One last taste of the Arctic blast

I couldn’t believe my luck when I saw clear skies at dawn again this morning. The air was a little cooler than yesterday, but the winds were also a little lighter, which makes it all the better. Along the river and away from the rapids I could hear a pin drop, or better yet, a blue jay calling in the distance. I am sure that many of you who are enjoying this weather with me can’t wait for the thaw to come, but I sure have been relishing this little slice of winter weather while it lasts.

One of the goldeneye pairs was still on the river today, but they were too busy foraging for snails on the bottom to pose for a picture, so here’s one more from yesterday instead.

There were also still plenty of common mergansers around, and here’s a drake just above the falls that caught the sunlight just right to show off the iridescent green his head feathers can produce. You may recall that in most recent pictures, their heads have looked jet-black.

The owls were both in this morning, but this one was willing to let us have a peak as the morning sun really brought out the color in its plumage.

There have been a ton of dark-eyed juncos around, but this morning I finally spotted one of the Oregon variety, with a nice brown back and sides, and which we don’t get to see too often here.

For contrast, here’s a “slate-colored” variety that was foraging with it, and that we usually see. Despite my best efforts, however, I couldn’t get either of the little stinkers to look my way.