Snow goes February

I'm really not sure where this month of February (the coldest ever in this area, at least since they started keeping records) disappeared to, but it ended much like it has been, with yet another snowfall....

fortunately, this was just a dusting, enough to make everything look pretty.

at least the wind had died today and there were actually a lot of birds, House Finch, Purple Finch, Red-wing Blackbirds, Song Sparrows  etc. etc.  None of them cooperating for photos!

In early afternoon....

we drove over to Harrison Bay.  A flock of about 50 Trumpeter Swans in the field, notice the young ones (on right) are now 'patchy' as they are molting out of their gray plumage to their adult white.

I'm really not sure how many Canada Geese were in the area, between those in the fields...

in flight....

and out on the water.

Not a lot of small birds around.....but it was a beautiful day for a walk....

a flock of American Wigeon flew over and landed on the river, and notice the 3 Double crested Cormorant on the pilings in the background.

this Northern Pintail drake was all by itself on our side of the river, there were more on the other side.

a few Common Merganser, this female posed on a log.

this is one of 2 Great Blue Heron....

and lets end February, the way we ended January, with Pussy Willows.  Let's hope these ones really are a sign of spring.  

Oh and one more thing....

had this visitor at the feeder.  A female Evening Grosbeak.  First one I've seen in probably 8 or 9 months.  Lets hope birds are on the move, after all on the last day of February other years we've seen things like the first Yellow-rump Warbler and even the first Tree Swallow of the season.  Think it will be a while before we can expect to see any of those species yet this year.