I was taking a walk around my neighborhood last week, the only day when the temperatures were above 20 degrees, and saw these three Snow Geese on someone’s lawn. At first I thought they were the fake ones that blow in the breeze. But as I got closer, they were eating from the ground and preening. Hmmm… It looked like two parents and one juvenile. I didn’t have my camera (duh!) so I couldn’t take any photographs and I was too far away to use my iPhone. I didn’t go back because I thought they would be long gone.
Yesterday was the first day out of the teens for temperatures so I decided to walk back and see if those Snow Geese were still there… almost a week later. They were! What a surprise. I clicked away! And then went home to do some research.
I had never seen a Snow Goose before, so I was quite delighted when I read that they are very rare and irregular this time of year and not seen every year. What a treat! And it looks like two parents and one juvenile.
It was such a treat to look outside on this frigid, single-digit temperature day and see six Bluebirds at our birdbath! Wow!
We noticed a few days ago that our birdbath was not as de-iced as it had been last year. We thought it was just the freezing temps. And then yesterday, it was a solid chunk of ice. Oh no! How were the birds going to get a drink of water that is so crucial to their well-being? Everything was frozen everywhere. So, we picked up the frozen birdbath and carried it into the garage and put a little portable heater next to it. Within a couple of hours it was melted enough around the edges to get the chunk of ice out and then the heater.
We took the birdbath heater back to the store because it was still under warranty and we got a newer, better one. Within an hour, the birds were back drinking away. And then this huge family of Bluebirds came by for a drink a few times this afternoon. They also love the berries on our new Eastern White Cedar trees.
All is good in the Tulin backyard again. The birds are happy and so are we!
It was awesome to see the Northern Gannets flying high in the sky above Coast Guard Beach the other day. The Northern Gannet is a seabird and the largest of the Gannet Family.
“Adults are 32–43 inches long, weigh 4.9–7.9 lb and have a 65–71 inch wingspan. Adults are white with dark wingtips. Northern Gannets dive vertically into the sea at velocities of up to 62 mph.” Wow!
Very cool, don’t you think? Have you ever seen a Northern Gannet?
Love the seagulls on the beaches here on Cape Cod! This guy was enjoying the beautiful weather on Coast Guard Beach, part of the National Seashore, and the waves in the background.
This little Red-Bellied Woodpecker is a frequent visitor at our suet feeders. It’s been fun to watch him grow the past few months. The last time I posted a photograph of him in August, he didn’t have any red on his head. Now, he has started getting that distinct red spot on the back of his head.
He comes numerous times during the day. I’m glad that he visits so often, as he makes me smile each time I see him. We’ve named him “Little Big Red,” after his parents who we call “Big Red.”
Cute little guy, don’t you think?
Cape Cod daily articles on the wonderful Cape Cod places to hike, experience and photograph. A Cape Cod Outdoor Adventure Series.
