For hours I've been watching this poor guy. He's trying remain upright in a strong wind in order to glean the millet and sunflower seeds that have blown onto the ground from the feeder which has been blowing sideways all morning. Hellacious wind all night and right through morning has caused some crazy drifitng. This bird, the only one I can see from my window today, must be very hungry indeed to spend many calories fighting for a meal. I'm reading Elizabeth Marshall Thomas' book, The Hidden Life of Deer which is making me think about wildlife's struggle for survival in a harsh winter.

 

The sheep couldn't have had a very pleasant night, but they are far more fortunate than my lone feathered friend. This morning's "room service": a breakfast of sweet hay and corn served to them, along with buckets of warm drinking water. They are faring pretty well. The snow had drifted into the open barn during the night, frosting some of them with a powdery blanket (you can see it on their jackets).

I checked Amy's ears for frostbite. So far, so good. Last year she had frost-bitten ear tips and I'm always concerned that a mean wind will aggravate her poor ears. She's such a sweet soul, lets me cup her ears with my hands to check the temperature. I could walk her across the street to the birthing barn, which is far more protected. But I know she won't want to leave her group. Maybe if Cocoa, her mom, comes along. That's what we'll do.

 

 

 It seems like everyone (well, except for that poor bird) is conserving energy today. Caitlyn took the passive approach to breakfast. And I'm taking the passive approach to snow removal, letting the wind have its way for the moment. In some spots the ground is bare; in others the snow is shin deep.  I'll go out with the plow tomorrow morning, once the storm has passed, and clean up the drifts. 

Today's project – tackle the Christmas tree. But first, off to the village for latte & Sunday Times!