Thursday, February 11, 2010

Greetings from Maryland

Greetings from Maryland, where the snow is deep and the skies are blue. I’m pleased to tell you that the power is still on and that I haven’t yet gone crazy from the isolation that living here on the hill provides.

This morning I went up to the third floor, opened a window and took these two photos, hoping to show you what I mean by being isolated when it snows like this.

We live on a hill that’s gradual incline all the way up the driveway. It’s a lot to plow.

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You can see where the driveway had been plowed Tuesday, can’t you?. We got another 16 inches on top of that and now the sun has begun its work at packing it down. The driveway curves to the left and half of it continues through woods until it comes out to the main road.

This morning, my husband took the chainsaw down on a sled he made, cutting down a couple of small trees that had fallen and clearing branches for the plow when it comes. I hope it comes today . . . I have plans for tomorrow.

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This is looking out the window and off to the south. It’s difficult to tell from here but the snow is deep. If you were walking in it with no trail, say starting at the edge of the driveway and walking towards the big fir tree in the center there, you would sink almost up to mid-thigh.

There are trails all around the house and around the property. One is a cross-country ski trail which I stay off of and the other is a series of trails my husband and George made. They’re really quite nice to walk on and you don’t sink as far down.

And now for some bird action from my kitchen window. Because this is the only thing that’s really going on around here. Well this and flying slingshot superhero squirrels. And puzzles. And snacking. And oh, don’t even get me started on the snacking.

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Male dark-eyed junco. What a sweet little bird.

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Nuthatch. They walk upside down on the tree limbs. And they never seem to stay still, always twitching hither and thither.

It’s difficult capturing bird photos. They move so darn fast.

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Now you see this female cardinal . . .

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Then she’s gone.

The blue jays arrived in gangs this morning. They are such thugs, I tell you, jumping all over and clearing out all the other birds. “Hey, youse little chirps, this here’s our territory. So make like a tree and leave, why dontcha.”

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And the little birds always scatter. Nobody wants to mess with the jays, man.

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So how are things in your neck of the woods? You probably don’t have talking birds, do you?

‘til next time, my friends . . .

35 comments:

Sharon said...

We have been inundated with Blue Jays all winter... and you're right they are thugs! We had to set up a second feeder section just so the chickadees have a chance! Fortunately we now have some Morning Doves and they're holding their own with the Jays.

Totally fun to watch!

(and I have no idea if it's Morning Doves or Mourning Doves. I could look I guess, but I'm too lazy!)

eileeninmd said...

Beautiful snow photos and I love the bird shots.

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

I will have to say the birds have been the best part of all this for me!
<><

abb said...

That one jay looks like he's taking a wingless header to the ground! You know...I haven't seen a bluejay, let alone 4 all year. Guess they're all visiting you!

D.K. Wall said...

Beautiful scenery. We are dug out and moving around, so no worries there.

becky up the hill said...

Oh yea for lovely blue skies! Hope that plow comes soon. Dose Jay's are bullies, I agree. I tell our cat she can have'em for lunch, but so far she has not taken me up on it (I think they scare her too). For anyone that wants to defend, understand, I've seen them take babies out of other nest and well..you get it. Stay warm Kate!

Anonymous said...

ms. cardinal looks like she's preparing for her triple somersault high-dive with a twist. ;-)

stunning! and we know about those pesky bluejays (but they are beautiful!)

beth said...

I feel the same way about those devilish blue jays !

and your trip you told me about sounds great....I really hope they you get you plowed out, so you can hit the road for a terrific weekend.....

JC said...

Thanks for sharing photos of your snowy woods. I live in woods too but nothing like what you have.

We get dark blue jays. Your lighter ones are very pretty.

The cardinal .. wow, I don't get those.

Julie Harward said...

Wow..you really are snowed in aren't you! It is beautiful..hope you have enough peanut butter and jam LOL We hardly have many birds here but I know they are hard to get a picture of! Have a good valentines day and come say hi :D

Nancy Grossi ~ Churned In Cali ~ The Wife of a Dairyman said...

Wow, you guys are really getting hit hard in the east. It's all they're talking about on the news here in CA! Hope it clears out soon for you...

Carolynn Anctil said...

I think your place looks heavenly. With all those birds, your sweetheart, George & a few snacks, you really have everything. A rooster might be nice. *grin*

The JR said...

Beautiful pictures. That's a lot of snow.

