Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Anatomy of a Snow Storm

Phew!  What an interesting three days this has been.  Monday was dreary, cold and dull, with dirty snow and a depressed feeling in the air.  Only one good thing happened -- the Turkey Ladies made an appearance.

By evening there was a light, intermittent snow.  The sunset was muted, but beautiful.
By Tuesday morning, the world had changed.  It had been snowing all night, and it was bitterly cold.  I could tell it was going to be a good day to stay in.

I went out and shoveled, cleaned off the feeders and put sunflower seed down on the ground around noon.  As soon as I came back inside, the feeders were invaded by birds.  Poor things, they must have been very hungry, with all of their wild food covered with snow.  There were goldfinches, purple finches, cardinals, a downy woodpecker and a tufted titmouse.



But, the snow didn't stop.  By evening, everything was covered up again.  I went out one more time to shovel the area around the birdfeeder.  This cardinal was waiting in the lilac bush for me to finish.
The cars were creeping by the house.
Around four, the snow started to diminish, and we got just light flurries, until I went to bed.  It started to snow again, however, during the night, and when I woke up this morning there was much fresh snow on the ground.  It was beautiful in the blue light of early morning.

The infamous "pot garden" is covered and dead.
With the sun up further, everything was snowcovered and fresh. 
 But, the snow had stopped again.  So, out I went to shovel one more time.  I shoveled out the birdfeeder.

And, a path to the big tree, so the squirrels could get over to the feeder area easily.
 And, most importantly, I shoveled out, and around, the fire hydrant.
Then I came in and stood admiring my world, all clean and crisp and white.  The worst of the storm is over, though we are supposed to get scattered snow showers until Thursday night.  That will be great, just enough to keep everything white and beautiful.

14 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

Oh you're going to be very busy this winter with shoveling out your feeders! I laughed that you shoveled a path for the squirrels. How sweet! An equal opportunity feeder! :)

You're a blessing to them, for sure!!!

Sharon said...

I love it, Louise!

Beautiful pictures and the ladies visiting, wow! The birds watch for you to come and feed them, I have even had them land on the windowsill, and look in, to let me know they are out of seed. "You in there, lady?"

How nice of you to shovel a path for the squirrels!

You are a real softy, aren't you?

XXX

Tina said...

I love how crisp the colours come out on a sunny frickin cold winter day. Beautiful pictures. WHere we are we have so far been spared of all this heavy snowfall, but west of us it's been really bad. Only a little bit of snow here....

Janet said...

That made me laugh too ! [a path for the squirrels ] its the sort of thing I`d do ] hope you are keeping warm [bet all that shoveling snow helps ! ] take care xx

Jim said...

I enjoy the 'trips' around your yard Louise. So much going on! That reminds me that I have to pick up more seed for our birds.
I love a fresh covering of snow.........makes everything look new.
Nice post.
Jim

Terry said...

Oh, so nice to see the turkey ladies again. That second photo looks like a Christmas card. Some storm.

Jacqueline Donnelly said...

Wow! You got lots of snow! Here in Saratoga County we got just an inch or two -- just enough to look like winter at last. Your backyard critters are lucky to have you looking out for them.

IsobelleGoLightly said...

Tee hee - I laughed at your squirrel path too, Auntie Louise! Make 'em hop! hee hee hee

Lori Skoog said...

Did you see the sun today?

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Now THAT is a snowfall !
It makes for beautiful scenery, and 'the girls' seem to like it :)
It's all I can do to keep up with the bird feeders, today there were at least forty cowbirds eating the seeds...
Stay warm up there !

Inger said...

I loved your snow pictures. Oh, how I love snow. The turkey ladies were so cute, tip toeing through the snow. So dainty!--Inger

Upupaepops said...

I love that you are the type that would dig a trail for the squirrels

Ellen Rathbone said...

Wow - not everyone shovels paths so the squirrels can get TO the feeders! You rebel!

Liesl said...

Stunning pics Louise. It is so interesting to read about the doings of folks in the cold climates... I had a giggle at the path you made for the squirrels!