Storm

The worst of it was West of us, but we got strong winds and rain.  The wind direction meant that the North-facing windows were streaked  and hard to photograph through.  A few buffleheads fished on the choppy creek. 

Although it was in the 40s a lump of ice remained in the birdbath.  Hungry feeder birds included a Carolina wren, a brown thrasher, and a mockingbird.  The wren ate suet despite forays from a downy woodpecker.  The woodpecker turned to the barkbutter along with the mockingbird and its thrasher cousin.  White throated sparrows stayed earthbound.   The house finches took over the seed feeder and squabbled among themselves. 

I saw a bird streak into the sweet gum but was surprised to discover it was a kingfisher.  Pelicans flew, dived, and floated up and down the creek.