Tuesday, January 3, 2012

FIRST SNOW, FIRST COLD


We had our first stick-to-the-ground snowfall yesterday. Not that it amounted to much—a few tenths of an inch of ragged white frosting. Not enough to completely cover the grass and leaves, or count as a "tracking snow"…but enough that we heretofore snow-free southern Ohioans could look out our windows and see a landscape which finally looked wintry.

Actually, the snow began long after dark on New Year's Day, arriving in the form of tiny rounded pellets, or graupels, which some folks refer to as "hominy snow," because it looks like uncooked white grits. When I stepped out with Moon-the-Dog just before midnight, this granular hominy snow was peppering down like gangbusters. You could hear it pinging through the branches of the big hackberry near the door. In the yellow glow from the porch light, I watched as the gusting wind swirled it around the eaves and across the deck's planking.

Along with the snow came our first fairly cold temperatures—17˚F (-8˚C)  last night and a time or two today, with only a couple of degrees rise at the high-point. Not cold by northcountry standards, I know, but cold enough when you've been used to daytime highs in the upp-50s and above. 

Oddly, the bird feeders weren't as busy yesterday as they usually are when it's snowing. Typically, when snow begins falling, the birds crowd in like grocery shoppers at the supermarket right before a blizzard. It's often all I can do to keep the feeders stocked for the noisy hordes.

Feeder traffic was up somewhat today. Busy, but still not the mob scene I've come to expect. Why? Could be the immediate neighborhood has a surfeit of well-stocked feeders out. My best guess would be that given the unseasonably mild weather, many birds simply haven't needed to depend so heavily on feeder offerings to keep them fed; maybe a fair amount of natural foods have remained available in nearby fields and forests.

The morning's arrivals did include the first group of juncos I've seen this winter. And even before the sun came up, as Myladylove and I were having breakfast, cardinals by the dozens began appearing. My best count was 47 males and females visible at once in the dim light, and I didn't get to those birds in the cedars over by the fence. Conservatively, I'd say there were 75 cardinals within a 50-foot radius of the front door…a sight which never fails to amaze me, though our riverbank corner has always seemed like Redbird Central, even if I don't quite understand exactly why; I nevertheless appreciate the gift.
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22 comments:

Kelly said...

...with the snow and our first day of rock-hard soil, the starlings descended en masse. They stay away from the feeders when they can pick grubs from the ground, but when that food source is cut off, watch out! I saw only two cardinals, one wren, and one blue jay as the winter roost of starlings took over--thousands were flocking in our backyard. Hopefully things even back out soon...

Bernie said...

Wishing you a healthy and happy New Year, and its only fair you are getting some snow. We don't have a lot here, as a matter of fact it has been a mild winter so far.....:-)Hugs

AfromTO said...

snow finally that's a good start to change-hope you are taking care of your needs.

Grizz………… said...

Kelly…

I'll certainly take cardinals over starlings—and so far (knock on wood) haven't had one of those messy ruffians around, let alone the usual pack. I can't imagine thousands. I have several Carolina wrens, lots of red-bellied and downy woodpeckers, a few hairys, a pair of pileateds, and the usual list of sparrows, nuthatches, titmice, and various finches. For whatever reasons blue jays are not regulars. I know other folks have reported juncos weeks ago, but none showed up here until yesterday.

However, winter is really just getting started…so there's lots of time and fun ahead.

Grizz………… said...

Bernie…

Hey, good to hear from you. And Happy New Year in return. As to our bit of snow…I wasn't complaining. I'm glad to see it. I enjoy a snowy landscape. Winter ought to look and act like winter; weeks of 50˚F and higher temps seem weird. My daffodils are sure confused.

Grizz………… said...

AfromTO…

I'm doing my best. And maybe some snow is just what I need.

The Weaver of Grass said...

I love it when the snow comes overnight because you know it is there before you open the curtains in the morning - there is a different light and there is a stillness. Keep warm.

Gail said...

