Winter roars in

No wind this morning.  Chickadees and white throats were competing for the feeder when a female cardinal dismissed them all.  A song sparrow foraged on the ground.  I love the way the peavine shakes and then a bird pops out.

Wow, that didn't last!  Before noon, heavy dark clouds blew out of the North, threatening snow and freeze. Brrrrr!  

Carolina wrens appeared mid-afternoon. The wren and the white throated sparrow are having an eyeliner competition here.  Sparrows, chickadees, finches and cardinals fed despite the wind.  Gulls played in the sky, but crows and cormorants had to work to fly.  Geese stuck to the creek.

At sunset, sleet started.  It coated the road briefly but was gone by 8pm.  The argiope has gone missing and her web is shredded with leaves dangling from it.  I hope she's tucked into a warm crevice, maybe behind the porch light.