How to Survive the Long Cold Winter

Last Fall I notice a drumming noise outside my garage and looked up and saw a Downy Woodpecker going to town on my neighbor's house--it had created quite a large hole in the cedar siding. When I saw my neighbor next, I pointed out the new hole. This is not the first time he's had to repair his siding, he's been battling these little terrorists for decades.

His latest attempt at protecting his house is to hang silver streamers all over the house with the hope that the reflection from the tinsel-like streamers will distract the Downy from destroying the house. Unfortunately, it's not working.

Then he said something about his next step being a BB gun. I joked later that we both wanted to shoot the pecker, he with his Red Ryder and me with my Canon Rebel.

I love to watch birds, all year long, an obsession born out of my husband's childhood spent identifying birds. He's been pointing out birds for 20 years, and now I am equally obsessed.

So, this weekend, I took out my camera when the light was just right. It was snowing, and the birds were hungry. Thanks to my hubby's recent purchase of a suet feeder, now the Downy and his Red-bellied friend, are eating at our feeder instead of my neighbor's house. So, I am inspired by these little buggers, even on the coldest days, and try to find beauty in the midst of the Winter doldrums.