We ended up getting 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) of snow in the storm that concluded yesterday. That may not sound like a lot of snow, but it was enough for the federal government and all of the school districts in the Washington D.C. area to be closed for the day. The roads were icy in my neighborhood, so I played it safe and did not venture out in my car at all.
However, I did go for a walk in my townhouse community in search of birds. It felt a little strange to be carrying a long telephoto zoom lens in such a heavily populated area and I alternately between feeling like a Peeping Tom and a member of the paparazzi.
I was happy to find a few birds in a strip of woods in our community, including this Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis). It was initially foraging on the ground when I spotted it, as you can see in the first photo, and then flew into some trees when I took a few steps closer.
It is sunny out today and the roads are mostly clear, but that is a bit deceptive, because the temperature was only 14 degrees (-10 degrees C), the last time I checked. Yikes! I have not reviewed all of my photos from yesterday, so I probably will stay inside and finish that review, rather than venture out with my camera today.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
That first pic of our winter visitor in the snow is great!
You had more luck with the snow, the promissed snow didn’t reach Antwerp today. Only the south-east of Belgium got some important snowfall.
I love Juncos, just so cute and unassuming…and busy!
I’ve felt that same oddness walking our neighborhood with a camera, even when I get my cellphone out to take a sunrise or bird pic I half expect someone to challenge what I’m up to.
I laughed when I read the second half of your response. I find it a little awkward to take photos when lots of people are around, which is why I would have trouble being an urban photographer.
Truth is Ellen walking around hidden by her big floppy hat and dark glasses looks a bit shifty.
We cleared a spot in our yard and put down some no-waste seed. These guys love it.
I love my Juncos just wish they would come see me in summer lol I see the first one show up and I say OH NO I want to say hello where have you been? ❤
We have a lot of juncos foraging on the ground underneath our feeders. It’s funny how you hardly ever see them except when it snows. They start becoming visible when snow is in the forecast. No wonder they are called snowbirds. They are so cute and puffed up. Their little legs are so slender compared to their fluffy bodies.
I love your description, Nina, of these puffy little birds
I’ve always thought they look as if someone grabbed them by the legs and dunked them in an inkwell. Yep, i am dating myself with that image. Nonetheless great little active birds!
I am not quite old enough to have had personal experience with inkwells, I recall hearing of girls that had their pigtails dipped into inkwell and I vaguely seem to remember seeing school desks that had inkwells. 🙂
I also remember the inkwell, though not the ink.