Wintry Hints

Hard freezes have descended on the Mid-Atlantic region,greeting motorists with frosty windshields in the morning.It was below 0 Celsius in some locations.The winter ahead is predicted to be average for the region,which will seem mild after last winter's multiple blizzards.
Snowbirds were seen at feeders this morning,and some human snowbirds are already making their annual migration to Florida from Canada and New England.The cheaper sacks of birdseed are stacked at the store for today's budget-conscious shoppers.

Snowbirds Return

The snowbirds,the northern juncos,arrived about a week ago.They will stay in their Mid-Atlantic wintering grounds till May.At higher elevations,they may stay year-round.With all the wet conditions we've been having,the winter could be a snowy and icy one for these cool-weather birds,if the weather pattern persists.It is said we haven't had a big winter since 1996.That means there are a lot of drivers who don't know how to handle one-not to mention homeowners who may have feet of snow,instead of inches,to contend with.