Friday, February 18, 2011

Warm Spell

We had a little warm spell.  It got to 40 degrees above zero for a few days.  The snow began to melt, the walk and patio were entirely cleared of snow and ice.

The sparrows visited to eat the thistle seed.  They made a pooping mess..

IMG_1330 Since it was warm, I took out a bucket of water and cleaned out the bird bath and scrubbed down the bird poop on the feeders and moved this thistle bag to a different area.

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It took the stupid Chickadees days to find this peanut butter feeder.  They grab a bite and them fly over to the roof and peck at the snow to wash it down.  It is just a jar of peanut butter with a little board that is attached with a screw to the top part of the bird feeder pole.

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The Oaks began to make their skirts in the snow.

IMG_1364 The snow stick made its own skirt..it is now at the 14 inch mark.  That is still a bunch of snow.

Yesterday high winds brought in a cold front..and now we have about an inch of new snow  to cover up the crappy looking old melty snow. 

We have had our February thaw..it did not last nearly long enough for me:)

** We cut a square hole with an exacto knife in both sides of the peanut butter jar.  So far the peanut butter is staying in there!

***The tree skirts are caused by the heat that the tree trunk absorbs and releases to melt the nearby snow.

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17 comments:

  1. LannyFebruary 18, 2011 at 12:31 PM

    Sorry that your Feb thaw wasn't longer lived. How do they get the peanut butter out? Funny you should do a bird post today. What causes the skirt? - I'm out to learn stuff today!

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  2. RaeFebruary 18, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    We've thawed too. Amazing how much litter was underneath all the snow on our front street. Stupid people too lazy to throw their trash in a can. Makes me so mad. I'd rather deal with bird poop. Your peanut butter idea is great. I used to smear PB on pine cones then roll them in oatmeal. It was a messy job. The jar seems like a much better idea.

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  3. Far Side of FiftyFebruary 18, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    Hi Lanny,Great questions..I added the answers to the post! :)

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  4. Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise)February 18, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    We have finally lost all the snow today. I must say it felt good to see it go. It's been a long time since our ground has been covered that long.

    I too am quiet curious about your peanut butter jar feeder. Do you punch holes in the bottom edge for the birds to access it???

    God bless ya and have an amazin' weekend sweetie!!!

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  5. troutbirderFebruary 18, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    We had 57 yesterday here on Minnesotas "Banana Belt." I think Mother Nature is toying with us as she gets ready to send another Artic Blast.

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  6. Terra February 18, 2011 at 5:24 PM

    I love your little birds. I find I am filling my bird feeders often!

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  7. RedFebruary 18, 2011 at 5:44 PM

    Everybody seems to be antsy for spring this year. Cabin fever? However spring will come on it's own sweet time and it will be sweet.

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  8. LindaFebruary 18, 2011 at 5:59 PM

    I love the jar idea! I never even though to use peanut butter for that........just cookies;)

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  9. LyndaFebruary 18, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    We have had very springlike weather - - even saw some snow crocus. However, we will still have one more cold snap. We always do but it's okay because I do not enjoy the heat of summer. . . . love spring and autumn though!

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  10. The Retired OneFebruary 18, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    The chickadees have eaten out of our peanut butter feeder all winter...and continue to do so...it is half gone already. ha

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  11. AnonymousFebruary 19, 2011 at 5:11 AM

    At least you had a spell of warm weather right? After 50 cm of snow last weekend, we woke up to minus 25 C this morning!

    Brrr... cold - but lovely!

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  12. Changes in the windFebruary 19, 2011 at 7:31 AM

    Great idea that peanut butter....

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  13. Connie PetersonFebruary 19, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    Never thought of peanut butter. I have seen a few chickadees but not many. I think I'll wrest some peanut butter from Norm's hands and try that! We have Goldfinches, Blue Jays, Woodpeckers and Nuthatches ... not even Sparrows this year. We are battening down the hatches for this next storm. Stay safe in it.

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  14. RURAL February 19, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    See all those warm weather wishes are working from Canada. Hooray!

    Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

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  15. Just Stuff From a BoomerFebruary 19, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    Becasue we are N.C. transplants from Michigan,( Terry is from upper Mi, by "the bridge".) I appreciate your prayers for spring this time of year. I, too, love the peanutbutter idea. I have smeared it on pine cones to hang in the tree, but your idea is great. I did see a huge flock of robins down here so maybe they will be headed your way soon.

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  16. Maery RoseFebruary 20, 2011 at 10:03 PM

    I'm wondering if you are also getting today's snow. It took awhile to reach my neck of the woods but it looks like there will be plenty of snow to shovel in the morning.

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  17. Karmyn RFebruary 21, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    I would have never thought to stick the PB out like that - clever and much less messy than trying to smear it on something like pinecones!

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Thanks for stopping by! I appreciate your comments! If you have a question I will try to answer it here. I no longer accept anonymous comments. All comments will be approved before posting...due to spammers...may the fleas of a thousand camels infest every hair on his body. Connie