Well, it has been a difficult week here, with another six inches of snow delivered in two consecutive three inch blasts, followed by frigid below zero (-3 F / -19.4 C), record breaking cold temperatures. And then, this being Missouri, today we had a blazing melt, as the thermometer climbed to 55 F / 12.7 C with abundant sunshine. I was complaining bitterly all week, clearing snow, but no complaints today. It is a glorious break from winter misery.
When the snow is coming down, there is time to take pictures of the birds… Here are many.
I do love the flicker, an impressive and shy (of humans) bird. But I was sad to see it being aggressive to a little finch!
Meanwhile, the indoor animals were warm and content.
I spent a great deal of time and energy clearing snow and doing barn chores, having little time for taking pictures most of the week.
Harry occasionally tickles the ivories, and I happened to have a camera handy… It is one of Harry’s many talents, and a blessing in the house.
Speaking of blessings…
The barn cats survived the week, spending most of their time in the heated tack room. I am sad that Licorice is gone, but it is a solace to have all five “outdoor cats” safe and warm inside. Licorice was a “lean cat (not a mean cat), a wild cat, and lone”, to paraphrase, and there was no way she would sleep in the tack room. The other two “shed cats” are not as committed to being wild, and have adapted readily to being “barn cats”, especially this week!
We were looking forward to seeing nephew Luke, from Kansas City, but the snow derailed that plan this week. Today, nephew Scott stopped by for a short visit, and the weather was warm enough to sit out on the porch! The road in from the highway is still best traveled with four wheel drive, but the melt will continue through the night and life will return to normal. Scott came bearing strawberries, perfect for the springlike afternoon.
The horses are very happy that the snow is gone. No more ice balls in their feet! The ice in feet was terribly difficult to remove on the extremely cold days. I was glad that hind shoes were pulled, so there were only six feet altogether to struggle with. It was a treat to bring horses in this afternoon without slipping and sliding, and no ice balls to grapple out.
Onward to better days… be safe, be well, be kind, be strong. This, too, shall pass. Slava Ukraini! Peace.
Anne, again I marvel at your artistic “eye” in your photos. They really are a pleasure to view. The one of the cardinals and blue jays is stunning.
It is nice to hear that the weather is releasing its wintery grip back home. We are still in South Carolina where they have experienced one of their coldest winters in years. Nancy and I are looking forward to coming home, although it is always tough to leave our daughter and her family.
Hope to see you and Harry soon after our return !
Slava Ukraini!
Joe
Your pictures always cheer me up and these bird photos are just wonderful. Eddy always makes me chuckle and I love to see the horses and cats…as well as smiling humans!
So many wonderful Byrd photos. I’m dictating and I just spent four days with a friend named Vickie Byrd. Sorry about the spelling of the animal! Ha ha all the photos were magnificent in the beginning to be able to identify some of them but like someone else said my favorite was the cardinal and the Blue Jays. Plus I love seeing two cats all snuggled up together and you caught that pose perfectly.
The photo of All those finches on the railing was great. I’m looking forward to seeing you two this week-end