Tag Archives: eastern towhee

Early Sunday Morning

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Sleet and frozen rain on Friday was followed by snow on Saturday and snow is an Event around these parts.

Now Sunday, the first rays of sun touched the meditation circle at 8:30 a.m. this morning. 28°F (-2°C).

Sun Returning To Garden

A half-hour later sunlight found the garden’s back corner and began waking up the landscape.

Early Sun On Icy Garden

Though it looks deserted it actually is filled with avian friends just waiting for me to close the upstairs window and let them get on with eating.

Morning Garden

Eastern Bluebird, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal and many other species are visiting the feeders this winter.

Yesterday they were desperately focused on food and were less worried about me taking their picture.

Winter Birds

Notice the Eastern towhee under the left edge of the feeder with its black head and back, rufous sides and white breast. It is normal to have one or two Eastern towhee in the garden, scratching and foraging along the ground, and occasionally checking out the feeder.

This weekend I was surprised to see a much larger group of them, maybe 8-10. At every chance they abandoned their traditional rummaging and went for the easy food.

And what is a collection of towhee called, I wondered? A “tangle” or a “teapot.”

Birds In The Snowy Garden

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Eastern Towhee, male Northern Cardinal, female Northern Cardinal (above the feeder)

When yesterday’s snow let up yesterday we were left with a lovely 6 inches of powder, but freezing rain and sleet overnight brought an icy coating. Several more inches of snow are forecast for today.

Today the birds—amazing creatures—are back out in force at the feeders. Yesterday I took a lot of (mostly) blurry photographs of them as I enjoyed watching the garden’s snowy transformation. While I viewed it all from a safe and warm vantage point indoors, the garden’s feathered friends meanwhile were seriously hard at work finding food through all the daylight hours.

Looking closely at this colorful scene below there are at least eleven birds gathered around. Sitting at the feeder I believe is male American Goldfinch. I had just remarked to a fellow blogger at the wonderful site Petals and Wings that I had not noticed the males getting their yellow coloring back, but here it is.

Can you spot eleven birds?

The spirea shrub is always a popular place for the birds to wait close to the feeder. Yesterday it was like a bird condo.

The blue hue of the gazing ball that sits in the center of the meditation circle disappeared under the snow. When walking along the meditation path last weekend I thought I really must cut back the Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ (Beardtongue), but now I am glad they are still here to add some interest.

Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ (Beardtongue)

People who are used to measuring snowfall in feet, not inches, will wonder why there is such a fuss about a little snow, but it is unusual to have this much snow in my area. More often is the scenario where there might be a dusting of snow, then the following day is sunny and 70°F.

Neighbors on our community email list were remembering the last such storm in 2002, when we lost power for more than 3 days. Indeed many in the state are without electricity this morning and the roads remain dangerous, with cars abandoned along the sides. Fortunately there is nothing pressing to do today but to enjoy the peaceful scenery.

A Fresh Look At The Garden

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We were on the outer edge of a large snowstorm that swept through many southern states yesterday. Arriving later than expected, the storm brought merely an inch of dry, powdery snow to my central North Carolina garden—just enough to delight the neighborhood children and this gardener as well.

Northern Border (facing west)

This morning I have enjoyed observing the garden in its winter white garb. In particular I have been watching patterns created by the stones and plants in the Meditation Circle, noticing as sunshine touches the snowy paths and fresh shapes emerge.

Snow Garden

Sun On Snowy Garden

The birds have been busy at the feeders and and on the ground scratching through the snow, but are reluctant to be photographed. They tuck themselves into favorite hiding places to easily outwait the camera. The Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood) is one spot where they are still somewhat visible.

Eastern Towhee in Dogwood

Northern Cardinal in Dogwood

The snow brought a freshness and renewed spirit to the garden.

Snowy Meditation Garden

Meditation Circle In Snow

Meditation Circle

pbmGarden

Sense of place, purpose, rejuvenation and joy

Tag Archives: eastern towhee

Early Sunday Morning

Birds In The Snowy Garden

A Fresh Look At The Garden