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Mother nature on the move prior to cold front's arrival

By JIM NIGRO

The sun was barely up Thursday morning when this bluebird and downy woodpecker showed up to sample the frost-covered sumac. Thanks to their "built in" barometers, bird and other wildlife movement often precedes an impending storm or inclement weather.

This female "downy" opted to try her luck on the apple tree. In her search for a meal, she'll look high and low.....

and probe every nook and cranny, leaving nothing to chance in her quest to locate insects. 

How many times a second do you think she can rat-a-tat-tat the tree trunk? ......go ahead.....count 'em!

Later in in the morning, long after the frost has melted away, the male downy is still giving the sumac drupes a thorough going over.

Mr. & Mrs. house finch take a respite in the upper branches of the apple tree.

High atop the cottonwood, some 80 feet up the air, a lone crow keeps tabs on the surroundings below.

Pair of wild tom's scouring a harvested grain field for kernels of corn. 

For the past couple of days there was a good deal of wildlife movement around our neck of the woods. But that has already ceased, even as I write this. Everything seems to be hunkered down, waiting for whatever it is that's coming our way to pass through.   

Mardell Lamb

Never tire here either, Jim. I'm still counting the rat-a-tat-tats! Can't count that fast. Ha ha.

Hope you & Claudia are keeping warm (& the pups, too.) Thanks again for the great posts.

Nov 25, 2013, 5:43pm Permalink
JIM NIGRO

Hi Mardell......Thank you. I was surprised (and quite pleased) to get the bluebird pic this late in the year. Everyone is warm & cozy here, including dogs & Murray the cat! Tomorrow Claudia and I celebrate our 42nd anniversary!!!

PS... Hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov 25, 2013, 6:49pm Permalink
Mardell Lamb

Thank you Jim, Happy Thanksgiving to you too, and also a big Happy Anniversary to you and Claudia! What a year that was ~~ I started 1st grade. Loved the seventies. Things were so different back then.

Enjoy your special day with each other. Sweeter as the years pass. You are blessed, indeed! (Smile!)

Nov 25, 2013, 8:20pm Permalink
Kathy Owen

Jim, I always enjoy your photos and commentary. A nice escape from all the turmoil in the world. I admire your vast knowledge on all things flora and fauna! Can you mention once more what kind of camera (Canon?) and lens you use? Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.

Nov 28, 2013, 9:14pm Permalink
JIM NIGRO

Good morning, Kathy - Thank you for your kind words. We hope your Thanksgiving was enjoyable as well!
You have a good memory - Claudia and I both use the Canon Power Shot SX 20.
Nice hearing from you and tell Jim we said hello!

Nov 29, 2013, 7:47am Permalink

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