February, the shortest month of the year has arrived. A lovely female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker showed up on Thursday, the first. I think it's the same bird that was seen in early December. The bird perched on several trees and I finally confirmed that its throat was white, a male's would be red. The sapsucker was another new bird for the year, #37.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker female 2-1-19

Wednesday's bitter cold gave way to 69 degrees on Sunday, a very welcome change, though short-lived. We were able to work outside, moving some branches to embellish a brush pile in back for added cover for the wrens and sparrows. We're not done with winter yet and this will provide some shelter. One of the Carolina Wrens has been checking it out.

Brush Pile 2-5-19

Last year, a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks were in the neighborhood and frequently seen in our yard. I took a series of the birds mating in March. The female was young and not in adult plumage yet. First-time nesters are not always successful and we never saw a nest with young. Here is that series:  Red-shouldered Hawks, mating
 

On Monday, my friend, Sue and I were enjoying a few minutes outside. One of the Red-shouldered Hawks flew in across the street to a pine tree and we were able to get good looks at it. Sue had seen one before, but not recently. We went inside and then saw the hawk's mate fly into the swampy thicket in back. We stepped outside again, with camera and binoculars, and the bird kept coming in closer, allowing for a wonderful study. This gorgeous bird was not bothered in the least by our presence on the deck, maybe 40 feet away. Of course, we didn't talk and stayed relatively still throughout the encounter so as not to disturb the bird. It was hunting for voles or perhaps earthworms for a meal.

Red-shouldered Hawk 2-4-19 Red-shouldered Hawk 2-4-19 Red-shouldered Hawk 2-4-19

Red-shouldered Hawk 2-4-19
Red-shouldered Hawk 2-4-19

Red-shouldered Hawks thrive in the same kind of wet bottomland or flooded deciduous habitat as Barred Owls, hunting by day while the owls hunt at night. They eat small mammals, lizards, snakes and amphibians. To hear the Red-shouldered Hawk sounds, open this page:  Red-shouldered Hawk calls

We also were watching and listening to the 13 Pine Siskins I had counted earlier in the morning. They like to perch in the Pond Cypress, the only one in the neighborhood, calling "zreeeeeet, zreeeeeet!". After Sue left, nine of the siskins got in the Bubbler to have a bath-fest. I don't think I've had that many in there together before! 

Pine Siskins-9 bathing 2-4-19

To hear the Pine Siskins:  Pine Siskin sounds

We've been hearing Barred Owls and one was fishing again in the pond a few nights ago.

Barred Owl fishing 2-3-19

That was a busy night! We also had a raccoon and an opossum climbing the small oak looking for bark butter to nibble on.

Raccoon after bark butter 2-3-19 Opossum after bark butter 2-3-19

The herd of deer were out and about on Monday, 2-4-19. The final count was six that night.

Five Deer at the Bubbler 2--4-19

We're getting weary of the drearies again! We've gotten over 3 inches of rain in the last two days. And the forecast calls for a drop into the teens tonight. At least all the precipitation is in the form of rain this time rather than snow and ice.

Here is one last image from Dan. It is a composite of his photos of January's "Super Blood Wolf Moon". It was quite an experience watching the moon together as it changed during its full eclipse. Breathtaking!

Super Blood Wolf Moon 1-20-19(C) Daniel Terpstra