A CRITTER NOTE--

In addition to keeping the bird feeders full another challenge of our arctic weather is drinking water for our feathered and furry friends.

I check the creeks daily and they are now mostly frozen, except, here and there, where the current is swiftest and some flowing riffles remain. The critter tracks around those openings are countless.

Recently I watched a constant stream of flight arrivals and departures from one of the openings—robins and chickadees and titmice; like a variety of Boeings around a busy airport.

They established holding patterns in the branches of the under-canopy, dropping to their final approach positions in the multi-flora bush that protects their liquid airport. Departing bird flights made room for other landings.

Further downstream a trail of critter tracks from the passing deer and rabbits left evidence of their use of the creek for a refueling oasis.

Somehow it is nice to be reminded they all can survive quite well without me.