Big Bird, Small Bird

So far imagining spring hasn't changed the weather outside the windows. It's snowing.

If this wasn't Leap Year, today would be the first of March and we would be spouting the old wives tale about "March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb."

Instead, it's February. Michigan motorists are having fender benders, sliding off the highways, and sometimes rolling over. It's a great day to be retired. I'm staying home.


We had a rare and special visitor last week. He wasn't very social, staying up in the tops of the tallest trees and ignoring the seed and suet feast at the feeders.

Pileated Woodpeckers are like that.

This is only the second time I've ever seen a Pileated Woodpecker and was delighted that he hung around for some picture taking, even if he wouldn't come within good camera range.


This side view is NOT my picture, but I just had to show the full majesty of this huge, eighteen inch long, bird.

I'm hoping he found something good to eat in our treetops and will stop back to visit again.


According to my favorite bird book, this little Marsh Wren doesn't usually winter over in Michigan.

Normally they're a shy bird and don't visit feeders. With their normal diet of spiders and insects not available in this weather, the peanuts and suet have lured them (there are at least two) close to the house where we've enjoying watching them.

Marsh Wrens are about five inches long from the tip of their long curved bill to the end of their perky little tails.


For months now I've been trying to get a picture that does justice to their beautiful warm brown, almost auburn, coloring. This is the best I can do for now.