Canatara Snow Life!

Carolina Wrens don't migrate. They are considered to be uncommon, but we regularly find them in our area. They enjoy foraging through leaf piles for insects so if you have the space in your yard, a leaf pile can shelter insects which in turn attract Carolina Wrens!

https://opticsmag.com/carolina-wren/

During stormy weather and grey skies, finding wildlife can be a challenge. It took some time to locate this Carolina Wren. I think they can "throw their voice" like a ventriloquist as I'm always looking high when I should be looking low, and vice versa! They like to move low through tangled vegetation.

Downy Woodpecker waiting for his turn to have a snack.

I love the fluffy head feathers on this male Downy Woodpecker!

Mourning Doves eat between 12 and 20 percent of their body weight each day. This averages to 71 calories daily. 

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mourning_Dove/overview

A pair of Tufted Titmice are regularly being seen in Canatara Park. Someone has been putting seed on a stump which has attracted several bird species. Like many of their relatives, Tufted Titmice hoard food in fall and winter. They will take advantage of a bird feeder's supply by storing many of the seeds they get. Usually the storage sites are within 130 feet of the feeder. The birds take only one seed per trip and usually shell the seeds before hiding them.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Tufted_Titmouse/overview

Black-capped Chickadees are one of the easiest birds to attract to feeders for suet, sunflower seeds and peanuts. They don't mind using tiny hanging feeders that swing in the wind and also readily visit window feeders. Every autumn, Black-capped Chickadees allow brain neurons containing old information to die, replacing them with new neurons so they can adapt to changes in their social flocks and environment, even with their tiny brains!

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-capped_Chickadee/overview

An Isabella Tiger Moth is the adult form of this Wooly Bear caterpillar. The temperature was 2 degrees Celsius and this fellow was wandering across the trail on the snowy surface as I entered Canatara Park. I carefully picked it up and put it by a tree where it was less likely to be stepped upon.