Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Snow day

We woke up this morning to a blizzard.  All the schools were closed and the street in front of our house was empty of cars.  Yay!  A snow day.  We don't get these very often so they're lots of fun.  Everybody's out walking around and talking to each other.  And the dogs?  Well, they're in heaven.

Around mid-morning the snow stopped and we took them out for a walk and a play.  They love the snow, as you can see from these pictures.  That's my 13 year old Maggie frolicking like a pup.

















I enjoy it too, for its photographic possibilities.



But the poor little birds are really suffering.  We've refilled the birdseed feeder twice today and it's very well attended. 



Then there are the poor little hummingbirds (which are really not adapted to this weather at all).  We feed them a stronger syrup solution this time of year and we have to bring it into the house every few hours to warm it up.  I hope they make it through the night.

It's 25 degrees F out there now and will dip lower overnight.   Fortunately it's supposed to warm up tomorrow and we'll have rain on Friday.  Snow days never last too long here.


18 comments:

  1. Snow days are fun, aren't they? Glad you enjoyed yours to the uttermost!

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  2. What is your ratio of sugar to water for your hummingbird feeder?

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    1. Hi Alone again, I generally use four to one water to sugar, but when it's cold I up the ratio to three to one or even a bit more sugar if it's really cold. The thicker syrup freezes at a lower temperature. But once the weather returns to normal I go back to the four to one ratio. This was recommended to me by the people at Wild Birds Unlimited.
      Do you have hummingbirds at your place?

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    2. Hi Joanna,
      Yes, we do have hummingbirds over here. I try to keep the feeder as unfrozen as I can, but it sure isn't easy to keep on top of it. Thanks for the info....Cathy

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  3. My little white dog never liked the snow... I think she took one look and realized she might disappear forever. I haven't seen hummers this winter, though I have for the past two. I should put food out for them, just in case, and make sure it gets thawed a couple of times each day.

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  4. Some wonderful snow day photos, Joanna. The birds at the feeder photo has great action and light.

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  5. I love these snow shots of your dogs frolicking and having great fun! Those little birds certainly appreciate your birdfeeder being filled up twice a day. It's amazing those little hummingbirds survive in such cold.
    I love the shot of the four little birds, one in flight and one of them sitting all puffed up in the Christmas lights!

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  6. Snow days are such a nice sort of winter break; the weather is so bad that you just have to surrender to it. And then you get the bonus of a day off work and school. Lots of snow is not so bad if you don't have to drive anywhere in it. Your dogs certainly appear to be enjoying their snow day.

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  7. As a former school teacher, I also have a fondness for snow days. Snow creates such magic! Enjoy!

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  8. I wonder why dogs like the snow so much? May explain why I'm a cat person LOL
    Love the tree branches curling inside their 'snowsuits' and the wheelbarrow. Very nice.

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  9. dogs do know how to have fun
    wonderful snowy scenes
    last year we had record snows
    this year - almost none - plenty of ice however
    so nice to visit you
    oh - those sweet birds!

    xox - eb.

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  10. Look at all the snow...here in Colorado, not so much.

    I will enjoy yours vicariously
    x..x

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  11. I see some very happy doggies...
    It still amazes me that you have Hummingbirds in your winter ! they need to be south where it is warmer !
    I am sure that if I lived where you did I would be looking into some sort of shelters for the birds... just seems so cold for them.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. Hi Parsnip,
      Yes it seems counterintuitive for those birds to remain here. It's only in recent years that they have done so, partly because people put out feeders for them. Of course once you start feeding them you have to keep it up or they'll perish. It's quite a responsibility--and a worry for us as we're planning a trip down south at the end of the month.
      I recently read a letter to the editor that said we shouldn't feed them as it encourages them to stay in a climate that isn't suitable for them. But what can we do? They nest in our plum tree.

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  12. We'll have a snow day tomorrow. We got about an inch or so today and then 6 more coming tomorrow. The photos look so pretty. I envy your skill behind the camera.

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    1. Have a fun snow day Rudee. I hope you're able to curl up with some knitting and relax.

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  13. Lovely photos. We've had a few snow days here in Bellingham.

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  14. Hi Cheryl,
    Thanks for visiting here. I just hopped over to your blog and am interested in the 52 photos project. Is there a new round starting soon or would it be best to just jump in?

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I really appreciate your comments.