My Poor Birds

Yesterday was bitter.  And, the poor birds must have been suffering.  They were at the feeder all day long.  I had to keep going out and replenishing the supply of seed and corn, all during the day.  All told, I went through two day's normal supply of sunflower seeds, and four day's supply of cracked corn.  I'd no sooner put more out than this would be the scene at the feeder.

I saw a few squirrels, but not as many as I thought I would.  They mainly came in ones and twos, not in the nines and tens I have seen at the feeder at one time.  I suspect that they were curled up in their winter nests, maybe eating the emergency supplies that they had stashed.  Then, too, I think that mammals can go for a bit without food, unlike the birds which carry no extra fat.

But, the ducks!  Usually, they come just at dusk, but, yesterday, they were here all day long.  It started with one lone Mallard.

But, he must have gone and told all of his friends because it seems that, every time I looked out, this is what I saw.

They're very interesting birds who seem to have some kind of flock awareness.  There are always some watching for danger, as the rest eat.

Such beautiful creatures.  It's a pleasure to have them around, even if they do eat me out of house and home.

They came right until dusk, some even sitting in the snow, just waiting, even as the sun set.

It's negative six degrees here right now.  After I finish this, I'm going to suit up and put the first batch of food for the day out.  I wonder if I'll have as many visitors today as I did yesterday?