Hummingbirds in Snow

I couldn't believe it. During some snow flurries today I had a hummingbird come to my feeder. What makes this so exceptional is that I haven't seen one all spring, summer, or fall. I got a new feeder this year, filled it up in early spring, and never saw one bird. Until yesterday a little green-backed, pink throated fellow came whirring to the feeder looking for food. There was a residual food which wasn't even frozen I was surprised to see, and he seemed to be getting something, so after he whizzed away I quickly refilled it with fresh sweet red liquid. And what to my wandering eyes should appear but a little tiny bird in wing on the air. He was back today and I was so excited to have something waiting for him to encourage his venturing.

Another sight was the golf course nearby covered with mallard ducks, heads all tucked in their backs during the snowfall. Usually there are Canadian geese, but today there were maybe 100 Mallard pairs.

I have been setting food out for some darling Chickadee mums and dads, who share begrudingly with the pair of gray squirrels who chat with our cats. They stalk but never pounce the messy squirrels. I did however find a small feather in my kitchen yesterday...

Lovely wild birds! I have my own Wild Kingdom.