SNOW, AN INEVITABLE PART OF OUR NORTHERN WINTER CLIMATE FOR OUR WILDLIFE

Several days ago a morning fall of large snowflakes sent my birds into a flurry of feeding. They flitted about from feeder to feeder. Four Cardinal families were most present, shored up by Chickadees and the odd Sparrow. The Jays had gone, and the Juncos, obviously sated for the time. The Mourning Doves were nowhere to be seen. It was fun to watch the Cardinals fly about. They appeared to enjoy the snowflakes. I am at times on a late schedule, so no doubt there will be another round of feeding after the snow has ceased to fall.

I am opened in my Canadian Wildlife calendar to January and a napping Arctic Hare. He, or she is beautiful, and if he stays still he will be safe. He is adorably white with black tips to his ears. I am not fond of watching films about Wildlife in Africa because of its ``dog eat dog`` nature (unfortunate analogy because I like dogs). No doubt the Arctic Hare is caught up in similar circumstances, trying to outwit the Arctic Fox, also white, also camouflaged on the white snow. Just as the Polar Bear must catch and kill the Seal to live and feed their young. Nature, however, works itself out without our help--well, with some help from the Wildlife people trying to keep things on an even keel.

Oddly, without it snowing, the backyard birdfeeders are not so busy. The birds come from time to time, but it is not the hilarity of a ``snowing`` day. The day is dull, the snow promised--about four centimeters. I will take it, even if I must shovel, only to see my birds happy.

Do you have a similar experience with your birds?