Sun melting

We woke up to snow cover that seemed no more than what we had at sunset yesterday.  The creek was free of ice, later the tide was again higher than usual.  Mallards, hoodies, a bufflehead, and geese were out on the water, while a pelican and an egret flew over.  A butterbutt was the first to come to the feeders.  Chickadees followed.  I scattered seeds on the snow and the sparrows quarreled over them.  The song sparrow intimidated the white throats.  Later squirrels feasted and courted.

By noon all the snow in the sun had melted, but it lingered in the shade.  That's when a titmouse and a Carolina wren finally showed up.  I discovered geese in the grass next to the spartina, but they saw me too and departed. While we were eating lunch, the juncos finally appeared.  The sun got really bright.

And the day finished in a cold, clear night.