In The Cold Of Winter

Winter has arrived in earnest, shocking us with much snow and cold down to -18F (-28C), but the pigeons stayed indoors. They got plenty cold in there, but were protected from the wind and their water was heated so as not to freeze:

 One evening I went in to do the nightly chores and found them on the floor, flapping their wings excitedly. Were they playing? Were they happy to see me? Was this some pigeon behavior, understood only by other pigeons? I'm guessing it was latter:

Each evening I make sure their food and water dispensers are full, the water heater working properly, and that all 27 birds are alive, well and accounted for:

 The 11 bantam hens get the same treatment. They aren't into flapping their wings, but the four little Easter Eggers always peck frantically at my shoes when I go in. I haven't figured out that behavior either:

 I've had lots of snow to plow - and one day, I saw so much beauty along the road that I climbed down off the tractor and attempted to get some photos. First was this tiny nest. I suspect it was too big for hummingbirds, but perhaps Kinglets or some other very small bird:

 Even dead blades of grass along the brook had become beautiful in the snowy cold:

 And the cattails, partially blown apart and topped with snow looked like an artist had designed them:

 Scruffy, dead grass poked up through the snow and I thought it was magnificent:

 And just when I thought it couldn't become any lovelier, I saw these dried Queen Anne's lace flower heads and Wild Cucumber seed cases, frosted with snow:

 But it was cold, so Blue and Remy spent much more time in the barn. I threw bricks of hay down to them so they didn't have to compete with the cows outside:

 But they liked going outdoors and mingling with the cows, so they did it anyway:

 The outer layer of a hay bale peeled off when I was carrying it to the feeder, and the two little horses rushed over to eat some. Gracie stood perfectly still behind them, probably chewing her cud: