First Snow at the Feeder

 The seasons first accumulating snow passed through our area late this morning leaving slippery roads in its wake.  It wasn't much of a snow, maybe one-half inch at best but it sure did make travel treacherous for a little while.  While vehicle travel was impeded on the roadways, bird traffic really picked up at our feeders.

I took the opportunity to once again set up the pop-up blind near the feeders in my continuing quest for close-up bird shots.  A Dark-eyed Junco posed momentarily on a log no more than 10 feet from the front of the lens.

A White-throated Sparrow dutifully waits its turn at the hollow log feeder as chickadees, tufted titmice, white-breasted nuthatches and cardinals swarm about.

The blind is allowing me to get closer to the birds than was possible from an exposed position.  The birds certainly know that I am there as they watch me swing the camera and frequently make eye contact.  I believe that their greater level of trust is because with the blind enclosing me they perceive me as being restrained and less threatening.  I am enjoying shooting at the closer distances giving me an added level of sharpness and image detail not to mention the added protection from the winter winds.