Snowbirds

Snow showers, along with other varieties of winter precipitation, keep coming on a wind that has shifted through northeast to north to northwest, bringing occasional sunny intervals and, at night, some hard frosts.

The most snow we've had on the ground at any time is three inches, but as it thaws and then freezes into ice, the new layers on top make for slippery conditions on roads and paths.

It's horrible weather for the birds, such as our resident robin, but it does bring us some pleasure in that....

....it's been driving in larger numbers of birds like goldfinches as well as....

....birds which we haven't seen for some time at the feeders. This was one of four wood pigeons that have visited us and....

....it was particularly pleasing to see the first siskin in many months. It was alone, so we hope it has now gone off to tell its friends and relatives about the feast that's available in our garden.