A patchy skin of ice covered part of the creek and the birdbath was frozen solid. A few small cumulus floated in the blue sky. The orioles wanted first crack at the remains of the suet. White throats soon came a-foraging. A Carolina wren was next. A brown thrasher's head popped up, periscope-like, from below the steps where it was feasting on suet crumbs. The suet was gone by lunch time so I made a pilgrimage to buy more.
Pelicans were thick over the creek, undeterred by the ice. Unfortunately, they were too often obscured by vegetation. But the young brown pelican rested below the dam beside a great blue heron.
Since there was so little suet left, and since there was no rain in the forecast, I put out barkbutter balls which immediately drew a whole flock of blue jays. Bluebirds managed to get a few, but the blue jays packed them in till I was surprised they could take flight. The woodpeckers decided barkbutter balls were easier to reach than the suet nubbin, but they politely only took one each visit. Yellow rumped warblers also switched to the barkbutter balls after I refilled the cup they'd emptied during the morning. A pine warbler lurked up in the cherry with the bluebirds but never came down for food.
Alas, a starling discovered barkbutter balls so I suppose they'll be emptying that feeder too. Although, the starling seemed to be sensitive to the hot pepper and needed a drink.
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