Kinglet

Itsy bitsy, the Ruby crowned Kinglet is a regular cold weather visitor. The male has a touch of red on the crown of his head. This Kinglet is in the same live oak tree as the Hummingbird from yesterday ... you can see from the leaf size how tiny the Kinglet is.

Hesitant(?) Hummingbird

I have a Hummingbird hanging around. I was sure all my summer birds were gone, so I suspect she is passing through. Accounts of winter hummers in Manteo have been written.

Pied-billed Grebe

Too cute! This little one in winter dress is often seen diving along the causeway.

Oh, Canada!

The White Throated Sparrow is one of our early winter residents. He sings of his summer home in Canada.

Count your Blooms

This tropical Turk's Cap bush is loaded down with red flowers; little Spanish dancers on a green stage. A frost will kill it to the ground, so we feel lucky to have the blooms in late November. The plant will come back next year from the roots.
I read that it is also known as the sleeping hibiscus, as the flower petals do not open.

Eat your greens

A peek into one of my cold frames, full of a peppery mix of greens. These baby greens make a great salad or sandwich topping, a great fresh treat in the colder months.

Cactus bloom

Another dreary day. Let's brighten it up with a cactus bloom. I think the Christmas cactus bloom is just as pretty as an orchid .

Magnolia pod

I love the detail and the color in the magnolia pod.

Napping on the Currituck Sound

Two Ruddy's take a nap in the sun last November. The sound was soft and still just like the recent pre storm days. It will be hard to find a day like that from here on throughout the winter.

And the cormorant laughed

A small group of local mallards and a couple cormorants dress up a pier.

Song Sparrow Deux

Temperate weather: great for opening windows, getting that walk in, cleaning up from the storm and taking a little time to spot the birds.

Just Ducky

This pretty little Ruddy scoots along on quiet afternoon. You can spot her foot tucked up along her body.

Nor'easter on Currituck Sound

Most of the rain has passed, but the winds are still here and now they are truly nor'east. I took a quick walk out on the pier and it's rough. Here's a shot of the sound about 11 am looking south east and yes, that's a tough little Ruddy surfing the waves!

Just Yesterday on the Currituck Sound

It's blowing a gale today, white caps are rolling in from the east. But yesterday, it was so still you could hear the ocean. The sound and sky were washed in the same blue, going on forever. I had to steal a few moments of quiet watching.

Get out your Woolens

The swans have been coming through the past few days. I've seen large flocks and small family groups, and one warm night just heard their distinctive whoops as they flew over unseen. These are my favorites and I hope to get some nice photographs this year. But, do open your cedar chest. The swans usually beat the cold weather by a couple weeks.

Pearly Crescentspot

This female butterfly was spotted last week on one of our few sunny days.