Ice storm

We are half way to Spring (Groundhog's Day, Candlemass is tomorrow) and half way through an ice storm. NWS forecast ice at 0300; we woke at 0330 to pinging and rattling on the glass; forecast verified. What started as rain quickly turned to sleet. PSU closed till 1000 and all of the area schools took the whole day off. We have .5" accumulation of slippery, white stuff. It's falling as a mixture of very fine ice pellets or snow grains and rain. Temp is holding at 30 for most of the morning.

Birds and squirrels don't seem annoyed by the precip and could even be grateful for the handouts today.
A pair of Carolina Wrens (look waaaaaaaaaay down in the left bottom corner) snatched a dead moth on the deck behind the grill. One perched in the ladder out of the weather for a few seconds. Year birds for the Barony. Flickers attacked the ice in the flat stump feeder so the little birds could follow. Two pairs of cardinals, several blue jays, at least one redbellied and downy, innumerable mourning doves, juncos and goldfinches, lots of tree sparrows, titmouse, nuthatches, and chicadees (all the regulars) kept us entertained through the storm. Check the ice on the dove's tail. Many other birds had icy tails as well.

We see small branches scoured off after the big winds early this week but the Baron reported no new trees down after his walk yesterday.
I wonder when we should think about pulling the ground feeders because of the Great Bear Wake up Call.

A 2 hawk day

I watched a harrier soar at grass height over Ron's lower corn field. The bird was low enough that I could see the back and the white coverts rather than the belly, unusual to say the least. Definately saw the white rump. At first I assumed it was a redtail just by the numbers. She buzzed down field to the end then came back about half way as if she was looking between the rows. Way cool.
Later I saw a junco grab a sunflower seed from the box on the stump and dive under the Hardiplank pile at the trailhead. At first I thought it was a mouse. The Baron confirms he has seen the same action. It's a snuggly safe winter haven.
The Baron saw the Cooper's or Sharpie today around noon. It did the fighter jet simulation between the trees in front. He lost it in the trees before seeing the catch. It's a thrilling sight.