Well, it’s March and we turned over the calendar page. I still don’t know if the weather authorities proclaimed that March arrived like a lion or a lamb – unbelievably, not a single person mentioned this proverb in conjunction with March 1st.
I can tell you that in my corner of the world, today there was no wintry precip, the roads were clear and dry, as was the Park perimeter path, so it doesn’t get any better than that for Winter in Southeast Michigan. Sure it was cold – low 20s and a wind chill too, but the sun was out – pure bliss!
I was happy to get to Council Point Park this morning. I had really worried about my little furry friends, even though I was there last Friday and Saturday and gave them lots of peanuts, but I’d not been back in nearly a week. I worried my little pals would be hungry since the number of walkers toting peanuts has dwindled during the Winter months and the ground remains frozen solid.
I took the camera, but didn’t pull it out of my zippered vest. It was really cold and I just wanted to make sure I made the rounds and got as many squirrels fed as possible before I needed to head home and start work.
I am delinquent in posting. It’s unusual for me to let an entire week pass by without a peep, er … a post, but I figured any post would be a weather whine about the daily trudge outside, as opposed to a delightful walk at the Park, like I had this morning, so I remained silent. First, it was the Bomb Cyclone Sunday, then some strong winds hung around for Monday. It was slick with flurries on Tuesday, then we awoke to two inches of snow on Wednesday. Yesterday it was slick from the snow on sidewalks and streets. Really?!?! The weather has been a drag to be honest and snow is on the way tonight and Sunday, then we’re in the deep freeze with wind chills below zero next week. Along with everyone else, I am Winter weary.
As Winter wanes, there will be countless memes on social media about recipes for “Groundhog Helper” or similar groundhog dishes. Today the weatherman explained what happened to our promised El Nino … I’m happy for that, because I’ve been wondering about it myself since late September when we had a hard freeze.
In a nutshell, the El Nino didn’t have enough oomph to sustain a mild Winter, so we had the usual wintry conditions. Well, could we have El Nino next year, since we missed out this time?
Speaking of nutshells …
I have stayed away from the grocery store – in fact I’ve not been to Meijer since January 10th I stock up on pantry items all Fall so I don’t have to be traipsing around in the ice and snow in the dead of Winter. Actually, I have intended to get some refrigerated food several times, but, with the endless freezing rain events and gusty winds, the weatherman warned of power outages, so I was reluctant to stock up on too much perishable food. I lost a fridge full of food last June when an overloaded electrical grid left us with no power for nearly a day.
So, food-wise it was all good for me, but, um … I was horrified to realize last weekend that I was about to run out of peanuts. The weather was already crummy, with more bad weather on the horizon, so I started rationing peanuts, doling out much-smaller portions for the porch pals. I visibly cringed as I placed that meager offering at the front stoop, imagining what was going through their heads when it was so cold and snowy. I made my “dropping” then hustled outside to run the car after suiting and booting up. Sadly, the peanuts were already gone, shells littering the porch, but my furry friends remained nearby, as if to say “so when will part two be arriving please?” I was chagrined to have dropped the ball on my little friends who give me such joy in the dead of Winter, a rather joyless and gloomy time of year. Even the two jays gave their disapproval by staring me down from the neighbor’s tree and uttering screech after screech in an effort to intimidate me. (Have you seen their beaks? I was a little intimidated by them.) Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal perched on the barberry bush and tried to send a telepathic message about their peanuts. Obviously the squirrels had scurried off before the cardinals had their share. I made my apologies and then the pair of cardinals was pretty vocal with their tweets. Okay, I succumbed and went back into the house, peeling off my boots and grabbing a few more precious peanuts ‘til I could get to the grocery store. I hated being “peanut shamed” on my own front porch!
