Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before...
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store...
"Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more..."

Bless you all!

Bobbie

There are some pictures in the Albany Times Union...

Ei

Thanks, Ei. What a handsome animal. Sure hope those rescuers don't have a fine slapped on them for not having the correct flotation devices.

Bravissimo! Another one for the Good Guys!
 

 
(This is the fox watching its rescuers...)

We could be looking out the same window, Baerbel! Which I have been doing since around 10am today as I made the pumpkin pie, stuffing, cranberry sauce, a vegetarian nut roast for Rod... We have loads of northern Thrushes with us, but we are very much missing the Greenfinches - do you have these? We have not seen a single one, sadly. Nor has our Blackcap paid us a visit yet, in spite of the inviting apple perched on a pole right within my view. And we have three Robins out there - they spend more time - and energy! - chasing each other away than they do feeding.

Again - Merry Christmas!

Bobbie
  (This is me, all bundled up in our snowy Ireland!)

[MAKfalcon (MAK):]

MAKfalcon (MAK): B has just stooped on pigeons over the river. Missed it!

Really, MAK! DO try to pay attention!

Hmmm... my first thought?

Bah! Humbug!

Merry Christmas to all my Falcon Forum Friends!

Nollaig Shona Dhuit.

God bless us, every one!

Slainte!

Bobbie & Rod in Wicklow

 

Even now, Rod is out getting more bird food, esp high-fat items like suet. We are replenishing the feeders many times per day at the moment. I know you are all used to this, but for us, this Arctic weather is unheard of and we are not prepared. Nor are the birds that come down from Scandinavia at this time of year, only to find that conditions are even worse. In the past few days, Dublin has been colder than Stockholm.

One thing people forget is to leave out water for birds, even in these conditions. They cannot, apparently, get the water from the snow, and they always need to preen. We knock the ice off our water bowl a few times a day! And now, of course, I have Mister Fox's welfare to worry about!

[A very pretty song they sing!]

A very pretty song they sing!

'Tis! Even in the deep mid-winter.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A Slidell man has pleaded guilty to selling and attempting to sell migratory bird parts in violation of federal law.

Marc David Maciera pleaded guilty Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says that court documents show between March and June 2008, 35-year-old Maciera knowingly sold and offered for sale parts of anhingas, a migratory bird, to people across the United States via the internet.

Investigators say Maciera sent sets of feathers, for which he received about $300 each, through the mail.

Maciera faces up to two years in prison and a $2,000 fine.

Sentencing is set for March 24.

I can think of an appropriate "sentence"!

Never too late to play, Carla!

Some nice snow pics and I'll let Bobbie explain the Robin!

Thanks for posting for me, Donna!

As you can see, "our" Robin is quite different from the American variety. They are very friendly little fellows and will often become quite familiar with a gardener - or a snow-shoveller. This little guy follows Rod around as he warms up the car, shovels, puts out the bird food. During the winter, they are solitary creatures, with each holding its own territory. And - sweet as they look - they can be very protective and possessive of their patch. We have seen some mighty scary-looking fights between competing Robins. We are pretty sure that our garden has two territories, and the boundaries are probably blurred by the snowy conditions and the positions of our feeders.

I may have sent this before, but here is the RSPB link for the Robin... Have a listen to its song - the male sings year round, and it is the loveliest jangling sound, tho - in the dead of winter - sounding a bit forlorn.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/r/robin/index.aspx

[So I guess this is Z end?]

So I guess this is Z end?

Someone has been at the cooking sherry!!

I love this game .It was fun learning about all the birds an I feel sorry,because I did not have the time to post more myself.I admire the people who posted their own birdpics and the story behind it.
Thank you all.
Greetings Carla

Same goes for me, Carla - lots of fun! I did not post anything myself, tho I was tempted to find birds' names in Irish.

Slainte!
 
Bobbie

Sorry for the ruckus I've caused. It wasn't my intention to store my pics here. I have alot to learn.  Still a rookie.

"MAK admits she is a little techno-challenged"  This is an understatement!

MAK, your boundless enthusiasm and total dedication to the Falcons overrides everything else!