As I look out into my front yard, I notice the piles of snow in front of my driveway. 

They seem to grow a little bit every day, and never seem to melt. 

I will make them grow even larger as I go out and clear the snow that the snowplows have deposited in my driveway.

This is the kind of winter I remember as a kid, with plenty of snow and cold temperatures.

Walking to school back in my younger days (we never got a ride), I remember how clear and crisp the air was, and how alive everything was with birds singing, squirrels chattering and the crunch of the snow beneath your feet. 

I would always stop a few times just to listen for a moment, and then run to school as I would always seem to be late. This clearly is one of those winters, so we probably should make the best of it, like it or not.

The last couple of days I have noticed cardinals singing, usually during the mornings. To me this is a good sign of better weather to come. Although it is only February, nature is gearing up for spring, and the singing of the cardinals is a good sign spring isn’t too far away. I could have a bad case of cabin fever, but as a nature photographer, I can’t let the winter weather get the best of me, so I become a “feeder watcher!”

With camera in hand I am constantly on the lookout for anything unusual, or even comical at the feeder. One never knows what might happen at any given moment, while many species of birds are trying to find their places at the feeder.

I’ve had a pair of red-breasted nuthatches, and white breasted nuthatches which alternate positions at the suet and sunflower stations. 

They are very approachable, especially the red-breasted. They make being a photographer at this time of the year, very enjoyable. The downy woodpeckers are a bit shy, but regular visitors. 

I have not seen the red-bellied woodpecker for quite some time. The blue jays are always at the feeder. I believe they are all from the same family that makes the rounds from feeder to feeder. 

Their antics make for great photography. This is also a great year for juncos. They seem to be around in great numbers this year. Although not the most colorful birds on the block, they have a certain charm as our “snowbirds.”

I have not gotten any reports of evening grosbeaks so far this year. Maybe this isn’t a year when they will venture southward. 

I photographed my best evening grosbeak images in early 2013, when they seemed to be everywhere. Their movement southward is called an irru ption, and this might not be an irruption year. The big irruption in late 2013 and early 2014 were the snowy owls. 

I don’t believe you will see them on your feeders, but if you ever get a chance to see one, you will never forget it. 

When you read this it will be late February and the snowy probably will be on their way back up to the Arctic to begin nesting. A hardy bird, indeed!  

On the subject of owls, great-horned owls will be nesting soon, despite the weather. They are very early nesters, known to be on eggs in late February. Listen at night for these secretive birds of prey. They are among us!

Robins have been around the area most of the winter. This is not unusual, as more of what we think of as southern birds, winter right here in northern Pennsylvania, including bluebirds, which you might see at your feeders. 

I have had a pair of Carolina wrens which have wintered in the area, and spend a great deal of time at my feeders. When I think of Carolina, and wrens, I think of summer, not winter. 

This is an example of a southern species moving northward and establishing itself in the harsh winters of our area. 

The wren is also very approachable, and a great photo opportunity. So don’t let the long winter get you down, just sit in the warmth of your home and look outside. You never know what surprises will come to your backyard. 

There are also many bird watching activities to keep you busy during those cold winter days including Project Feeder watch, and backyard bird counts.

For more bird related information, become a member of the Allegheny Highlands Bird Club. They meet every third week of the month at the 911 center in Smethport. They offer great speakers and awesome field trips. Check them out! 

Until my next adventure…

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Questions or wildlife sightings, email Rocky at rocky.holland1@verizon.net