Common Redpoll

This is a male Common Redpoll,

a small songbird from the finch family

The males have a pale red vest on the chest and upper flanks.  Although Redpolls travel in flocks, this little fella was the only one to be seen.  He stayed around all day and hung out with the chickadees!!  Maybe I will see him again tomorrow....

Aside from playing with his new feathered friend,
this chickadee also found amusement in his own shadow....

Did you know:

Some Common Redpolls make little tunnels in the snow to stay warm during the night.  The tunnels can be up to a foot long and 4 inches deep under the insulating snow!!

This post is dedicated to my friend Nancy :-)

Happy Squirrel

This little fella was not bothered by my presence, but only interested in a good meal.  Today's menu consisted of seeds from this spruce tree cone.  They are always in search of nuts too and will eat just about anything in a backyard bird feeder.  Sunflower seeds and peanuts are a couple of favorites with our Northern Red Squirrels.  Sharing them with the backyard birds can be a challenge though.  I guess that is why they are known to most as pests.  You must admit, this little squirrel wins "The Cutest Pest Ever" award!

Out on a Limb !!

This little Red Squirrel ''went out on a limb" for me today.... literally!!!!  He could have made a jump for it, but, he chose to stick around so I could capture a pose or two !!

He sure was curious.... 

Did you know that squirrels have four front teeth that never stop growing?....Northern Red Squirrels eat seeds, roots, tree sap, and insects....In the wintertime, some Red Squirrels hibernate in little tunnels or burrowing holes....That's not the case here; we have lots of visitors feeding on our homemade suet trays that are filled with lots of peanut butter, raisins, nuts and seeds to keep their cheeks pudgy and their bellys full and warm during the long winter months!! Speaking of which....