Walk in the Woods

Most of the snow is gone now in the woods and it was a bright sunny afternoon when we set off for some fresh air and exercise today.

Back to the Bargain Loft

My first visit to the Loft in more than a month - last time I was there, The Christmas Shop was in full swing.  Now the focus has switched to Valentine's Day...

The very last of the Christmas items are now on sale at 75% off!  

Any Christmas stock remaining at the end of the day tomorrow will be stored away for next year.

Squirrel Proof?

At this time of year, having exhausted or buried the fallen acorns, the squirrels use all their ingenuity to access the seeds in the 'squirrel proof' feeders.

Today this squirrel was having some success and so I tried to distract him with some rather tired butternut squash..

He seemed happy with this more accessible offering!

Cold Weather Visitors

We didn't see Cyril today but this very similar black cat called by - he didn't  come close but stopped to have a look at us from a distance and then went on his way.

As it has been very cold, the bird feeders have been busy with bluebirds and other more regular visitors.

Just Passing By

The neighbourhood grey cat (named Cyril by Lauren when he first appeared) called by today.  He likes a little attention and would really like to come in but that is impractical as there are no doors to shut to contain him and so he runs all over the place and hides under the furniture.

He settled on the decking rail for a while to wait for the birds..strangely though, there were not many to be seen!

Snow Visitors

Today it has been raining fairly solidly and, unusually, I have not taken a single photograph.

On Saturday when it was cold and icy I put out some extra food on the rail of the decking and on a plate on the decking itself so that there was food available for all the birds.

The arrival of this pair of bluebirds to eat the seed on the rail was great to see - they only visit in the winter and it is always a thrill to see their surprising bright colours!

The plate of food on the decking soon attracted the attention of a squirrel who claimed it for his own and defended it while he picked out and nibbled his favourite seed.  That wasn't really the intention but we tend to declare a truce when it is very cold and not chase them away..

Snowy Woods

This afternoon we set off for a walk in the woods to make the most of the sunshine.  The swimming pool at Hunters Woods did not look very inviting and most of the water in the woods was also frozen.

The woods were quiet, at least until a Pileated Woodpecker came along and started drumming on a tree high above the path..

He is not very easy to spot and we didn't have a camera with us, just our phones, so no real close up shots.

This evening we walked (or rather slid) around the block after dinner to see whether any of the Christmas lights were still up.

Just one solitary snowman lighting up the darkness!