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Another Snow Storm, Maybe
This month so far St. Louis has been on the fringe of some of the heavy storms that have plagued many of our neighbors. These pictures were taken a little over a week ago (Jan. 27, to be exact) as I tried to document a fast and furious burst of large flakes that lasted about an hour, and left just enough coating on steps and bridges and overpasses to cause misery traveling. The first photo shows all three of our bird feeders and there isn't enough detail, but they were busy with voracious little feathered friends who didn't let the snow stop them from getting their daily rations.
The gold finches have rediscovered our finch feeder, probably energized by the fact that Norm bought some fresh seed. As the snow flakes fell, these finches in their winter drab just perched beneath the squirrel baffle. In the snow shower, it became a handy umbrella for them. Our Natural Events calendar says the males should start to molt later this month so more bright yellow patches will show up in future pictures.
Meanwhile, beneath the thistle feeder, the juncos were busy as well. They are just a tad too large to perch comfortably where the finches find it just right. Everyone gets plenty to eat, though. I decided to put these pictures up tonight because although we missed Saturday's storm that pummeled Oklahoma and Arkansas--nary a flake here in North County although west and south there was a dusting--we are supposed to get snow overnight and tomorrow, up to a couple of inches. It's just raining now, except it will sleet for a few minutes and then go back to rain. The snow is due tomorrow but we still might not get any. Weather patterns are fickle here, and the St. Louis Metro manages to heat and dry out the air which sometimes causes an approaching storm to part, like the waters of the Red Sea, pass around, and then regroup and rain or snow the heck out of little towns to the East in Illinois. We are supposed to have a clear day on Saturday and then the forecast is for snow again Sunday night and Monday. No doubt there will be precip next weekend as well. It's about this point in February when I realize I am getting tired of winter. The days are perceptibly longer now. Some of the daffodils are 2 or 3 inches above the ground. The buds on some shrubs are starting to swell, a little bit. Our community garden organization is having its first meeting next week. So yes, as the kids say, I am SO over winter. Even if the stupid groundhogs are saying we will have six more weeks of it!
This month so far St. Louis has been on the fringe of some of the heavy storms that have plagued many of our neighbors. These pictures were taken a little over a week ago (Jan. 27, to be exact) as I tried to document a fast and furious burst of large flakes that lasted about an hour, and left just enough coating on steps and bridges and overpasses to cause misery traveling. The first photo shows all three of our bird feeders and there isn't enough detail, but they were busy with voracious little feathered friends who didn't let the snow stop them from getting their daily rations.
The gold finches have rediscovered our finch feeder, probably energized by the fact that Norm bought some fresh seed. As the snow flakes fell, these finches in their winter drab just perched beneath the squirrel baffle. In the snow shower, it became a handy umbrella for them. Our Natural Events calendar says the males should start to molt later this month so more bright yellow patches will show up in future pictures.
Meanwhile, beneath the thistle feeder, the juncos were busy as well. They are just a tad too large to perch comfortably where the finches find it just right. Everyone gets plenty to eat, though. I decided to put these pictures up tonight because although we missed Saturday's storm that pummeled Oklahoma and Arkansas--nary a flake here in North County although west and south there was a dusting--we are supposed to get snow overnight and tomorrow, up to a couple of inches. It's just raining now, except it will sleet for a few minutes and then go back to rain. The snow is due tomorrow but we still might not get any. Weather patterns are fickle here, and the St. Louis Metro manages to heat and dry out the air which sometimes causes an approaching storm to part, like the waters of the Red Sea, pass around, and then regroup and rain or snow the heck out of little towns to the East in Illinois. We are supposed to have a clear day on Saturday and then the forecast is for snow again Sunday night and Monday. No doubt there will be precip next weekend as well. It's about this point in February when I realize I am getting tired of winter. The days are perceptibly longer now. Some of the daffodils are 2 or 3 inches above the ground. The buds on some shrubs are starting to swell, a little bit. Our community garden organization is having its first meeting next week. So yes, as the kids say, I am SO over winter. Even if the stupid groundhogs are saying we will have six more weeks of it!
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