On the seventh day of December

Hmmm...well, the contents of the hummingbird feeder that I brought in last night leaked out into the bucket.  It would probably have stayed full if I had hung it from a chopstick placed across the top of the bucket. Anyway, that led me to quickly make more nectar and wait until it cooled down before rushing out into the cold morning to replace the feeder on the branch.  I also made enough for two extra batches and bottled them so I don't have to go through such a rigmarole each time!  Could have thought of that in the first place ~

The sunrise glancing off the snow-topped  mountain ~ peeking through a filigree of branches...

Happy to say that the Hummingbird feeder was busy all day ~ starting bright and early until it became dark around 4:30 p.m, when I couldn't see it any longer.

The drama today, however, involved the big guys who were vying for the sunflower and nut block!

Enter the Steller's Jay, our Provincial bird.

A Northern Flicker comes onto the scene

 

and peeks around the tree trunk

 

Face off

Somehow a starling finds its way into the mix ~ and feathers fly ~

 

Beautiful plumage ~

The Steller's Jay wonders if this is a possibility .... hmmm? 

Meanwhile, little Hummingbird sits in the sun for a long time on a nearby branch.  Do you think it's sticking its tongue out at the Jay, or warming it up after all the chilly drinks ;) ?

Cold temperatures tonight again, but the forecast is for slightly warmer and more usual temperatures for this time of year.

 

For those interested, I have been listening to this beautiful instrumental version (piano and cello) of O Come O Come Emmanuel.