So, I intended to go this morning to replenish their treats. I could not bear to look those sad faces – what a sucker for sad eyes I am. I looked outside – a gorgeous sunrise, clear streets … sigh. How I wanted a walk. So, could I get to Meijer, grab a half-dozen bags of peanuts, head to the Park, dump out some peanuts there and make it back before work? And squeak in a little walk too? Then I remembered squirreling away a package of peanuts that couldn’t fit in the Rubbermaid container – whew! My walk was salvaged and I took half the bag with me and will hold the rest in reserve for the porch pals – it will be good weather in a few days and I’ll stock up then.
The collection of critters with their reproachful looks reminded me a little of a younger version of myself. I’d come home from grade school and Mom would give me some cookies and milk to tide me over until dinner. On the days she baked cookies, if some of them broke while moving them from the cookie sheet to the counter top, I’d get “bonus cookies” on my plate that day. She didn’t bake cookies every day, but I didn’t necessarily understand that fact, as I can remember looking at the plate, then over at Mom, puzzled where the “bonus cookies” were and wondering if I should be so bold and brazen to ask.
Speaking of bonuses …
Well, there was a bonus at the Park this morning. No, not the squirrels who climbed down from their trees and came racing over – they made me smile, especially Parker, as it had been a while since I visited with him. The perimeter path had been plowed – that was a first! In the nearly six years I’ve walked there, the paths have never been plowed, though I understand they used to do it back in the day. The parking lot was a little treacherous from all the ice, but the paths were clear as a bell. That was a real bonus for me.
Another bonus was chatting with a fellow walker who arrived as I was ready to go. He always feeds the squirrels and told me there is a new walker who is feeding them as well. The new guy is enamored with the squirrels and brings big bags of peanuts for them. So no more angst about my furry pals at the Park.
I added three miles to my total today – I am now at a whopping 103 miles (165 kilometers)!
[Lion and lamb photos are from Pixabay]
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
Oh Linda,
What a beautiful post. I was imagining in my mind your puzzled look at your mother about where the bonus cookies were and should you ask? I would have raised a ruckus about it in my house. Since cookies are not out sort of food, my mother very rarely or never baked them and I have been and still am partial to cookies, though I indulge not at all these days.
I am so glad you had a little stock of peanuts buried under the hard freeze and could give it to the porch pals.
And hurray for the newest squirrel lover walker on the perimeter path- God bless him. March has come like a lamb. And you are the first I have heard who was waiting to welcome El Nino. In our part of the world, we have been scared of less rains, drier weather and so on for at least 20 years now.
Susie
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Susie – I am glad you got this post – I went over to Comcast and it was not working – again. I had e-mailed earlier, before I started the post. My friend is travelling tomorrow morning and I wanted to catch her before she left. She is getting excited about ending school – she graduates in August, but allowed to walk with the big graduation in May as they don’t have graduation in August. She went to grad school for a degree in gerontology administration.
The look on their faces was so transparent – disappointment – and it broke my heart. I knew I had to go to the store this morning but it was so beautiful outside – I wanted a walk so badly I could taste it – I was ecstatic to find that package of peanuts – I will go early next week after our two little snow events are over. You know from feeding the feral cats – it only takes a few times of feeding outside critters until they depend on that food, especially now when it is bitter cold and the ground is frozen. I’ve worried about them all week, especially in that big windstorm last week as well. We are having a lot of cold weather and it will likely be colder the entire month of March. I won’t mind if it is cold – just please let it be dry. I am happy they have a new benefactor who enjoys feeding and interacting with them. The walker told me he is retired, like he is, so a guaranteed show every day – makes me worry a little less about them.
My mom loved to bake and I enjoyed cookies much more than pies or cakes as they had/have more texture – they are satisfying.
I would say March came in like a lamb too – especially after all the bad weather we have had since mid-January … a little of everything and hopefully over. So El Nino is not good for you then – interesting. We welcome El Nino as it means a much milder Winter. We had one in 2012 and that was the first Winter I walked … I was able to get out and walk almost every day all Winter. Maybe next year. When I went in and got more peanuts, they all came closer – I really hated denying them – I guess they are my “outside pets” for a long time at this rate Susie.
