The Cardinals Always Arrive at Dusk

- Cold and clear this morning. Typically this time of year, , in our part of Tennessee, the day/night hi/low is around 48/30 in the Sequatchie Valley and 46/26 on the Cumberland Plateau. We have had a few cold nights recently! The forecast is for milder weather across the area this weekend and next week.

- I observed several groups of Sandhill Cranes floating over the Sequatchie Valley this morning. The birds were in groups of 8-12 and, though I did not see them touch down, they seemed to be intent on landing in a field adjacent to the Sequatchie River. Some things warrant a quick detour from the highway......just to watch.

- Attached are several recent photos of birds on my feeders......

From bottom to top.....

1) A Common Flicker and Eastern Bluebird seem to be enjoying a casual moment.

2) A male Northern Cardinal perched stoically in the cold wind on the bough of a young Hemlock. The Cardinals always show up at dusk...sometimes as many as 6-8, males and females. They are always the last ones to leave the feeders.

3) A Red-Bellied Woodpecker caught in a curious pose as it peers around the suet feeder.

4) A female Downy Woodpecker enjoying the suet.

5) A Carolina Wren (not to be confused with Bewick's Wren), also found in this area...seems to resting comfortably after a snack. A closeup of this industrious little bird would show a bill configuration more adapted to other food sources. It must have been quite hungry on a cold winter day!

- I also observed Chickadees, Purple Finches, Song Sparrows, Mourning Doves, Hairy Woodpeckers, Goldfinches, White Breasted Nuthatches, Tufted Titmice, and even a Mockingbird during the day.