The days are getting shorter and much colder. Today, on the third, it snowed! I have started feeding the birds again, on the ground (I don’t dare fill the feeder, or the bears will get it; they have not gone into hibernation yet).
The juncos were the first to find the seed I put out, and began flocking together to have a meal.
Soon enough, the blue jays came, and have chased away the smaller birds. It’s funny to watch the chipmunk that lives in the yard (I have named him “Chippie”) jostle with the jays for the seed.
As the month progresses, the frost has started, and often a sprinkling of snow on the ground. Each day, the ground looks a bit whiter, as snow mixes with the leaves. I am now putting some seed out in the bird feeder, and the chickadees are starting to visit. They have no fear; I can stand very close to them and they will continue eating.
This year’s crop of baby mergansers are quite large and adult-looking now. They can be seen out on the bay each day, and on occasion come near to the shore to feed.
The other day, I saw a hawk up in a tree and managed to get a photo of him. The now- bare trees make good “lookout spots” for these raptors.
It’s getting close to Thanksgiving, and I saw seven (yes, seven!) swans “a-swimming” out on Lake Huron today. There were several adults, and also some of this year’s “babies” that are getting quite large, even though they are still in their greyish protective coloring. In the photo, I only caught six, because one was off to the side a bit.
Soon, the lake will freeze; in the bay, some of the marshes are starting to. The days are getting colder. As November draws to a close, I know that winter will be here soon – and so do the birds.