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They are your family, Linda, albeit, four footed, furry ones.
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Yes, they are Susie. They are better than human family who are often quick to judge, are not always kind and caring and the furry family will never disappoint you. I am so glad there is someone else filling in the gaps for when I’m not there. I went there this morning – we were supposed to have snow last night – it didn’t come, then supposed to happen mid-morning … still waiting on the snow. I could have gone and taken the car on a little run and taken some pictures, done a few errands … how could four weather stations be wrong? I missed those little guys – they are so cute and I have to get a picture of them running behind me – it’s hard to do with the camera for yourself.
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You will have to get the new walker on the perimeter path to take a picture for you.
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You’re right Susie – I’ve never asked anyone to do that and I should. I never think to ask Ann Marie when we walk together – she has moved to a different City, but we do get together occasionally to walk. She is retired but involved in alot of charitable activities, one of them spending all day Monday volunteering at a soup kitchen.
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Our weatherman said March came in like a tame lion, with mostly rain but some snow and sleet mixed in for a little attention getting. That’s awesome about the cleared path. I smiled at the cookie dilemma wondering where your bonus cookie were. I can tell you there were never bonus cookies in my house. Your furry family gives you the looks like mine does, and I know it’s a real thing. Sometimes I think there is a gang of rouge chickens plotting against me. So glad there is another guy helping to keep the squirrels hooked up. Xo Kim
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I like that weatherman’s description … especially the part of “attention getting” … unbelievably, we had snow forecast for last night and this morning. I put off errands, slept in a little longer, and when I got up, it was clear as a bell. I left later than usual and it still hasn’t snowed. They are all crazy – this was four different weather sources. The bonus cookies – well, I guess I thought my mom baked cookies every day – I should have encouraged it. She was not a big sweet eater – the cookies were for me and she made pies and tarts and cakes but I liked cookies much better. Cookies are way more satisfying to me – even now. I really “get” that look they give you – one or two times and you are their caretaker and they’ll be showing up all Summer as well I am sure. It was a quick toss of a few peanuts when I came home from walking one day last Fall – the next day Grady was waiting on the porch when I came home. I’m glad this retiree will be walking there every day – he arrives later than I do. I am grateful for that as our frozen ground will not yield to their sharp toenails, no matter how hard they dig and I don’t take any chances walking on the icy sidewalks to get down there. I wrote the City a message and thanked them for plowing the path after I got home.
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I’m intentionally ignoring all weather forecasts regarding March weather. I’ve had it with winter and even if we get more snow here, it’ll melt fast so I refuse to acknowledge its existence. Denial is my March friend. Also, great of you to worry about your squirrel friends. Someone needs to help them out.
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Ha ha – I feel the same way Ally, especially after this morning’s debacle. I hung onto the predicted forecasts of no less than four different weather sources (not all the same station either) and they all said snow last night and through the morning. I figured no walk, and I’d sleep in, then ease into my day … I got up, looked out, clear as a bell. It still hasn’t snowed! I did walk but could have made a bigger effort and on weekends I like to take longer jaunts if weather permits. I’ve spent most of today trying to organize my computer – a lot of blogging and picture taking in the Fall, and earlier in the year and I was unorganized. I like the idea of denial in March … this Winter has gone on long enough, however, here in SE Michigan, Spring is not waiting in the wings unfortunately. I am happy about this new retiree who has discovered the joys of walking in this little nature nook and feeding the squirrels who will welcome you like family after the first tendering of peanuts. 🙂 I just hopped onto your blog and have followed you – we have a lot of fellow bloggers in common, all who make me smile as well.
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Thanks for following my blog. I’ll follow you in my Feedly account so that I can keep track of you, too. [I don’t do WP Reader.] I spent my spare computer time yesterday doing the same thing as you, trying to organize my blog pages and files into something more useful, less scattered. Happy to have met you. Ever onward in real life and online, eh?
