break from shoveling and icy driveways. What do you do if you live in Idyllwild? Head to the sand. Look for part 2.
Photos and content by Robin Roberts.
Click on photos to enlarge.
Winter storms are a challenge for our resident birds but most of them are resilient survivors. Some have cached away food for tough times like these clever woodpeckers.
If you feed the birds in the winter, be sure to knock the snow and ice off of the feeders every day and replace the froze hummingbird nectar. These birds amaze me! I was totally relieved when I discovered our resident hummingbird reappear after a couple of brutal days!
Photos and content by Robin Roberts.
Click on photos to enlarge.
