Bright day

Bright sun on snow was rough on photos.  There were interesting squirrel and bird tracks in the snow when I went out to open the feeder.   The creek was iced again. A Carolina wren hopped right on the feeder as soon as I went back in the house.  A female red bellied woodpecker headed for the suet but got away from my camera.  It was followed by the male downy.  Then the yellow rumped warblers got in the act.  Titmice also came for breakfast.  White throated sparrows werre around but in smaller numbers than before all this weather.  Doves and juncos congregated in the snow.  The butterbutt actually dislodged the downy from the suet. 

Herons were thick in the open ribbons of water.  The ring necked duck was back along with several ruddy ducks, all diving for food.  A small flock of mallards threaded their way up one of the channels in the ice. 

I had a meeting in the afternoon and the light was fading when I got home.  Herons, buffleheads, hoodies, and ruddy ducks were still fishing.