My is it windy!!

Yesterday, it was so cold in the morning that when I opened to door to the coop, noone wanted out. So weird. This is how they were - huddled in a group for warmth, with the friendliest (Rix, my favorite and most personal of pullets) looking straight up at me. A lot of the girls were still asleep too. It was cold enough that I saw my first "jackfrost" in 10 years. The funny part of the cold vs the chickens is that the only winner comes out to be the group of Wyandottes - Each morning, the only ones who seem to tolerate the cold, frost, and ice are the Wyandotte girls. They really don't mind it, and run and play wherever and whenever.



Today is a slightly different story - Instead of still, freezing air - It is gusty, windy air. There isn't as much frost around because of this, but it sure does keep the chickens in secure areas, such as underneath a fallen, cut down walnut tree, where the sun peaks in for about an hour, and the wind doesn't blow as hard. This is how Mila looked during a large gust. The rest of the girls went barreling in a stampede towards the coop just before this photo was taken,





Among the hectic wind that gusted above 20mph, bringing wind chills down to 20 degrees, there were two Bald Eagles courting and whistling above the flock. They certainly are not welcome here, but at least keep their distance. To most of America, Bald Eagles are considered elegant, beautiful, and endangered species. Here, they are common as a crow and a danger to the chickens, but still fun to photograph if close enough. ( not this time though )





In general, the days are cold. It is the 7th or so day now in a row that we have had nothing but hidden away sun, dry air, and lots and lots of frozen ground. brrr. Here's the chickens greeting me in the morning, as a lot: