My favorite new friend...

I was working on a project in my craft room, and out of the corner of my eye I saw some movement. When I looked at the movement, this is what I saw. I thought to myself that I hadn't seen this kind of bird before. I grabbed my camera and hoped that I would be able to get a picture before it flew away.

Mickey D's and Jayleigh

Jayleigh and I went running errands and she wanted to stop and eat inside McDonalds.  So we did...is there somekind of prize for Gramma's who sit in McD's while their grandchildren play on the maze thing??? 

And what an attentive Gramma I am, did you see the sign above her head???

(I believe I was playing Words with Friends with Karen at the time!!)

my yard

Is this the saddest thing you have ever seen???

This yard should be covered in flaky white stuff...it's January 21st for heavens sake.

What is this white stuff????

This is what snow looks like on the deck, with Meesha's paw prints going through it.

This is what snow looks like when it is one the banister of the deck.

This is what snow looks like on the front lawn with grass peeking through.

This has been one of the worst years for NO snow.  Finally today, we got a little of the good ol' white stuff!!

Birds...Winter ones...

I love watching the birds out my bay window!!  They are amazing.  I've seen lots of different birds, and have enjoyed finding out more about them. 

This is a Northern Flicker Red-Shafted Woodpecker. This one is male.

Same kind of woodpecker but female. (I think...)

I'm thinking this is the female, but might be an adolescent.

Interesting how he balances himself on the feeder...

Hanging on the red feeder...

Western Scrub-Jay -- common one

In the feeder...

Little bird sitting in the dish of food.  (Some kind of Sparrow, ???)
This has been identified as a Pine Siskin.  Thanks, Steve!!

 This is some kind of Sparrow...not sure what kind. 
This one has also been identified as a Dark-Eyed Junco. Thanks again to Steve!!

No snow...

 I've got 3 very sad men at my house...Snowbird passes and NO SNOW!!