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Thank you – I didn’t even make it to Reader Sunday and here I am a half hour into Monday and catching up on comments. I decided to get to a few parks and the driving, walking, picture-taking took me way longer than planned – then of course to sit down and write a blog post, which, could have waited, but no, I like to jam myself up to start my week off scattered and scrambling. I was so organized with archiving my posts that I do in Word and my photos, all the posts organized quarterly into one long Word document – what happened? I got busy blogging/interacting and much disorganization ensued. Happy to have met you, someone else similar to my interests and who enjoys the same bloggers I do – we all need to laugh more don’t we?
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I’m so glad to read you got a walk in and that you recovered from peanut shaming. That line made me smile extra wide! Soon, dear, Spring will be here and you’ll catch up on lost miles and restock the peanut supply. You’ve earned it, all your patience in waiting for nice weather will pay off!
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Glad you liked “peanut shaming” Shelley – the look on their faces … “You mean that’s it? C’mon Linda, you can do better than that!” With sunrise coming sooner, I am anxious to get out and be walking more – I need to make up for lost times and you’re right, once the better weather and longer days are here, I’ll be back up to five miles a day again – I have a hefty goal to make this year.
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LOL! Yes, I’m positive you’ll make up lost time and be back on the walking track soon enough!
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We’ve had very odd weather here, at the end of February. A mini heatwave! Now we’re in March the weather has gone back to dull and wet but for nearly a week it was sunny and warm. Lovely weather but I hope it’s not a sign of climate change. My hens enjoyed the sun and warmth anyway. Hopefully you’ll get better weather from now on, now spring is here.
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I did hear about the heat wave over there – sorry it had to end so quickly and back to dull and wet weather. All across the U.S. we have strange weather and they say this odd weather and very volatile weather is all the result of climate change. In Arizona last week, they had about forty inches of snow in one 24-hour period. Las Vegas, Nevada had two inches of snow – this is a place where the temps are very hot, even in Winter. I’ll hope Spring’s arrival is not just on the calendar Clare. 🙂
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Glad to hear Parker and Company survived the week without you…..and that you have a new recruit to take care of them. I have noticed my grocery store has removed all the big $20 bags of peanuts from the display right inside the front door – pretty optimistic of them to think that winter is over! The birdseed is gone too.
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Yes, I was too Joan – I was worried and each day that passed, and with how cold it was (and will continue to be, especially over the next three days, well below zero) and cold the entire month of March, I could not get down there fast enough. I was happy to see they were fine and that they had a new benefactor as well. I wish I had known about the new guy – I’d have not been so worried. I think your store is jumping the gun – last year you remember how Winter lingered well into April? That’s expensive for peanuts! I buy the cellophane 20-ounce bags of them and I think they are around $2.75 but because I buy them so often I usually get coupon sent in the mail from Meijer good for $1.00 of $0.75 off one bag. I will need to take the squirrels off as deductions soon. They used to sell loose peanuts and other nuts but no longer – these come from Hampton Farms, but all the other nuts are packaged as Meijer brand.
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Yes maybe you could use the squirrels as dependents for an income-tax deduction! As they really are dependent on you!
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I think so too – they are needier than kids!
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It was a big bag…..about the size of a large bag of bird seed! It would probably last a few months.
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Wow – I didn’t know that they were available in such a large bag. These are 20 ounce bags – I don’t know why the grocery store quit selling any of their nuts in the shell loose. I would have bought some walnuts for the squirrels – all they have is the shelled walnuts.
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I was so glad to see you post this morning Linda as I missed seeing them this week was wondering if everything was ok (I said a little prayer for you). Yesterday was indeed a great day to be outside. My sisters came over to go for a walk then we had lunch together. We just walked a couple of miles around the neighborhood because the streets were pretty much clear of snow and ice. It wasn’t the most scenic walk be we got out and got some exercise and fresh air anyway. Seeing that March came in like a lamb I guess we will have to hold on to our hats as it goes out (like a lion).
