Day 364: December 30th - Winter for sure….

Low 30s, windy, and clear

       No snow today, but the strong winds are blowing yesterday’s coating all around and making it look like a blizzard at times.  Winds between 25 and 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph make the low 30s feel like the low 20s.  Bottom line….it’s cold.

       We drove back home from Cornwall this afternoon and stopped along the way to admire the beautiful snowscapes now being altered on a minute by minute basis by the howling winds.  Moodna Creek was absolutely breath-taking in terms of beauty and chilling temps.  The waterfowl so often seen on these waters was nowhere to be found.  The ducks and geese had more than likely found someplace out of the breeze and hopefully in the sun.

       We checked for our Common redpolls at Earl Reservoir, hoping to find them along the roadway into the area or feeding on the catkins of the birches where we found them two weeks ago.  They too had obviously been wiser than we and had found sanctuary in a deep hollow or behind some heavy vegetation.

Driving into Earl Reservoir 

       The birds we did find were those we expect to see along the roads at this time of year.  Just like yesterday, the Dark-eyed juncos were present and visable by the hundreds.  Trying to capture a photo of these little guys is difficult to say the least, however.  It’s as if they are intentionally teasing you as they lure you closer in the car and then when you raise the camera, off they go.  They only fly far enough so that you can’t possibly get a good shot given their diminutive size.  So, we again drive slowly along, approaching them ever so quietly.  As we get close,  off they go again.  I finally found one more interested in trying to find something to eat on the cold snow covered grounds and managed to get one shot off before he too took off.

       The only other birds out and about on the blustery day seemed to be the titmice, chickadees, and the White-throated sparrows.  In spite of the lack of diversity seen today, the backdrop for all these winter birds was so spectacular as to make the entire outing more than worth-while. 

       Our final stop was out on Iona Island for once last look this year.  Juncos and a few Northern mockers which we always seem to find out here were the only game in town, but once again, the splendor of the winter scenery was all we needed.  Days like this remind us why we don’t live in Florida year round, but a few more nights like are predicted for this evening (still windy and 17 degrees!) bring us back to the reality of why it is we do in fact head down to Florida each winter.  Won’t be long now.