Another snow storm coats the landscape in winter white. Yews bow with its weight after their berries were plucked clean by European Starlings. Mourning Doves visit the feeder during the storm once they woke from nesting in the cedar hedge. They have become the earliest of visitors taking flight when I fill the feeders. They know my footsteps.
The family of squirrels return mid morning to feast. The usual suspects of four blacks and two greys scramble for the piles of sunflower seeds I spread out, wishfully thinking there is no squabbling. That doesn’t mean they eat in peace for they do argue among themselves. I spread an extra Christmas treat of peanuts that were devoured in an hour.
When the squirrels are full and move onto another garden the songbirds fly in. Junco’s, Chickadees, and Cardinals alight soaring in, choosing a seed then fly into the tree’s to eat. They are silent and I miss their songs.
As night appears the bunnies hop in searching for leftover seed. Carrots are left below the bird feeder and am happy they have disappeared by morning. Their paw prints continue through the garden and onto the veranda where I am sure they shelter under during the winter. The front drive is scattered with paw prints every morning. O they know where a good meal may be found.
Tomorrow there will be a clean up before Christmas Day’s feast with family. Parka, scarves, two snow pants and sweaters, and heaven forbid socks in the snow boots will be donned. Merry Merry to all. There will be a white Christmas after all.
