Visitors in the Storm

It's official.  We're having a blizzard.  You know the snow scene in The Nutcracker where the snow starts flitting down and builds until it's just dumping?  That's the stage we're at - the snow is just dumping down by the bucket load.  The horses are snug in their stalls, happily munching on extra rations. 

Mickey is enjoying a rare break.

It's tough being a ranch dog.

I'm having a break too.

I'm staring out the window, watching the birds.

It's the usual gathering -

mostly goldfinches and house finches,

a cold junco or two,

and somebody new!

It's a pair of pine grosbeaks!

That's the male at the top center of the feeder,

and the female is at the bottom.

The other little birds are goldfinches in their winter plumage.

I've never seen pine grosbeaks at the ranch before.

Now that they've found us, I hope they stick around.

And bring friends.