Tundra Swans tend to be smaller than Trumpeter Swans. Another distinguishing feature is that yellow patch on their bill close to their eye.

 

Trumpeter Swans

 

Sometimes I wonder if Carolina Wrens ever regret their decision to spend the winter in Canada instead of going somewhere warmer. Like, say, Carolina.

 

A Mallard drake with a head that really can't be pinned down as simply 'green'. There's lots going on here with shades of grey, a variety of glossy greens, and even a hint of blue at the back. Sometimes, when the light hits right, you see more purple than anything.

 

An Eastern Screech Owl looking a bit like me before the first coffee of the day takes hold.

 

Northern Pintails are as much a treat to see in the air as they are in the water or on land.

 

A Northern Cardinal not letting a little thing like a blizzard mess up his good looks/hair.

 

An intimidating Tree Sparrow doing its best Hawk Owl impression. Probably PO'd that I wasn't slinging seed. Either that or the unpleasant weather was making him cranky. See the second photo for the Hawk Owl reference.

 

A Pileated Woodpecker female. Males have a red stripe in their cheek. The Pileated Woodpecker pecks holes so wide and deep they can cause small trees to break in half. It takes a big 'pecker to do that - these ones are 16 to 19 inches long. For comparison, the Downy Woodpecker measures about 6 inches.

 

A Canvasback doing his best wooing trick. This used to be my technique, too, until that thing with my neck flared up. Happy Valentines.❤️❤️❤️

 

A Northern Pintail hen under the watchful eye (literally) of her honey. Swipe for a couple of other views of her wonderful feather patterns.

 

My brown-eyed girl.

 

This Winter Wren was by far the peppiest thing I saw yesterday.

 

A drowsy Northern Saw-whet Owl doing some light maintenance/napping.

 

Had a nice escort along the trail from a couple of swans and their friends this afternoon.

 

A Northern Cardinal basking in the pre-storm glow.