Almost there....

Snow Birds

Snow birds, and not the kind you think. Though we have those as well down in South Texas. This morning, however, I woke to a half-inch of snow on the ground (GASP!)and an announcement that school was canceled for the day. A perfect excuse for two things: birdwatching and a run. And the run could wait for the temperature to hit 30 degrees later in the day.

Dodging ladies in their SUVs, frozen with fear in the middle of the street, I slowly made my way down to Cypress Creek park. Because of the weather the county parks and recreation guys had not made it out to unlock the gates and so access to good birds was blocked. I did manage to make my way down to the boat ramp to turn around, however, and by the side of the road I noticed a fair bit of activity. Sure enough, as I stopped the truck, several birds came down to the edge of the tree line and jumped to the ground looking for food.

The first guy to come down was this Northern Cardinal.



He was soon joined by a Song Sparrow and a Yellow-rumped Warbler.



Just to the right, three more Song Sparrows came down. I love how each landed in the only possible areas without snow.



Moments later, as the Song Sparrows moved on, this Carolina Wren appeared.