The feeding station on my deck was a busy place yesterday morning.  In a half hour period I saw a male hairy woodpecker, a magpie, a white-breasted nuthatch, a blue jay and a number of black-capped chickadees.  

The deck feeder was not the only one that was action packed.  The evening grosbeaks were back.  There were not as many as the previous visit but it was exciting to see their bright yellow color interspersed with the pine grosbeaks that

are here daily.  While they waited their turn at the tray, both species sat patiently in a nearby tree, singing their beautiful songs.

The birds appear to be enjoying the mild weather.  It's a good thing that there is a flurry of feathered activity in the backyard for me to watch because the odds of getting out on my skis again is slim to none unless there is a good dump of snow.  The trails are like an ice rink where the packed snow still exists.  Many sections have grass showing through.  

If I can't get out to ski, I hope that the outdoor rinks will freeze up so I don't have to put my skates into retirement for the season.  Am I whining?  Yes I am.