Freezing

The thermometer read 28° and the creek was iced over except very close to the far edge.  Low tide exposed mud and sunken branches.Naturally that kept the waterfowl away.  The feeder birds were hungry again but I didn't replenish the barkbutter till the temperature climbed up to 40°.  The female pileated tucked into the suet.  

The female red bellied woodpecker reappeared and ate seeds.  Starlings made their usual mess of the suet.  The mockingbird was around but today it was a warbler that got up on the chair to peer in through the window.  Bluebirds ate seeds too since the barkbutter dish was empty.  White throats scurried around.  The two female orioles argued again and emptied the jelly.  

A white breasted nuthatch also got a share of seeds.  Blue jays were late noticing when I refilled the barkbutter dish.  The creek slowly melted but not the birdbath.