Snow began falling overnight on October 26.  By the end of the day on the 27th, there was 3 inches on the deck.  The tree and shrub branches were bending to the ground under the weight of the wet, sticky snow.  

The birds were having a feeding frenzy.  Blue jays, chickadees, downy woodpeckers, hairy woodpeckers, pileated woodpeckers and nuthatches took turns at all the stations.

The temperature has been above zero and has melted about half the white blanket in my yard.  I was excited to watch the flakes falling and it was very disappointing that they were melting.  Since I have lived at this location, there have been three years where there was no snow on the ground at Christmas.  I hope that is not the case this year.

The white tail deer have been visiting everyday.  As long as there is feed in their dish, they leave my trees and shrubs alone.  They are so much fun to watch.  Each has their own mannerisms.  There are two out of the seven that don't like each other.  They end up having a little tussle in the backyard quite frequently.

I drove by a local pond and the three swans that I saw last week are still there; swimming in that watering hole.  They don't appear to be in a hurry to leave.  Flocks of cranes and geese have been flying overhead.  The days are getting cooler and the snow is bound to stay soon.  For me, that day cannot come soon enough.