Oh, the weather outside is snowy, and the ducks are oh so hungry. And since we’ve no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Snowy duck.

Breakfast was served on a blanket of white, which the ducks didn’t seem to mind. Today brought a record number of beaks to feed. I’m not sure where they’ve all been but the word definitely got out about where to go for a snowy meal.

My flock.

Breakfast is served.

Sharing a piece of bread.

Would you like some snow with that bread?

Heading back to the water to get warm.

I thought Hobby was back with us but Chris insists we have a new, one-legged duck. “Look at him, he’s as unsteady as s – – t.” Sure enough, the Concord River produced another one-legged duck. Hobby didn’t have a right leg, which this duck clearly has. Somewhere in the river there must be a carp with a collection of Mallard legs. The good news is that Hobby was in today’s snowy flock, along with Hobby 2. Good times!

Hobby 2

The snow is also keeping the feeders busy. One of the friendliest songbirds is the black-capped chickadee. Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand with room left over for a cup of coffee, a chickadee survives by eating enough Calories throughout the day to keep itself alive for just one cold night. The next day, it’s back to the feeders to load up for next night. Kind of like living paycheck to paycheck.

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As winter approaches, it is bringing new wonders to the Concord River and I am blessed to be here to view them all. In the words of Henry David Thoreau, “I have a room all to myself; it is nature.”[Journal, 3 January 1853]. Blessed be and happy birthday to me. :]

My snowy river.