Great Blue Heron wading along College Creek
Have you ever wondered how the birds do it?
Sea gulls on a sand bar in the James River
How they stay out in the cold,
day after day after night,
and don’t freeze?
Canada Geese in Halfway Creek
How high must their metabolism burn?
What anti-freeze could possibly run through their wings and feet?
I wonder as I watch them
wade through icy water;
Sea gulls in a marsh by Jamestown Island
As they stand unruffled and unmoved in the winter wind.
Redtailed Hawk
Their eyes ever watchful for the next bite of food;
floating, flying, crawling, swimming, dangling, buried in mud;
Red Tailed Hawk
their patience unparalleled as they wait out winter,
finely tuned to survival.
What titanium will to greet yet another frost rimmed sunrise;
Ducks in College Creek
What optimism to date and mate in this frozen wintery world,
trusting spring will come before chicks hatch with hungry cries.
Red Winged Blackbirds
Gathering sociably on ice, wading through the frozen marsh,
clinging to the highest points of windswept trees,
their sharp taloned feet, covered in thick bird flesh scales,
Bald Eagle
immune to the cold. Gripping, balancing, grabbing;
an act of pure will.
Paddling, wading; webbed feet of
waterfowl immersed in frigid brine.
Sea gulls
How is it possible that human flesh,
so prone to frostbite,
could not last an hour; let alone a season?
Flock of Canada Geese flying in formation
A precious gift from Creator:
Anti-freeze feet.
Great Blue Heron
Photos and Words by Woodland Gnome 2014
Why Do Ducks Not Get Frostbite? (Arts and Crafts For Retirees)
Forest Garden 
I am always amazed by the birds, they bring much joy and wonder to me 🙂 Annie
We are always so pleased to see them- large or small. I hope the warm weather comes gradually, Annie, so all of that ice and snow melt gradually as well. 😉 WG
We have snow cover until spring, but usually have a few warm days in January 🙂
Lovely photos, I really like the red tailed hawk!
He was amazing! And right over my head carrying on with his companion while I was pruning a little shrub. They nest in our neighbor’s yard. Thanks, Michael-
WG
I have wondered how their little bodies cope in the cold! Beautiful images.
Thank you, Vanessa. It is a mystery. I love the joke in Fried Green Tomatoes about the flock of geese freezing in the ice overnight, and flying off in the morning carrying the pond. 😉 Best wishes, WG
LOL! Really enjoyed that movie. Always wanted to make the fried green tomatoes 😉
They are surprisingly delicious 😉
I have often wondered how they do it. Another beautiful post, WG, in words and images. 🙂
Thank you, Robin.
Just four words! Amazing!
Well a few more maybe, lol
Another wonderful,blog,
Amazingly,written,and amazingly beautiful photos, 🙂
I never vet tired of reading them,hope you don’t get tired of shareing them!
Have a wondrrful day! 🙂
Thank you, Marion. I’ll not get tired of taking the photos and writing at least until its warm enough to work in the garden again… Thank you for the kind words 😉 WG
You are welcome!
I know what you mean bout geting back in garden I am impaitently,waiting for that as well,lol
That is worth slowing down on other things for,lol
Have a great night ,stay well,safe and happy,WG, 🙂