Chasing birds in a different climate

These two beautiful yellow Labrador Retrievers are friends of my two labs. Their names are Chloe and Sarah and they spend the winter in Florida with their people.

They love Florida because they can swim every day if they want. Here they sun themselves on a lounger near the pool waiting to go for a walk, possibly on the golf course.

That is their hope - the golf course, because there are so many different and big birds there. Much different from the ones they see in Ontario where they spend the summers. And these girls love to run and swim.

But in the golf  course pond behind the two storks and the Great blue heron you can just see what looks like a log. It's not - it's an alligator and it looks as if it's trying to sneak up on the birds. This is why the dogs can never go for long runs on the golf course - too many alligators and too much danger for unsuspecting but very beautiful Labrador girls.

It's fun to see green grass and southern birds when there is snow blowing outside my window. And to know that there are places in the world today where it's warm and lovely. I think I'm longing for some sun! But then it's Sunday so that would be appropriate, yes?

Hope you are enjoying your day wherever you are and get some time to relax as Sarah and Chloe obviously are. And thank you to Sarah and Chloe's people for sending these terrific photographs.

Early morning breakfast at home

It's snowing, well sort of snowing.  It's way too mild for real snow so it's mixed with rain - a combination that's deadly on the roads. I think I'll stay off them today.

I can't help noticing all the action outside my deck door and windows.

The birds are obviously glad that my feeders are full on all sides of the house.

Mostly goldfinches and their cohorts, house and purple finches. But I've spotted some pine siskins as well as the other regulars, chickadees and white breasted nuthatches, woodpeckers, mourning doves and blue jays.

Birds squabble over perches on a silo hanging feeder, some are more "polite" and wait on the rail.






And then there is  the feeder attached to my weeping birch... more little birds and bigger ones too - the constant flutter is almost audible through the closed window.

The snow continues, but goes back and forth between rain, sleet and actual snow. The birds continue to flock and suddenly disappear, then return in twos and threes, only to flutter away again. Is my friend the sharp-shinned hawk hovering nearby I wonder?

It's a busy morning outside my home this day.

Some time in the future I'll learn how to take a movie with my camera and post it - the activity, the noise of little wings, the continual calling back and forth is completely delightful and I'd love to share it. It reminds me that whatever my worries or concerns, life on this planet outside of human activity, continues at its own pace. Seems to me it's just fine today to become engrossed in all these happenings outside my home and enjoy the gift - abundance in nature.