2009-03-24

jhetley: (Default)
2009-03-24 08:14 am

Still not spring

Overnight low 15 F, winds gusting to 36 mph.  Redpolls gusting to over 40 -- into the range where counting turns arbitrary.

Scattered snow in the air.

I swear, if Wife didn't get deathly seasick, we'd be considering one of those Carnival Cruise Line specials they've been waving around.
jhetley: (Default)
2009-03-24 04:07 pm

Notes on design

If you are designing a bird-feeder intended for redpolls, don't bother putting more than six perches on it.  Eight are a waste of effort.  Even six represents an unstable social system, with a half-life of seconds before the squabbles break out.

Goldfinches seem to be able to munch away on all eight thistle perches without warfare.
jhetley: (Default)
2009-03-24 07:18 pm

Crocus!

We have one (1) undeniable crocus flower in our side yard.  White.  Granted, the bulb has tucked itself* in tight against the foundation, where it gets benefit of both our furnace and the reflected heat of the sun, and the snow-bank starts about a foot away, but the flower HAS OPENED!

And shut again for the night, but it was there.  I saw it.  I even pointed it out to Wife, as a witness.

*What?  Your plants don't migrate?