Snow and More Snow

The last couple of weeks we have already had what feels like, and may turn out to actually be, a whole winter’s worth of weather here in Chicago. The problem is, it’s only early January. I grew up in the snow belt of Buffalo, so I should be used to this. But, over the last 20 years, I’ve become a bit more used to the weather here. And the weather we’ve had lately is highly unusual both in low temperatures and snowfall. In some cases even record breaking and we I know we aren’t alone!

Storms all seem to be needing a name these days. The Weather Channel has officially named this storm “Ion”. But, really, I find the whole concept of officially naming snowstorms like hurricanes odd. The US NWS Chicago is using #chiberia to tag photos and comments. That’s actually fun since you can easily follow storm reporting from everyone on Facebook and Twitter. Then there’s #windchillmageddon. That’s my husband Steve’s contribution. Do you have a name to add? Whatever the case, this has been quite a couple of weather weeks, and I’m sure this will be a stretch of weather we’ll all remember.

I finally got all my feeders and seed out there just in time. I wish I had already picked up the heated birdbath my mom is passing on to me since she got a new one. I think the birds could be using some spa time. She says hers is busy all the time.

The feeders are all full.

The arborvitae and other shrubs are providing the birds with some winter protection from the snow and wind. They collect in the shrubs, then pop out to the feeders. Back and forth all day, until something invisible scares them off for a bit.

Daisy spends most of her time outdoors staring at the tree…

..and the squirrel quite boldly staring back.

Here’s some more storm images from my yard. Doesn’t look quite as inviting as in the summertime.

As of Sunday night (1/5/13), we’ve had about 8.5 inches in the last 24 hours, and about 21 inches since New Year’s Eve when this all started. The water content has averaged about 8%, making it nice and fluffy snow. While I am writing this Sunday night, the temperature has just dropped below zero with significantly dangerous wind chills. It’s not expected back above zero for about 34 hours. Brrrr. The kids are getting and extra day off so they are happy. Hope you are all warm and safe!

Blog-Themed Christmas

The gifts under the tree this year from my kids definitely had a outdoor theme to it. My daughter has been one of my first blog followers, and even a photo contributor to my site, but who knew my 17 yr old boys paid attention at all? (To be honest, I may have given the boys some hints, but they put their own spin on it)

First, I already get a few gardening and cooking magazines, but now I can add Organic Gardening (sorry no longer in print) to my reading list. I already follow it on-line, and I’m sure it’ll come in handy as I expand my gardening skills and knowledge. Then, they got me a new bird tube feeder, a suet feeder and suet to go with the nyjer sock feeder. I’m enjoying the visits from the goldfinches, but I hope I’ll be seeing more birds arriving in my yard with these new feeders. I also put the feeders out just in time too, with the frigidly cold weather and snow settling in for a while. The cute snowman feeder I saw on the Feeder Cam, also mysteriously made it under the tree.

Luckily we had a couple of days above freezing and I could get this pole moved into the right spot.

Then, I added the suet feeder and moved the snowman to the area. I filled his brim with seed and hope we don’t have any winds to knock him over. This area has the added bonus of being visible from the kitchen window. But, this was the view and as soon as the birds started showing up, I knew there was a problem.

The screens were going to have to go! Now the view is much better! Cardinals, Juncos, a Downy Woodpecker are already visiting. Being at the sink is going to be much more fun now.

My daughter surprised me with a very cute air-plant terrarium from a garden shop near her apartment. I’ll show that in an upcoming post.

Hope you had a lot of fun things under your tree, too.

Winter Birds

I showed you my mom Peggy’s bird feeders in a recent post (Peggy’s Feeders). A natural follow up is to show off some of the birds that visit her in Northern Michigan in the winter. Enjoy!

Junco