It might not look like it out there, with snow everywhere, but the birds must know something we don't. On Monday we were in the middle of a blizzard and these brave first arrivals were huddled at the feeders .... 3 purple finches and 2 juncos.
That storm has since passed and the weather is turning glorious. This morning I caught Xena and Yus BOTH chasing a pair of birds around the yard. I'd never seen these guys here before and was trying to take pictures of them. They even let me get fairly close, but I just couldn't get the shot. I got a really good look at them, though, and identified them in my bird book as "Crossbills". Cute little guys and kinda friendly, chattering away to me. This a picture I stole off the internet.
How do they eat with a beak like that?
So, I've been sending silent prayers to the birthday fairy, asking for a zoom-ier lens for my camera. I guess I never told you about my new camera, did I? We discovered that we had a zillion points on one of the credit cards .... enough to get this ....
So even though it wasn't really free, it seemed like it. I love it. It's quite a change from the little one I had. So many new features to learn. Also, it's a bit clunkier. Can't just slip it into my pocket while out and about. I have plans to make a case for it and while I'm in Vancouver I'll get the fabric and foam to make my very own custom bag (that's not a hint....I really DO want to make my own case). Currently, I pack it around in spare toque (nice and cushy) and put that inside a flap hat, tie the strings together for a handle and voila .... instant camera bag. I squish it all down so the camera's not sticking out. Certainly good enough for now.