Wednesday, November 19, 2008

A Snowbird's Arrival

Now that my Dark-eyed Junco has arrived, I know that winter is here.

'Winter came down to our home one night
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow,
And we, we were children once again.'


~Bill Morgan, Jr.













22 comments:

Eve said...

Brrrr...winter is here! I love to hear the Junco's in winter. Sometimes they are more heard than seen!

Kim said...

He looks right at home in that snow. Beautiful pictures. I love how close up you can get.

Jayne said...

It's always interesting the different shades of black and gray they can be. Sweet, sweet birds. :c)

RuthieJ said...

I love juncos--I get huge flocks of them now every winter.

Leedra said...

Can see why you call this one your snowbird. He shows up so well against the snow. Brrrrr!

Wall-to-wall books said...

Awww how sweet! They were on my list, remember?

Denise said...

Oh shucks! I have yet to see a junco this year. Fab photo's as usual Shelley!

troutbirder said...

Yes Indeed snowbirds. There have been here as well for about two weeks. I always wonder how far south they travel to reach the semi-tropical climes of southern Minnesota!

Peggy said...

Perfect background for these guys! Excellent photos!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

shelly: Now that is one I never saw before. Those are neat photos.

Dave's Bird Watching Blog said...

We've just started getting our juncos here in NC. Cute little birds they are. They never come to our plate...only eat off the deck or ground it seems. I'm jealous of all your snow!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

I haven't seen a Junco around here. He's a gorgeous bird. AND--I love your snow!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

NCmountainwoman said...

Yep. That's a sure sign, and a lovely one at that.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Very nice pictures of the Juncos.Inspite of their plain colors they really are pretty.

Tina said...

Looks cooollllddd but those juncos look like they are not minded a bit by snow or cold. Love the monochromatic looks they possess, makes your pics look so striking!!
Nice post!

jalynn01 said...

Love your quote, and your little junco looks right at home in the snow. Pretty little bird!

Shelley said...

Eve - now that you mention it - they CAN be noisy! :-0

Kallen - Thank you - the juncos don't seem skittish when I'm out w/ the camera.

Jayne - I agree on all the different shades - my ones up north seem to have whiter bellies and darker feathers than the ones I have downstate.

Ruthie J - I've only had 2 of them - hope a flock decides to grace me w/ their presence!

Leedra - Every year without fail - they arrive in Michigan once winter is here to stay.

Birdgirl - thank you!

Wendy - yes! you & i have way too many things in common - ha,ha!

Denise - I'm placing bets you'll see one the next time you're at your cabin!

Troutbirder - LOL at the tropical weather of Minn.!!!

Hannibal - thanks!!

Fishing guy - glad I could introduce you to my little friends!

Dave - they are definitely ground eaters! At least they pick up the waste!

Betsy - thanks - I enjoy the snow too for all the great bird watching it brings!

NC - thank you!

Ruth - I think it's their face that makes up for their plain colors.

Tina - Glad you liked them!

jalynn - glad you liked my quote!

MicheleRF said...

I love watching them and listening to their peeps as they flit about from feeder to trees!

Nature Nut /JJ Loch said...

Beautiful junco photos, Shell. I haven't seen them yet but we are hanging our suet today and will start feeding sunflowers too. The bears should be sleeping. I can't wait for bird photos. Yours inspire me. :D

Good morning! The wind's howling here but we only have five inches of snow on the ground.

Hugs, JJ

MuseSwings said...

These are my very favorite winter bird feeder visitors! They look like someone picked them up and dipped them in white paint.

Connie said...

What a handsome fellow. Great picture, Shelley. :)

Sit A Spell said...

Funny you say this about the Junco...I am in MI and saw my first Junco about 3 weeks ago and told my daughter...oh my it's over now, the Junco is here! : )