Cold

The sky is still cloudy white.  Herons continue to line the creek while egrets hang out under the dam.  Ruddy ducks are still fishing.  Chickadees are on the feeder and white throated sparrows forage below. 

Snow flurries began at lunch - not enough to stick, just big multi-flake balls that disappeared on contact.  But it brought out the "bread and milk" urgency in the birds.  Titmice appeared, as did a wren, a song sparrow, and the regulars.  A cardinal drove off all other feeder birds, including a persistent white throat.  A red bellied woodpecker hiked up the oak, then tried a dogwood, and finally a pine.  Blue jays flew across the yard and one found something of interest at the flagstone steps. 

Around 4pm, the snow had ceased with no effect.  A male towhee appeared and disputed the feeder perch with a cardinal.  The ruddy ducks, cormorants, and herons kept fishing.