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Thank you very much for your kind thoughts and concern Ruth. I walked last Saturday and decided I had some pictures but the post would be similar to Friday’s so I didn’t post. Our weather, probably similar to yours, wasn’t good for walking and there were no events I could write about – it felt strange and I don’t think I’ve ever gone a whole week without writing a post before. I believed those silly weatherman and decided there would be no walk and slept in later. I got up and the sun was shining – we never got a single snowflake. I went out later than usual, but still got a walk in. Yesterday was very nice as it was sunny and it felt like an escape after all the weather events of the week. You’re right – I thought it was like a lamb as well, and I’ve had a few hats go airborne at the Park over the years. I pull them down over my ears, but a powerful wind one time lifted my hat and it hooked itself on a tree branch over the Creek.
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What treacherous weather! OH my goodness- I could hardly wrap my mind around all that. I’m sure Parker was soo excited to see his Ms. Linda! I’m glad you were able to make it back out to them.
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Mackenzie – I am so ready to be done with Winter … we never got the predicted snow this morning or afternoon either. I finally went out and figured I’d get a walk in and hopefully it didn’t turn into a squall like the time a sudden snow was swirling around like crazy and I came home encrusted in snow. I swear the squirrels’ eyes lit up – I was happy to count furry noses. 🙂
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It doesn’t surprise me one bit that you are more concerned with the critter food than food for yourself! lol
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Ha ha – you are right Diane. I didn’t put this little tidbit in the post, but I still had one package of tortillas – they were a couple of weeks past expiration, but still looked okay. I bought them for when I ran out of bread but I don’t really like them. So I didn’t want to disappoint the squirrels at the Park and I was thinking if I didn’t get peanuts, I’d fill the tortillas with peanut butter and make little roll-ups for them … I wanted that walk badly, but wanted to feed them too! And I didn’t want to put food outside the house and welcome mice etc. Then I found the bag of peanuts – woo hoo! I spend as little time as possible on my meals – that’s why they are so lame!
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You crack me up! But I admire your love of animals. It is so nice to see your kindness toward them.
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Thank you Diane for saying that. I do get enjoyment from interacting with them.
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Peanut envy is a force to be reckoned with, believe you me.
Keep waving that banner, dear walker. Critters await…
Groundhog helper? LoL How mean! 😉
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Especially in these bitter cold Midwest Winters we’re having – poor little guys. I will keep doing that Uncle Tree – they give me smiles for my reward. I’ve not seen any recipes or ads for Groundhog Helper for that little rascal even though I’m sure everyone has an issue with him this year.
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So glad to read that you got to walk this morning! You have all kinds of critters depending on you! I had to laugh at your “peanut shaming” incident with the cardinals. Cardinals always look sort of disgusted to me. Maybe it’s the black mask.
I thought of you when I read this article about squirrels. Apparently, they are more valuable than people think!
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/article/six-snippets-squirrel-science/
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I was so glad to walk and to find out there was no ice on the path was a real delight. I wrote a message to the City on their Facebook site when I got back and said how nice it was to see they had plowed. I understand they had a special machine and brush years ago but had stopped using it (probably in conjunction with our City’s financial woes a few years back). We had a survey to all residents last year about what we’d like out of our parks. Most of the parks are just playground equipment – Council Point Park is the only park that is a natural setting, plunked right in the middle of the City and running along a Creek which borders one side of the loop (one entire mile). I know some people must have wanted dog parks and water features as that was a question – I asked if we could have it plowed in the Winter. Maybe that was why?
