Puffed Birds

Over the weekend our normal subtropical bliss was interrupted by a spell of "winter." I won't beg for sympathy, being an old New England boy, but I can elicit agreement that 40-45 degrees is no reasonable midday temperature for the Carolina Piedmont in the first week of November. The birds definitely concurred, for many of them were puffed up to conserve heat. What a hoot to see the Carolina Wrens nearly as wide as they are long (this photo does not quite do it justice,) not to mention the many other species hit by the sudden unappealing cold snap (and Saturday's cold rain, too.) As usual, the extra layers of air were supplemented by my extensive spread of high-energy foods. I expect not to see the puffball thing again for some weeks--but it was fun to watch.