January arrived and was soon followed by the snow. We got 18 inches one night, and the next morning my snow blower chose to have a problem. It was a lot like a human-powered snowplow that morning. Woof! But I think I have it fixed now and will know one way or the other tonight when I need to use it again.
Another white arrival was an albinistic redpoll at a feeder in Norwich, Vermont. (That's across the river from us.) We went over there this morning and I got some pictures through my scope. Click on the "Albino Redpoll" link to see a sampling of the pictures. We had hoped that it would turn out to be a Hoary Redpoll, but we think it's an albinistic Common Redpoll instead.
At our own house we picked up yard birds number 81 and 82 in the last month or so. Number 81 was a Pine Grosbeak and number 82 was a White-winged Crossbill. Like the redpolls, these are northern finches that are ranging way south this winter. With the dark, cold, and snow of January, the visits of these birds are very cheery and welcome.
My family came and went over the holidays. I'm afraid that they missed the snow but caught colds. Not exactly the kind of holiday surprise that we had in mind. Karen and I also caught colds, so there is plenty of viral misery to go around.
My birthday came around again, too, and now I'm REALLY old.
C'est tout.
Terry 1/17/02