Swarm

This is what happens when you feed the gulls!  

 

Ruddy

A pair of ruddy ducks made a trail across the lake.

 

Heron nest

 

We counted 8 herons around the lake, and then looked up.  This one was guarding the nest.

The Eagles are back

Their old nest collapsed, but they found a new tree and rebuilt.  We saw them both flying and then one by one they settled into the nest.  The last one in had a fish in its talons.  Feeding babies maybe?

 

On Thin Ice

Five days after our recent snow, after a string of cold days and nights there's still a skim of ice on the lake.  Enough for a gull to stand on.  I think it's too thin for anything else.

 

Winter Dogwood

The twigs of the dogwood were encased in ice.  The little knobs are the buds for next spring.  Hopefully they'll recover.

 

Icy

It looks like a wedding cake, but it's just a bird feeder after the snow.

 

Finally snow

There wasn't much snow, but it was enough to tangle traffic and cancel events.  It is North Carolina and no one knows what to do with that white stuff.

 

Kinglet

A little ruby crowned kinglet bopped around in the bushes.  

 

Across the lake

The clouds looked like smoke signals across the lake.

 

Fishing on the Neuse

I've never seen anyone catch anything, but it doesn't stop them from trying.  

 

Buttercup

In the midst of chilly winter, a little buttercup popped up.

 

Guards

These cormorants were seriously guarding their pilon. 

 

Gold

A lady goldfinch hopped around in the twigs.  Her bright colored husband was no where to be seen.

 

Clouds collect

The weather has finally turned to winter.  Clouds gather and the temps are chilly.

 

Feather

The wind pushed this contrail into a feathery cloud.

 

Theme Day: Picture of the year

Going through all the pictures I posted this year, this one was not the brightest or most colorful.  But I liked the mystery.