Today, I am once again joining Susan, A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday along with 50+ other bloggers. This morning I woke up to the full moon setting with brillant moon dogs.
The reason they were visible today was because of ice crystals in our cold air. While others are showing beautiful spring photos this March 11th, I'll start with my morning temp and forecast for today.-4°Overcast
Wind: NW 23 mph | Humidity: 78% | Dew Point: -9 | Visibility: 7.0 mile | Barometer: 30.39 | Windchill -29
A Wind Chill Advisory remains in effect until 1 PM CDT this
afternoon.
Arctic air combined with brisk northwest winds will cause wind
chill readings between 25 below and 35 below into early this
afternoon.
A Wind Chill Advisory means that very cold air and strong winds
will combine to generate low wind chills. This will result in
frost bite and lead to hypothermia if precautions are not taken.
If you must venture outdoors... make sure you wear a hat and
gloves.
Yes, that is right...it does say the windchills are 29 degrees below zero so as usual all of my photos today are taken through the windows. As it begin to get light out the first bird I noticed at the feeders was this little downy.
He was all puffed up for warmth and covered in ice crystals.
The garden is covered in a fresh coating of white...
and this shot of my garden flag gives you an idea of how windy it is.
As the sun begin to rise, I realized this is really an extra special day. Not only did I get to see the moon dogs but the cold temps also brought out the sun dogs. 
Because I wasn't about to go outside my view is obstructed but one of them was clearly visible.
Did you notice that even though we have several inches of fresh snow the fields are bare? With all the wind we had in the blizzard last night, it blew away. Speaking of last night, as the wind howled outside the windows and doors became snow covered and...
we sat in the dark with no electricity! Thankfully, we have a gas fireplace for backup heat and we played gin rummy by the light of the lamp for 3 hours. At 11 pm we went to bed and when I woke at 2:30 am the power was back on.
Oops, this is Outdoor Wednesday so back outside. This is a shot of a bluejay in yesterday's snow...
and I love this pose!
Johnny also made an appearance as he filled up on corn before the storm.
The 40 degree temps predicted to arrive this weekend are going to feel like a heat wave after today ;)Thank you Susan for hosting another fun Outdoor Wednesday!
40 comments:
Happy Outdoor Wednesday Marsha! I always love to visit your blog... always have GORGEOUS photos! I learned something new today..sun dogs and moon dogs...and who says you can't tech an OLD dog new tricks (haha). Beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing your photos. Hoping you see signs of Spring soon!
Susan
It looks like the wind is so strong the Blue Jay is getting blown away.
BRRRR!!!
It's 1045AM and we're still sitting at minus 2 degrees here in New Hope. My feeders are PACKED and our leakiest windows in the house are frozen shut. Glad you got your power back on.
Poor frozen birds. I love that Blue Jay in flight! Or is he just hurling himself to the next stop?
Wow, what a difference from where you are and where I am (in San Diego, CA)! But your photos are fantastic, especially the cottage blanketed in snow. It's postcard perfect!
-marie
Great Outdoor Wednesday for photos ... not so great in your area for the humans and birds.
I love learning new things and had never heard of moon dogs or sun dogs.
The little downy is adorable, but he MUST be very cold.
The blue jay pic is very, very cool.
Marsha, I hope you winter is over soon.
I would say you took that snow storm and all the lemons it brought you and made it into a sweet and wonderful lemonade!! I loved your post..and that pose of the jay made me laugh..great capture!
Wish I had a "johnny" pheasant that visited my backyard...and I so wanted to help that little downy stay warm..what a face he gave you.
Hope you stay warm and dry today...more gin rummy maybe? :)
Really neat post with wonderful pics. And... how is it I've lived in Minnesota all my life, am a very early riser and have never heard of nor seen a MOON DOG? He says shaking his head in wonder.
Just beautiful. What kind of lens are you using for the bird photos?
I love your photos, they are beautiful. But they are making me cold, especially looking at the poor little birdie. :)
OH the poor lil frozen birds :( Your pictures are amazing! I love the first one the most! Happy OW!
Oh the weather outside is frightful BUT the birds are so delightful.
Blessings,Ruth
Marsha, I cannot believe it's still so cold where you are. It may be cold, but it's GORGEOUS! And those birds are SO precious! Thanks for sharing these shots with us, and I hope you get to play in your precious garden house soon.
Happy OW!
