Clara's Beauties

Today is the annual Christmas Bird Count, and our backyard is once again on the list of spots to visit. The cardinals were here briefly in early November, but have not made their return to stay as yet. It's normally about Christmas when that happens, so it could be any time. Last year they came on the actual day of the bird count - how did they know? Yesterday's snow should make the feeders busy today.
When the representative called yesterday she mentioned that Baltimore Orioles have been spotted in Amherst, which is very unusual. I am hopeful that we will get to see one at our feeders. P.E.I. is also reporting new feathered residents: Snowy Owls. This makes for great opportunities for birders in our area to see species not normally spotted here.

In the mail this morning are pictures of two Maritime Beauties stitched by Clara from Fredericton, New Brunswick. Clara travelled down in October to attend a workshop held during FibreFest. This top one is made from a colourful assortment of batiks:
The colour choice in this one really makes the spikes spin around the perimeter. Beautiful work, Clara; we thank you for sharing.

And a P.S. on the bird count: we received a call that the cardinals were spotted in our back yard. Yah!