Yes, the Cardinals have perfected the disdainful stare and it could be that black mask too …. they are less rowdy than the Jays though. Years ago I used to feed a female cardinal a little Dixie cup of safflower seeds every night when I came home from work. She would fly out of the bush to meet me as I walked down the sidewalk and I’d go in the house and scoop it out for her and spread it on the back patio cement … just for her and she had a nest nearby. They were all “peanut shaming” me – they don’t miss a beat and I’ve found another ledge to put peanuts on and the birds swoop over at the speed of the sound and get the peanuts before the squirrels can climb up there.
The article you sent me was just fascinating Laurie – thank you for it and I learned many things. You know I always said they were smart but I didn’t realize they were that smart. But with Grady – one time scattering a few peanuts and the next day he was there on the porch when I came home from walking and every day thereafter as far as I can tell. We don’t get many gray squirrels and he is very cute. Also, I have said that he hops almost like a rabbit – it is like he has springs on his feet and they mentioned the gray squirrels have powerful hind leg muscles enabling them to propel faster and longer distances. I know I am amazed when I see him take off – he does not just scurry away. That is another one of his cute qualities.
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Your connection with the birds and furry critters just amazes me. I thought of you the other day when Bill and I went to a nearby nature preserve to see the snow geese and trumpeter swans. Thousands of them congregate at a lake near here before their journey north. We were walking out the path to see the geese and saw a hawk perched in a nearby tree – a red-tailed hawk. I don’t think he would bother a snow goose or trumpeter swan, but I’m not sure. Anyway, I heard some scurrying at my feet and saw a chipmunk not 2 feet away from my feet. He was looking up at me as if to say “Protect me!” I wondered how you felt about chipmunks. He was a cute little guy!
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Thanks Laurie – I love interacting with them, and my porch pals give me a smile as well, watching their antics and the interplay of the birds and the squirrels. When I left today, all the peanuts were there – no one showed up yet. When I came home about three and 1/2 hours later, no peanut shells on the porch. The squirrels can’t hide those peanuts – ground is frozen. The birds are stealing the peanuts from the squirrels. I’d like to capture their faces in a photo! I felt so badly when I saw that Coopers Hawk those two times – I worry about my little squirrels so I try to hide the peanuts under the stoop and near the bushes so they can dive into the bushes if a hawk comes along … even on the ledge, they can jump off. I can understand that chipmunk’s fear … he grab the poor guy in a heartbeat. Unbelievably, I have never seen a chipmunk. I guess they may have them up north, but not around here – I always think they are cute when I see them in pictures though.
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I continue to feed the squirrels in the courtyard where my mother-in-law lives at her assisted living place. The courtyard is completely surrounded by buildings but there are trees within which contain squirrel nests. I bet they can easily leave the courtyard by running across the roofs of the two-story buildings. I feed them bird food that has sunflower seeds included in the mix. Little birds enjoy it too! 🙂
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I am so late here – I visited four parks and did a long post with lots of photos today … I laugh at the squirrels I feed out the front and the park … the birds swoop down in front of them and steal their peanuts … they have a look on their face like “what happened her?” I have to get some sunflower seeds for both the birds and the squirrels. The birds did not like the safflower seeds I got for them, yet a female cardinal years ago just loved those seeds. A fellow blogger sent me this interesting article about squirrels … you told me about the smart crows … look at the smart squirrels here:
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/article/six-snippets-squirrel-science/?fbclid=IwAR0M82ngnfSh3aT2KpbDvG_ofVLPfOpQe3h6sVKrcSJ3pk50yHCTEsEDnCw
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Yay for blue sky days!!!!!
I’m glad winter is ending soon by you. Here it’s meant to snow soon. I’m missing the blue sky and awesome weather we had last week (the blue and green always give me a sense of calmness and nowadays I really need that).
When you restock your peanuts make sure to buy a tub of glitter to put on your shelf 🙂
Love, light and glitter
E
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Wish it was bluer today – look at the time. You are already eating breakfast! I did a long post with lots of pictures as I went to four parks today – it was like I thought it might snow and ice the rest of March, so get it all done in one fell swoop! I know that gave you a smile. I did intend to get more peanuts today, but decided to go walk and the car needed a run – it had just short spurts lately. I figured I’d go tomorrow but we are getting more snow over night … ugh. our early Spring for one week sounded wonderful. I’ll get some glitter to put on the shelf with the new peanuts … more peanuts needed now that four peanut-eating birds are dining on my porch. 🙂 Love, light and glitter and (((hugs))) to you. Enjoy your day Eliza!
