In contrast to this post’s photos, we have had bright sunshine these past two days, but along with it are below-freezing temperatures. I braved the cold yesterday morning at the Portage, but I decided to stay in today and keep an eye on the indoor and yard birds. That makes this post basically a tribute to last week’s gloom. Starting on November 25…

Periodically when I see Mallards in the river, one or both of them takes a short dive. They remind me that eventually we should see some actual diving ducks.

A couple distant European Starlings barely stood out from their perches.

I caught a brief glimpse of a Great Blue Heron flying off as someone coming down the hill behind the library flushed it.

At one point, I took a photo of the sun through the clouds.

An American Robin sat still.

As did a Dark-eyed Junco.

Then two Downy Woodpeckers were just far enough away from each other to focus on. They sat like that long enough for me to take too many versions of the same shot.

On November 27, the river was still.

An American Tree Sparrows was relatively easy to see.

A few Mallards were hanging around by the bridge.

I entered Riverside Lawn and found a Dark-eyed Junco sharing the trail with a female Northern Cardinal.

I wasn’t seeing much else and was on my way out. But then I stopped and turned around to look behind me. I saw a Bald Eagle perched across the river. It was a third-year bird, judging from its plumage.

Of course the moment I noticed it, the eagle decided to take off. But I was very happy to see it. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a Bald Eagle around here.

A busy White-breasted Nuthatch caught my attention after that.

On November 28, I took a few photos in the yard.

American Goldfinches are back.

The heated birdbaths are quite popular this time of year.

On November 29, I stopped by Riverside, but I didn’t get very far. I took a photo of one of the Canada Geese that likes to sit on top of the wall by the former Hofmann Dam.

Then I noticed a few Rock Pigeons and decided to concentrate on the white one.

There’s more from last week and yesterday, not to mention weeks before. I saw three flocks of Sandhill Cranes yesterday.

I was about to bake cookies yesterday when I realized the oven never came on. I will have to call a repairman in the morning. I have a lot of bread-baking to do this month! The stove still works. I made some grits for breakfast, but I’m otherwise not cooking anymore today. It’s been a lazy day and I have been wearing long underwear inside the house, so I can pop outside once more to change the water in the birdbaths before I come in to clean the living room. Winter is here.