Round...

Actually, our nuthatches are not birds you would commonly describe as "round" - not like, say, a chickadee.  But when they approach you head on with feathers fluffed against the cold, they look very round indeed.  White breasted nuthatches are a common species here and one I am likely to see just about any day of the year in our garden - which doesn't make them any less enjoyable to photograph.  

It is colder today and with some gusty winds so I Jax and I only went for a snort snifari walk at the park.  I put a sweater on him but I always worry about his ears when it's this cold - it is very easy for dogs to get frostbite on the ears, so owners need to be mindful.  I've thought about getting a snood for him but he really hates having anything on his head so I'm not at all convinced he'd go for a snood.  Anyway, in spite of it only being about a 20 minute walk, he enjoyed himself and sniffed everything along the route.  It's always interesting to watch his body language when he sniffs - clearly, some scents raise his threat level while others are just intriguing.  Now he is basking in front of the fire like a sleek brindle seal ... in a red sweater.

Several months ago I was contacted by Cornell Lab of Ornithology to use one of my images in their winter magazine.  The image they requested was one of my personal favorites of a pair of Cedar Waxwings in courtship display in our shadbush tree.  Anyway, I have not yet gotten the magazine, but the digital version has been out for about a week and I thought I'd share it here in case you'd like to see the photos, including mine.  Some of the photos are spectacular.  Anyway, the link is HERE and my image is in the "Double Vision" section.  And towards the end there is a photo of me hiding behind my lens...  I feel very honored to have been included in this!

xo
Debbi