XO,
Sheila :-)
I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks because I didn't know what moon and sun dogs were. tee hee. Passion shows in your photography. Each photo I was saying wowza.
Happy Outdoor Wednesday!
Joyce
Oh no, no, no! That's SO cold. Beautiful birds in the snow.
Hi...this is my first visit & I've really enjoyed it...your photography skills are excellent...
I just want to hold some of those little birdies... ;-) Bo
ooooo marscha, your pictures are absolutely stunning...I love the way you photgraphed the little bird!! And also the moon...and the snow...I love all of it!!
Thank you everyone for the wonderful comments. Before the storm began in full force yesterday I filled the feeders and set out peanuts for the bluejays. Then as the snow fell I sat by the window trying to capture some inflight shots. Most were misses with just partial birds in my frame but I sure loved the one of him jumping from one branch to the next. The best thing about digital camera is I can take 50 photos and only save two :-)
Melissa, I use a 70-300mm lens to get the closeup bird photos.
Well, I knew about sun dogs but not moon dogs..Thanks for the lesson!
The blue jay photos are so perfect..and that little downy looks so cold!
It's always fun to see Johnny too...
You HAVE to have the cleanest windows in Minnesota!!
That was a great post!
I didn't know about moon dogs or sun dogs either..
Wonderful pics...Love your little cabin..time for flowers...enough snow!
I love the blue jay photos...they are great. It looks cold there too!
Hi Marsha,
I am so glad you came by to visit so I could find your lovely blog! I'm in the same boat as you for weather. I have to say your pics are absolutely stunning, I called my hubby over to look. I added on to your blog list, please come back for a visit. Cindy
Wonderful photos, as usual, Marsha! I have never seen a moon dog or a sun dog in person! The wind was fierce here also last night and very cold. I'm glad you were able to stay warm and busy with a good card game last night.
I love your pics of the Blue Jay!
That bluejay is oh-so-cute! Great choice of photos for today. Thanks for sharing!
Have a great Wednesday!
Hi Marsha,
What a beautiful blog you have! I can't even imagine that sort of weather. I turned our air-conditioning on at the end of February. And I am unfamiliar with moon and sun dogs. Amazing. Thanks for sharing.
All the best, Lana @ Showers of Blessings
Loving your bird photos. Thanks for sharing.
Laura
Loving your bird photos. Thanks for sharing.
Laura
Oh, Marsha, I would just die there. I know you must be so ready to be done with the cold and snow. Hope that happens soon. Wow, you still tak the most fabulous photos, even through windows. They're all fantastic!
i always learn from your blog...nice!!!
Very neat post Marsha! I have actually seen a sun dog too! Before I ever knew what it was. Amazing your snow blew away. I just love the "birds" covered in snow in front of the cabin :-)
Once again you take my breath away with your awesome photo's!!
I can hardly imagine snow, with the sun and flowers we are having!!!
But it's so very beautiful!!
Love and Hugs
Wanda
Yu must have waken very early to take those pictures.
Awwww I feel sad for those birdies covered on snow. :-(
Oh my... that poor Downy! I do hope the 40 degree heat wave comes soon. Brrrrr.... I am cold just reading your post! So glad your power came back on Marsha. Stay warm!
Moondogs AND Sundogs! Wow! Great post today!
So, do you really want to know that we have been in the 80's all week? You shots are beautiful, here's praying warmer weather for your area.
Gorgeous photos :D
OMGosh! It just looks soooo cold there and I want to pick up your little downy and warm him up in my hands and maybe give him a little hot chocolate...Poor little fella.. Your photos are wonderful. Gives us all an idea of 'spring' in your corner of the world. Just makes me shiver.
Marsha,
I can't believe how cold it is by you! Everything seems to have ice crystals. The precious birds look happy but cold too! Your photos by the way are outstanding. You are a trooper to get up so early to catch all this beauty on your camera!
Love your garden shed and can't wait to see what you have in store for us this summer!
Happy OW! :-)
xoxo
Jane
It almost looks as if the Blue Jay is auditioning for a stunt job, great shot! The shot of the gin rummy by lamplight I especially like you've captured the mood brilliantly
What a great post! I'm really enjoying your Outdoor Wednesday, and I love your indoors by the fire, too! I love your posts, Marsha! Glad you got your electric back!
Thank you everyone for your kind comments. Hopefully next Wednesday will be much better. The snow is melting daily.
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