Two species with very large wing spans, Bald Eagle and White Pelican. I am shocked the pelicans are staying in this brutal cold when they could be lounging down on the Gulf of Mexico. Maybe they didn't make reservations in time. This section of the Des Moines River stays open most of the winter and attracts large numbers of eagles, geese and other fish eating birds.
Ice on the stream makes a delightful pattern.
Treasures I had found two months ago when I sat on this log in shorts.
The translucent colors found in some leaves almost reminded me of Tibetan Prayer flags.
A dragon perhaps, what do you see?
Two immature Bald Eagles sitting in the renewed snow. We got a good cover again, but it may melt off as most of the previous snow did.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
I enjoyed watching this chipmunk playing and eating in the fresh snow. It made me want to get out with my sled for a bit and make use of this nice powder. I sat and realized how cold it was in about twenty minutes and went home and fixed a pot of coffee. I decided to wait and see if anyone would call and ask me to join them, but with the intense cold many stayed indoors. I captioned the middle chipmunk picture for Facebook, "A time to feed the cold and hungry." I stay adamant with filling local food pantries to help those in need. As I write this I am waiting for the sun to warm it up a bit and I will be fishing for a few trout to eat for my dinner. It is a happy life for someone living out on the prairie. My thoughts of good health and happiness extends to all of you, carried on a gentle prairie breeze.