BIRDS DOING IT SO WE'RE DOING IT TOO

A really beautiful sunny balmy few days happening right now. The sun is rising further to the south, so much so that the kitchen and staircase are lit up like we've put in LED spotlights! Then we realized that we're not usually here in November, so it's new to us.

Also happening and new to us is the ongoing November bird migration. The in-your-face cardinals make themselves known loudly while the yellow/black evening grosbeaks just snack away quietly. But first-time visitors are the pink/grey (male) and gold/grey (female) pine grosbeaks, just about at the limits of their southern range. When they stretch their necks to their full height they remind me of the pink-and-grey galas of Australia ---- g'day mates! Even more rare is the appearance of the white-winged crossbill (pink with black wings and white patches). I hope this grainy picture gives you an idea of the feeding frenzy still full-on.

But the feeding ends tomorrow. We've decided to follow our feathered friends and drive south. The leaves are raked, the trees pruned, the fridge has been cleaned out. Follow that robin!