Now we have 3 pairs of Wood Ducks coming to the feeders between our cabin and the Williamson River in the mornings. They were a little slow arriving this morning, probably due to the very stormy weather. Some say they are the most beautiful waterfowl in the world (although they have lots of beautiful competition): Wood Duck images. The females are protective earth-tones, and as many of such protectively colored birds, when you get very close you will see that they are marvelously and intricately marked and colored too.

Lots of wind whistling up the river; there's even whitecaps on the river. There's just a little snow in the air now but no accumulation yet at this elevation. We may get 5-8 inches says Weather.com. All the birds coming to the feeders are in storm mode, staying close, frequently dropping down to the feeders and filling up, then going back to the trees and saving energy.