Gray but warming

The birds really miss the cover of the peavine, but the chickadees are hungry enough to visit anyway.  My view of the creek is much expanded. 

After lunch, it got busy.  First a male towhee, then a flock of white throats, and finally a Carolina wren foraged.  Chickadees, cardinals, and a male finch headed for the feeder.  Out on the water, a couple of buffleheads were diving.  An egret perched in a pine.  Crows decided that they had business across the creek.  Three squirrels were chasing around.  A blue jay landed over in the berry bushes. And then, around 2pm, the rain began. And I now discover that the camera was being obstinate about focus, alas. 

The wind icked up toward evening and it stormed all night.