Birds of January

The geese are simply gone, but I see the robins often. I was kinda glooming and dooming while I was feeding the chickens yesterday, just grumpy about breakdowns and assorted other problems, when suddenly I heard the familiar musical chirping from a box elder at the edge of the yard. A big fat fellow had picked out a promising perch, and although he wasn't singing, he had selected a great spot for spring concerts.....Instant mood improvement.

A song sparrow showed up at the feeder yesterday too.First one I've seen all winter. We do have four or five white-crowned sparrows and some white-throated sparrows, lots of juncos, chickadees, cardinals and such, plus a lonesome Carolina wren that showed up just once. Mallards flying fast and setting up a racket whip by the house every now and then.

The girls Becky works with down at Mickie D's see a bald eagle there most days, fishing the river with the gulls and mergansers.

Alas Mandy's baby didn't make it. She was just too early to survive. We have saved several extremely premature calves over the years, by intensive nursing and careful care. However, this poor little girl was just too, too early. At least Mandy is doing pretty well. Despite caling so early, she did come into milk and she seems to feel quite good. She is a big, wonderful, sweet, old cow and I am grateful for that.