As some of you might know, I’m not a big fan of winter. To say the least. I have to admit, though, that on days like today, when the sun is shining, the sky is blue, and everything is covered in a thick layer of snow, it’s quite beautiful. I just prefer to admire that beauty from the warmth of the sunroom, with the company of a cup of tea and a fireplace.
Having said that, today we bundled up and ventured out into the bitter cold to go Christmas carolling with donkeys. As you do. Sadly, the donkeys were not feeling festive enough to bray along with us. It was a fundraiser for the Primrose Donkey Sanctuary.
Meanwhile, Nick is adapting to Vancouver’s version of winter, which means often having to run and cycle in the rain. To be fair, they’ve been getting even more precipitation than usual lately.
Today, though, he and Megan are out skiing at Whistler with a group of friends. It’s still raining, but snowier up at the top of the mountain.
Other than singing with donkeys, Ray and I are keeping busy with our regular winter routines, with a few social gatherings thrown in, including our first games night of the year, and celebrating Rick’s 65th birthday.
For the Birders
While Nick was out for a run in Vancouver, he got this great shot of a bald eagle holding its lunch (a seagull by the look of it).
Yesterday morning, Ray noticed a pile of black feathers and blood just outside our back door, but there were no paw prints in the freshly-fallen snow. Then we noticed talon marks between the bird feeder and the back door. Something had swooped down, grabbed a bird off the feeder, and – after a brief tussle – taken it away for dinner.
Shortly after that, Ray spotted the culprit in a nearby tree, acting all nonchalant.
The feeder was very quiet for the rest of the day, which could mess with the Christmas backyard bird count. Birds seen: 1 starling, 1 Cooper’s Hawk.
I know I’ll hear from my sister if I don’t also include her raptor sighting.
Speaking of predators, Juno went sniffing around a culvert near the apple orchard the other day, and was caught off guard when she came across a coyote inside. Some snapping and snarling ensued before Ray called Juno off. Her recall was excellent! “Sorry bud, I’d love to stick around and settle this, but you heard him! Gotta run!” Ray said the coyote looked unhealthy so it was likely holed away because it was old and/or sick.
For the Readers
It’s time for my annual round-up of books I read this year. Surprisingly, I read less in retirement than I did when I was working.
I’m very stingy with my stars, so Fayne was my only 5-star read this year. It’s over 700 pages long, so it’s a hefty read, but maybe a good one for winter. If you’re looking for something a little lighter, My Friends, by Fredrik Backman probably gets four-and-a-half stars, and The Correspondent is my pick for our next book club meeting.
In my defense, it was the closest I’ve been to a bird that @#%@ big. And Harper didn’t seem the least bit interested in protecting me, so I figured if worst came to worst, I’d “throw Harper to the bird(s)”. As it turns out, we are both safe and sound at home.
Also, I’m not sure dad would approve of your bird murdering perch in the backyard. Just sayin’
It’s a bird feeder! Get it?
Great to hear all your donkey, birding, and Christmas season news. That sweet looking donkey doesn’t look happy about winter!
For goodness sakes, that’s me, Pamela, anonymous again!
Anonymous = Pamela