It’s been cold up here and I’ve been hibernating in the house. The day before yesterday we finally got to double digit temperatures (Fahrenheit and above zero!). Sitting on the sofa, camera by my side I was watching the lake when this big guy stopped by to look for lunch.
I got to see him run up and down the tree, then fly past my window. He was really cool in flight, maybe someday I’ll catch that too.
And yesterday on a walk down the street I got only two driveways away when I heard a soft chirping. I looked up and saw this:
A whole flock of something. Can you guess? Does this help?
Yes you are correct! A huge flock of cedar wax wings! Those in the tree were resting after a big lunch. Lunch was a buffet on a tree full of red berries.
I cropped the heck out of that shot, and I liked the artsy form it took on when I tried to get the bird’s colors to show.
I think I saw a bald eagle when I was out too, but it was way too far away for me to be sure. I’ll be here another day, and I’ve seen them fly down the shore before, so you never know.
Stay tuned.
Change Is Hard 
December 30, 2017 at 7:31 am
Good morning Dawn! You have a nature lovers heart and a photographers eye….again, such beautiful pictures! Enjoyed seeing those pictures first thing this morning. (4:30 am here, I’m an early riser. 🙂 )
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January 1, 2018 at 11:36 am
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed them. While I was out of town (up north) I got to sleep in most days, though Lydia the cat got me up at 4:30 one morning. Last night I was home for the first day in 7 nights, and this morning, the first day of 2018 Katie insisted on getting me up at 4:30. Sigh. I thought maybe she was over it and would appreciate just having me with her. No such luck. Silly girl.
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December 30, 2017 at 8:22 am
God, that is cold!!!!! But I’m glad you are enjoying your time there and taking such wonderful photos. I also really like the one you say you cropped the hell out of – it was worth it!
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January 1, 2018 at 11:38 am
I really like that one too. And yes it was SOOOOOO cold. On a couple of outings I couldn’t feel my fingers and wasn’t sure if I actually took a picture or not! I didn’t stay outside very long on most of the photo shoots…only once did I even leave the yard!
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December 30, 2017 at 9:22 am
I am thankful we are in the warm part of the country for the winter, but I admit to being just a little jealous of the fabulous winter shots you are getting. Nice job!!
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January 1, 2018 at 11:39 am
It would be nice to visit cold places, right? But not live there! I know what you mean. I’m ready to visit somewhere warmer for a few months now. I’m all done with cold. Today it was 2 degrees when Katie wanted to go out and then she just sniffed around a bit and we went back in. Sigh.
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December 30, 2017 at 9:54 am
Cool Pileated Woodpecker shot. I never seem to have a camera ready when I see one, and if I do, they always disappear before I can get them in focus.
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January 1, 2018 at 11:40 am
They are so skittish! This one landed on a tree right outside the window and my camera was sitting on the sofa right next to me. So I carefully picked it up and casually took a few shots. I had to crop out all the indoor furniture that showed in the original image! 🙂
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December 30, 2017 at 12:47 pm
I’ve had one of those red headed woodpeckers going up and down my tree, Lee sent me out to chase him away when he decided to try and drill a hole in our tree. Love all your beautiful photography. I saw on the news where they were picking frozen concord grapes up by Lake Michigan ~ they say frozen grapes makes the sweetest wines, but that has to be a terribly cold job.
Happy New Year!
Sweet William The Scot
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January 1, 2018 at 11:42 am
I saw that on the news too, about the frozen grapes. Personally I LOVE frozen grapes, but you’re not allowed to have those treats William. You can have other frozen stuff though. I saw a recipe online for frozen treats for dogs. I bet Lee would make you some if you ask. It was just yogurt and blueberries and some other fruit I forget, but you could just use yogurt and blueberries…put into a blender for a little bit, then poured into ice cube trays. I think you’d like them. I’m thinking of making them for Katie if I can find the recipe again.
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December 30, 2017 at 2:13 pm
Nice pic of the pileated. I always think of them as ancient flying dinosaurs. Gosh, it’s cold. Stay warm! Happiest of New years!
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January 1, 2018 at 11:44 am
It’s very cold. I feel like I’m all done with cold now that I’m back home. It’s still cold down here, but at least we have sun…there was nothing but day after day of lake effect snow up at Northport the week I was there. Plus bone chilling cold. I can see how a person would get cabin fever even in such a beautiful place!
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December 30, 2017 at 4:57 pm
Florida is going down to 26 tonight. I won’t outside photographing anything so I really appreciate yours. The bird eating the berry–wow!
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January 1, 2018 at 11:44 am
I love the bird shot too. 26 is pretty darn cold especially for Florida! I hope that’s all done now and you’re back to sunshine and warm days and nights!
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January 1, 2018 at 12:20 pm
wind chill is 13 today–to be that way all week. what the heck??!!
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January 1, 2018 at 12:28 pm
Terrible!!! No sense me coming down to Florida then!!
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January 1, 2018 at 1:34 pm
Ha! I’ll see you in May. 🙂
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December 30, 2017 at 4:58 pm
Happy New Year, Dawn! It has been my experience that sightings of bald eagles coincide with January 1. So, I hope you have a chance to get out that day!
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January 1, 2018 at 11:45 am
I didn’t see a bald eagle this trip. Sometimes I do, mostly I don’t. Today is Jan 1 and I’m back home where at least we have sunshine! Even though it was 2 degrees this morning and way too cold to take the dog out to pee. Which she decided she didn’t need to do after we got out there. Sigh….
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December 30, 2017 at 7:04 pm
wow I have yet to see a Cedar Wax Wing! Or a Pileated woodpecker- great shots Dawn! Happy New Year to you!
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January 1, 2018 at 11:47 am
I don’t see them every year, but it’s usually late fall around here, they come through in flocks, and are only in the area for one day, so it’s all just luck if I see them. They are SOOOO beautiful! I was very lucky that I happened to go out for my walk at the same time they were next door to where I was staying! I think most of those in the tree were full from eating and were resting. There were only a couple in the berry tree. When I got back from my walk they were gone.
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January 1, 2018 at 10:58 am
WE don’t see cedar wax wings in the Keys. We wish you a happy and safe 2018. We are definitely ready for 2018, the year of the Dog.
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January 1, 2018 at 11:49 am
I went to see their range: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cedar_waxwing It says they should be down there in the winter, but then again it says they live around here year round and I only EVER see them as they are migrating through, for one afternoon a year, if that. So there you go! Happy 2018 to you guys! It’s just GOT to be better than 2017 for you!!
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January 3, 2018 at 12:46 am
Yay for birds! Sometimes I think they know more than we do about how this world is supposed to operate. Today a house finch and a varied thrush appeared at my feeders, first time in 10 weeks, which means spring is on its way!
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January 3, 2018 at 3:24 pm
You are the first to mention SPRING!!!! I can’t wait! Thanks for stopping by and giving me hope.
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January 4, 2018 at 11:19 am
Thanks for the colorful birds, Dawn. Cheery notes in a cold landscape!
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January 4, 2018 at 11:36 am
You are welcome P.J.! I love finding birds, especially in cold dreary winter days.
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