We’ve had an epic snow here in the Midwest, the kind of snow that makes the raccoons stay in torpor, so the squirrels and birds have been eating food that doesn’t smell of raccoon paws. It’s very popular.
We’ve discovered two interesting things about birds.
First, even though we keep a heater in the ground-level bird-bath in winter, our birds won’t use it to bathe when it’s below freezing. Instead, they bathe in the snow and sometimes leave lovely little wing patterns.
Second, they are as cute af when they drink from said heated bird-bath. They:
- Consider drinking
- Poke their beaks in the water
- Come up with a beakful, tip their heads back and gulp, and this kills me:
- Smack their lips. Well, beaks. Clack clack clack.
- Start over again.
ROBINS!
Never see them on any sort of regular basis here in TX but in Feb when the red berries on our umbrella tree ripen they’re everywhere and nuts! (We have great video of them dive bombiing it in droves until all the berries are gone) Then the freeze hit and I’m hoping it didn’t do permanent damage to our tree as I do love watching a bunch of berry drunk birds! They’re so happy! (Hopefully without hangovers!) But I just saw them again this weekend so I guess all is good in their little Robin wood. Maybe I need to look into a heater under the bird bath so they can have a hot tub for their drunken berry party, lol!
Posted by: Lisa | February 21, 2021 at 08:14 PM
@Lisa,
That gives new meaning to the word "dive bar" (although I am sure your umbrella tree is a Very Classy Establishment).
Posted by: KC | February 21, 2021 at 08:57 PM
Lisa - yes! Drunk birds are the best. And my thoughts are with you in Texas, I hope last week was safe for you and without destruction.
KC - did you have to look up umbrella tree? I did.
Posted by: TheQueen | February 22, 2021 at 05:24 PM
Thanks so much! We were incredibly lucky and didn’t lose power or water. We had one of my husband’s co-workers bring his family to stay with us for the week as they lost both. And now a mere week later we have temps in the 70’s, lol. With everything going on I’m starting to think 2021 told 2020 “They thought you were bad? Here, hold my beer and watch this.”
Hope y’all are safe and warm!
Posted by: Lisa | February 22, 2021 at 08:24 PM
Lisa - it was almost 60 today. I went out and looked at my one tiny daffodil bud.
Posted by: TheQueen | February 24, 2021 at 08:36 PM