February GBBD: Blooms and Birds

Just popping in to wish everyone a Happy Bloom Day!  

The paperwhite and hyacinth bulbs lie forgotten in the garage somewhere, but thanks to my daughter, I have a lovely bouquet of Valentine roses to bring some color to these gray February days.

While we have had a fairly mild winter, it certainly hasn't been as mild as last year when I had crocuses blooming in February.  We've been fortunate that the snowstorms have missed us each time, though the weatherman is warning us that we may finally get hit with some measurable snow next week. I'm not going to complain at all, but the lack of snow has had one unfortunate side effect--fewer birds at the feeders this winter.  This weekend is the Great Backyard Bird Count, and unless I bundle up and trek beyond my front yard, I'm not going to have much to report other than the usual flock of sparrows.

We have had one new visitor to the suet feeders near the living room window, however.  This tufted titmouse and its mate--I presume--have been frequent dinner guests.  Although several people have told me that they are common in our area, this is the first time I've seen one in our yard.

He's really quite a handsome little fellow--if only my windows were cleaner!--with his fashionable spiked hairdo and white beard. 

He's also quite inquisitive and much braver than other visitors, especially when we see what's behind those gray ears at the bottom of this photo . . .

. . . Apparently, Mr. Titmouse is smart enough to know that double-paned glass is an impenetrable shield protecting him from the likes of Widget and Tarzan.

Or from the whole clan, for that matter! (Front to Back) Toby, Tarzan, Widget, and Sasha have enjoyed many hours of Bird Television this winter thanks to Mr. T and his friends.  The only one missing from the photo is Sophie, who normally watches the same channel,  except that on this day all the best seats were taken!

I still have a few weeks of teaching to go; I'm enjoying it, but I'm also looking forward to getting back into the garden--spring, don't be late!  In the meantime, why not pop over to Carol's to see what's blooming all over the world on this Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.