Frosty morning, afternoon snow

The creek and all other water sources were frozen and frost rimed the mulch and made the feeder sparkle.  A yellow rump was hungry enough to come for suet and a squirrel was out foraging.  All other wildlife was tucked away somewhere.

The temperature rose swiftly during the morning and the creek was half melted when I got home.  Then around noon a patch of fleecy cumulus blew out of the SSW, followed by more and before the hour was over the sky was overcast.

Meanwhile, the birds had arrived: titmice, both pine and yellow rump warblers, a downy woodpecker, and of course white throats and juncos joined the regulars.  A pair of starlings briefly attacked the suet, spilling more than they ate.  A pair of doves foraged afterward.

Out on the creek a cormorant dived, then some ducks appeared.  Herons and pelicans flew over.  Crows and geese strutted around the opposite bank.

And then the temperature went back down and sometime after 4pm snow started.  The ground had warmed up too much for it to stick, but I wonder about after dark.  What a weather-filled day!  The foraging white throats seemed a little frantic and a yellow rump scurried around the patio while a cardinal chowed down at the feeder.