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I’m looking forward to reading it (unless it’s the post I already read)
Yeah that did make me smile! Are peanuts the favourite nut?
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No, it is the one about all the ice (Goin’ with the floe …) … peanuts are the favorite nut with them, but I bought some almonds last year and thought they were to hard to crunch down on … don’t want to have to have a crown on my tooth, so I gave them to the squirrels – they were lovin’ that for sure! Going out to deal with the snow … some more tomorrow … I wish your heat wave last week had migrated over here! Enjoy your afternoon Eliza.
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I think your in over your head Linda. Your beginning to act like the squirrels. You “squirrel” away bags of peanuts plus you looked at your mother when the cookies weren’t there in the same manner as the Cardinals looked at you.
good luck!
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How lovely you got to go out and see your furry friends 🙂. Nice to hear there is also another walker out feeding them too which is so kind. Glad you also got to walk some more miles today.
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Thanks Zena – it made me feel better because we have had some brutal weather and I pictured them down there where it was snowy and icy and not finding any of their food – the ground has been frozen solid for months. I did add some more miles this weekend and I was doing well at the beginning of the year when we had the good weather, but I was sorely lagging keeping up that pace due to this ugly weather.
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Your weather just sounds miserable! We’ve had a little snow last week and it’s been snowing and sleeting all day today. I don’t recall ever getting snow this late here. I’m happy to hear all your furry friends are doing fine. I went out earlier and spread some nuts and seeds around for the squirrels and ground-feeding birds.
Hopefully spring arrives sooner rather then later for you! 🙋
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Thanks Sabine – it’s been an unusual Winter here – we only had 7 inches of snow in February (you likely had more than us) but we have had the multiple incidents of freezing rain and that ferocious wind. We are still in the deep freeze now. The squirrels and ground-feeding birds are ecstatic for what you did – I’ll bet it is all gone by now. Our ground is still frozen, so no foraging by the squirrels yet. They are really depending on humans to come thru since they can’t access all the nuts they buried beginning in August.
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I think we had the least amount of snow this winter in many years here. It’s also been drier with much of the rain devastating large areas in California. But for some reason large numbers of birds, but fewer squirrels have been visiting all winter long.
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California has just been hammered with rain. Lucky you didn’t get more snow there, especially since you said your state/city are not equipped to handle heavy snowfalls. Our deep freeze from the last three days is about to subside but we have torrential rain over the weekend and high winds for Sunday. Not as bad as that Bomb Cyclone, but enough for warnings to be issued already. I’ve not gotten down to the Park enough times this Winter. I am grateful to hear of the new visitor to the Park who is feeding the squirrels daily. I am surprised to many birds stayed here and did not migrate – I’ve been seeing robins despite the sub-zero temps. The birds like you and I, and many others, will be so grateful for the real Spring to appear.
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Yes, the rain in California has been bad! I just spoke to a friend there yesterday and fortunately everyone was spared any flooding. Spring can’t spring soon enough as far as I’m concerned! 😉
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I so agree with you Sabine and we were lucky enough to have a snow-free December and first two weeks of January. Just cold weather, but no precip … that WAS my kind of Winter.
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Believe it or not Linda, but there are snowflakes falling again right this minute! But nothing should stick since it’s warming up! ☃️
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That’s amazing but this weather has been so wacky – a fellow blogger in Tennessee is concerned as they predict straight line winds and possible tornadoes this weekend. After last week’s devastation in Alabama, I’d be worried as well. Thankfully, your snow is just for effect only – that’s the best kind in my opinion.
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