Of the Johnstown Christmas Bird Count yesterday. The weather was not so hot and the traffic was horrendous, but we saw a huge number of geese on farm fields and in the sky, a few mallards, and a nifty red-bellied woodpecker, among a bunch of the usual suspects. (Those are robins in that tree)
I was tickled to be able to pish the wood pecker out of hiding right from the front seat of the truck. He was doing gymnastics trying to see what was making that funny noise.
The Mallard mob
The poor economy and the high cost of sunflower seeds was made very evident by the dozens of empty bird feeders, some of them ones that we have counted for years and years. I am sure the birds aren't much inconvenienced, as there is really no snow yet and lots of natural food, but it was a bit of a handicap for count folks.
A very Merry Christmas to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteMay you have a safe, happy, healthy coming new year. I hope the winter is mild and kind to your cows, horses, dogs, and all the birds that drop by to see you.
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI hope it is filled with joy.
Cool. I've never done a bird count, but always wanted to. I admire the intrepid souls that slog out into the cold to tally our dear feathered friends.
ReplyDeleteAnd I wish to second all the sweet wishes that Keith sent along. And also FC's wish for joy. Can't think of more deserving folks.
Merry Christmas, Marianne :)
Keith, thank you so much, kind sir. Yours and Cathy's shine through the year like a beacon for me and mean a lot. Take care, Merry Christmas and thanks again.
ReplyDeleteFC, thank you, and Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family.
Cathy, thank you, as I said to Keith, your kindness, both of you, means a lot to me. Take care and have a wonderful Christmas! (And alas, this year, we did most of our slogging from the truck. lol. It was raining and cold and the birds were kind of quiet so we covered ground instead of walking.)