Wildlife on a Snowy Day

Winter started with a bang here in Portland, Oregon.  Although our mountains get tons of snow every year, it's a rarity in the Willamette River Valley.

But so far this year is anything but normal.....

Little birdie on top of the feeder

Our first storm came in early December.  Meteorologists tracked a huge band of moisture moving northward towards the city, and warned it was bringing large accumulations of snow and freezing rain.  Since our local governments don't have a huge amount of snow removal equipment and most people aren't equipped to drive in the white stuff, schools and workplaces were preemptively closed metro-wide.  We got the news early one Thursday morning, before any flakes had even begun to fall.

Striking a pose

It was weird sitting home on a snow day without any snow.  My hubby and I busied ourselves with household chores.  But I became distracted by the many hungry birds visiting our backyard feeders.  Grabbing my camera, I tried to capture their antics through our dining room window.

The snow came down fast and furious!

Just when I thought the weatherman had missed the ball, I noticed snowflakes twirling in the wind.  It didn't take long for the sky to turn white.  And pretty soon our backyard did too.

Big snowflakes

Oh, the falling snow was so pretty!  Some of the snowflakes were huge, drifting softly to earth.  I stood by our back window mesmerized. 

"Don't bother me, I'm eating!"

The cold and snow brought birds out in force!  Our feeders are close to our house, and I think not only did they offer food, they also provided a bit of shelter from the wind. 

This bird sat right down in the seed

One little bird even made himself comfortable in the seed box!

A bird feeder bandit!

Of course, birds weren't the only critters attracted to the bounty.  I caught this furry bandit atop one of the feeders.

Amazing acrobatics

Squirrels are amazing acrobats!  This big guy hung from his hind legs while nibbling on a chunk of suet.

Showing me his best side!

Although I'm not happy with the squirrels stealing all the seed, I have to admit they are awfully fun to watch.  What better entertainment on a cold, snowy day?