HI GRIZZ - oh that picture is so beautiful. Breath-takingly so.
We are suppose to get our first snow this Sunday - meanwhile it is bitterly cold - the kind of cold that demands we run the water over-night so the pipes don't freeze! Our wood stove is working hard.
Love Gail
peace......

Grizz………… said...

Weaver…

How true—you can always sense a new snow out there, even in the dimness of early morning. The light…the quiet. It gives the game away.

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

Our cold has lessened. It's 29˚F right now, supposed to be 42˚ tomorrow and 50˚ on Friday before heading back down. The snow is, of course, mostly gone. But we'll have more, I'm sure.

Stay warm, keep your pipes thawed!

sage said...

I'm still waiting to get out on my skis... We've had four snows, but there isn't much to show for it as all but one of them have been light and it's been warm for the north courtry. I may paddle again next week!

Grizz………… said...

Sage…

A strange winter so far, for sure. It's sunny here, back up in the 40s, and the snow is, of course, all gone. You could certainly paddle the river as the water is clear, running well, and not a hint of ice anywhere—in fact I just walked along the edge a bit and saw minnows in the shallows. The heron is feeding well and the kingfisher. Only a few shallow, well-protected local ponds iced up earlier in the week, a thin skim; I doubt that remains today.

Vagabonde said...

It is still quite warm here – in the mid 60s, but we should get some cooler weather by the end of the week – no snow though. We have cardinals year round – they are so pretty. I read an interesting article about an Asian hooded crane which ended up in Tennessee instead of Japan. I’ll call the refuge next week and if it is still there I think we’ll drive up to take a look at it. Here is the article: http://news.yahoo.com/rare-asian-bird-takes-wrong-turn-lands-tennessee-015906711.html.

AfromTO said...

Hey I know your birds are lovely but as a nonbirder can I get some lanscape photos.thanks-(you have a demanding audience)

Grizz………… said...

Vagabonde…

It's still unseasonably warm here, too, though that's about to change for at least the next few days, as snow showers are predicted for tomorrow. But all my spring bulbs are up—nothing bloomed, thank goodness!—and the grass is decidedly lush and green. It really looks more like the middle of March here or, if it wasn't for the bulbs, early-November. Certainly not mid-winter.

Cardinals are hear-a'rounders here…and there are lots of 'em along the river. A scarlet male sitting in a grapevine thicket can really brighten the scene.

That's neat about the off-course crane. I hope you get to see it, and can manage a photo. You really just never know what my show up at the feeders next.

Grizz………… said...

AfromTO…

Some more demanding than others, huh? ;-)

Actually, I've felt I was in too much of a bird rut myself, and have taken a couple of drive earlier this week specifically to shoot scenes…though none I've managed seem particularly appealing. It's supposed to rain here all day, turning to snow showers tomorrow. So new landscape pix may take a few more days—but I'll be working on your request/demand, never you fear. We camera-totin' riverbank geezers aim to please…

Hazel said...

Grizz, this photo is just so beautiful, and somehow tender.
The delicate colours, and breathtaking loveliness of the bird on that stark branch so captures the fragility of life for me.
Thank you for sharing your celebration of these lovely creatures so faithfully with us.
It consistently gives me joy.

AfromTo said...

Maybe a bit crotchety but hardly a geezer:)

Grizz………… said...

Hazel…

I've always thought the colors of the female cardinal more "classy" than her snazzy all-scarlet male counterpart. I'm happy to share my photos here—and pleased you like them. Thank you.

Grizz………… said...

AfromTO…

Incorrigible, curmudgeonly, borderline anachronistic, and at least a postulant geezer. What's not to love?

Grace said...

This is my first year putting out food for the winter birds--not a lot of action here yet, but enjoying what I do get.

Grizz………… said...

Grace…

Don't know if your weather has been unseasonably warm, but that can be part of what's going on…or you just may not have yet attracted your own dinning crowd. Either way, keep the food out and enjoy the visitors you attract. Winter birds are one of those pleasures that increase with time.