The temperature was warm I should have been hiking today but I couldn't pull myself away from the window seat in my room.  One tray feeder with sunflower seeds is located right outside the window and six pine grosbeaks took turns feeding there all afternoon.  I had one evening grosbeak earlier in the month and have not seen him since.  Today was the first sighting this season for these beauties.  Their bright red feathers added some color to the backyard.

One of the females put on quite the show at the feeder.  She clung onto the rope and hung upside down to feed.  Her feet moved along the rope like a tightrope walker.  The other birds would land on top of the pole and fly down to the tray.  She preferred to perform for me.

The usual feathered friends tried to get to their tray feeder but had not luck.  There was not much room left for the chickadees when five grosbeaks were taking up space in it.

The deer are getting braver and are coming into the yard more often during daylight hours.  I tried an experiment today.  I wanted to see how close I could get.  They watched as I stepped out the door and onto the deck.  They watched as I came down the stairs and turned in their direction.  I managed to get halfway across the yard before they bolted into the trees.

I went out this evening to fill the grain dish one last time.  The wind was gusting and polishing up the icy patches on my driveway.  I heard the rustling of dried willow leaves on the tree next door.  

I'm watching the forecast for more snow.  There is not enough on the ground to go x-country skiing and my skis are collecting dust.