Tess Kincaid said...

We have a long drive just like you. It was plowed after the first snow, but it's covered again with a foot of snow from the second. My personal plower is out until the weekend. I'm snowed in, but so far still sane...heh-heh.

Daryl said...

Those jays are noisy pushy guys ... we had a few that would come into the backyard here .. cats loved to sit and watch them ...

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Beautiful! Love the birds. The blue jays here eat the cat and dog food (kibble). They'll eat just about anything, and they are loud. But beautiful.

Good luck tomorrow, hopefully you'll be able to get out.

molly susan strong said...

Love your photos. I am in Va. but have a shop in Md. Vintage lovelies! I am obsessed with my doves, finches and bluebirds. I also vacation in Maine each year. Love Maine more than I can say. Maybe you can come by our shop sometime??

Ellen said...

Sorry that the get together was canceled this weekend.

Let's make plans to meet and do Winterteur sometime soon.

Mary said...

Oh, I adore nuthatches! We have lots of huge crows, who caw loudly whenever we throw bread out on the snow. And turkey vultures who circle high in the sky. And there are always the usual suspects -- blue jays and cardinals and chickadees and house finches...

Lovely blue skies and snow. Wow, you really got zonked!

Annie said...

white, lots of very white snow Kate, everywhere, here in Inwood, NYC.

love your photos...just divine as always.

myletterstoemily said...

so sorry about all your snow...reminds me of the
"long hard winter" by wilder!

thank you for the adorable bird photos. they are
just the cutest things.

Marilyn said...

I do agree the bluejays are bullies, but they are so pretty. i love mrs. cardinal and her "red lipstick" beak. our mr. and mrs are on the feeder all the time. wasn't the sun wonderful today? it got warm enough here for me to open the window for a few minutes.
lovely photos kate. as always

Mental P Mama said...

Lots of hungry birdies here, too. You'll see them for yourself on Saturday;)

LizB said...

Back home in No. VA, we used to have blue jays that would dive bomb our cat. :) Brave little things - but my cat eventually caught one. :)

So glad you're staying warm!

maggie said...

You blog is so full, rich. I feel like a kid in a candy store. Thanks for blogging. PS:not sure why my photo is coming up annoymous as your follower???

Low Tide High Style said...

You inspired me to take some pictures of the birds in our backyard today. I think I still need more practice though!

We have plenty of snow and the drifts are huge, but our wonderful neighbor plowed us out yet again! Time to buy him some beer and make him more brownies!

Kat :)

Gail said...

We have been lucky, or rather our birds have, No Blue Jays nor Mocking Birds on the scene. I am not sure where they are.

Your view is so stunning. Peaceful like an island surrounded in white waves.

I didn't have any snow compared to yours, I feel bad complaining.

It is a big plus when the power stays. Last year during our horrific ice storm, we had no power for over two weeks.

Enjoy your beautiful view and your awesome home...the snow will leave soon.

Sue said...

Hi Kate....that's ALOT of snow you have there....and you take the best bird pictures....what size zoom lens are you using?....we have no cute birds here in Georgia...all I ever see are buzzards.

Hilary said...

Great birdie photos. You sure are snowed in. I hope your plans work out.

Cloudia said...

We love your posts!



Aloha, Friend


Comfort Spiral

My name is Riet said...

Beautiful snow shots and I love all the birds on the pictures. Such great shots

Golden West said...

What a sweeping view from our third floor window - it must be beautiful in every season!

Gina said...

I happened on your blog through the Pioneer Woman's a few weeks ago and found it again last week and saved it. I am enjoying reading it and of course your beautiful photos. The views of the property look divine. I would love to be that secluded. :)

Donalyn said...

Have fun Kate! And that is a pretty good shot of the nuthatch - I am never happy with the photos I get of them, because of that never holding still for a second thing.

And oddly - the bluejays here don't seem to scare off the littler birds all that much - maybe they are used to them or something? Yesterday, a gang of 6 jays were trying to get a little red squirrel to move, and he just sat there, eating the seeds off the ground, and eventually they gave up and flew off. And you thought your life was exciting!

Anonymous said...

Ya, jays are some bad dudes. Love them anyway... but of the winter birds, the cardinals are hands down my favorite. Tons of snow you have there! Looks like Columbia, Maryland did in 2003 when we had 26 inches in 24 hours. Pretty, but ooooh the work involved to move it all.

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal