Brrrrr! It's really winter!

Well, we got some snow last Monday and there is still some on the ground in the shadows. More could come tomorrow. All this means that the last of the migrants are coming down from the north. We've seen some Sandhill Cranes and Canada Geese this past week. I'm sure there are others but those are who we've seen. A couple days ago, I saw a Mourning Dove pecking around in the yard. It is unusual to see them in the winter. Wonder where this one is staying? Oh, I also saw a Goldfinch at the patio feeder area. They also usually disappear in the winter.

Our current visitors are : Juncos, Downey Woodpecker, Red-shafted Flicker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Robins. We always hope to see the return of past visitors like the Mountain Chickadee, Spotted Towhee, and other Woodpeckers. Of course, there are also the usual residents.

And the chickens, Mazey and Chicken Little, are still toughing it out. They roost in the wisteria vine at the front gate, even though it has no leaves for cover. We worry about them being exposed to the winds, rain, and snow, but they seem to be doing just fine there. Someday we will get them a hen house. We just don't know much about raising chickens who wander into the yard. They seem to be doing well, being fed cracked corn and digging around in the yard. We are happy to have them.

That's the latest from the high desert. Happy Holidays!