When I looked out the window early Christmas morning, I was delighted to see that it had snowed overnight; our first snowfall this winter. Â The fall had been so mild that I still had a few roses in the garden as well as some primulas that bloomed in early December. The climate along the north shore of Lake Ontario had seemed more like Kentucky the last 2 months. Now this was more like our past winters!
My next thought was about the birds that I’d been feeding. I was unsure if the snow would encourage or discourage the birds from coming to the feeders in my bird garden and to the new ones closer to the house. (I’d recently added these since the cats spend very little time outdoors during the winter months.)
I decided to put on my warm outdoor clothes, grab my camera and head out for some winter pictures of the snow and the birds. I certainly wasn’t disappointed!  The first thing I noticed when I got outside was a very loud tapping  and when I located its origin, was amazed to see a pileated woodpecker high in one of our old maples. I tried very hard to get a good photo but had trouble with branches blocking some of my view. I will still share it, as it was the best one I could get that day. A few moments later, I saw another woodpecker. I only knew what kind it was as a friend of mine had recently sent me a picture of one she had seen at a park in Toronto……a red breasted woodpecker. I’m watching each day now to hopefully get a photo of this lovely creature that is good enough to share! Over the next 2 hours, I took photos of gold finches, juncos, downy woodpeckers, nuthatches, cardinals, blue jays and the cutest birds that I’ve ever seen…….a flock of redpolls!  They were actually “piling” into my new concrete leaf flat feeder that is next to the house, fighting for a spot.  As well, they crowded onto the finch feeder which is located in the bird garden.  In my 2 hour photo shoot on Christmas morning, I probably got some of my best bird pictures ever. It was tricky at first since it was very dull and was also still lightly snowing. However, for the last half hour, the sun broke through giving some blue sky and better light for feather details. I hope you enjoy the photo gallery that I’m posting for you.
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- Pileated Woodpecker
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- Common Red Pole
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- Red Pole on the Wire (Looks like a Christmas Card)
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- Blue Jay at the Water Dish
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- Male Cardinal
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- Gold Finches and Redpolls at the Finch Feeder
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- This is where the Finches got their water
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- Blue Jay Eating Sunflower Seeds
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- Red Pole
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- Gold Finch with Blue Sky!
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- Gold Finch in the Grain Corn
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- Gold Finch on the Bean Trellis
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- Red Pole on the Grapevine
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- Downy Male Hangin’ On
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- Blue JayJunco
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- Junco During Take-Off
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- Pileated Woodpecker
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- A Pot of Finches and Redpolls
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- Waiting for the Birds to Land….for next year’s Christmas cards!
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- Redpoll overseeing the garden
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- Redpoll After the Sun Came Out
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- American Gold Finch
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- 11 Little Red Poles Sitting in the Feeder! One Flew Away….
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- Redpolls on Christmas Morn
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- A Red Squirrel eating the bird seed!
Jane Walker's Cards 
Great photos, Jane … truly amazing details! I wish I had had such a delightful Christmas gift/visit from your feathered friends. The squirrels have raided my new feeder several times, so I¹m only half-heartedly filling it with seeds. Instead, see my two messages to follow…
And the correct spelling for the cute little birds (loved the shot with them in the pot) is redpoll.
E.
On 12/29/12 10:27 PM, “Jane Walker’s Cards” wrote:
> janewalkerscards posted: “When I looked out the window early Christmas > morning, I was delighted to see that it had snowed overnight; our first > snowfall this winter. The fall had been so mild that I still had a few roses > in the garden as well as some primulas that bloomed in earl” >
I believe that I missed responding to your comments. The many feathered friends that came Christmas morning certainly were a gift! I haven’t seen so many since then and now with the warmer weather, most have disappeared. I am awaiting the snow and cold with hopes they will come back. Thank you for the correct spelling of redpoll!
Jane
Looks like “bird heaven” Jane !! Such a variety of beautiful birds
I have seen only one piliated woodpecker up near Minden in the woods – how magical to see such a magnificent bird !!!!
Hi Mary,
Yes it is a bit like “bird heaven” outside our place. Today we had many more visitors but I haven’ seen the pileated woodpecker since Christmas Day. Happy New Year!
Jane
great pics Jane, what a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours on Christmas morning…pattt
Hi Pat,
It sure was a nice way to spend the morning. Joe had to call me a few times to come in to open presents!
Jane
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These are such wonderful photos Jane, they are all so very beautiful ! You really excel in bird photography. I love them all but I really love the red pole on the wire and I am in love with the photo of the gold finch in the grain corn. The composition of this photo is superb, it’s an amazing shot !
Happy New Year Jane !
Thanks Jocelyn for your interest and your positive comments. I’m glad you liked the photos and those 2 in particular. I have to confess to an error! I spelled “redpoll” incorrectly…..it isn’t “red pole”! Happy New Year. I hope you have many opportunities to take photos this new year.
Jane
Hi Jane What beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing
Gloria
Glad you liked the bird pictures. It was a really special morning for me to see so many, especially the pileated woodpecker.
Jane