Robins in January



   I know that in southern New Jersey, American Robins are year round residents but they do retreat to the woods and swampy areas in the winter. But today it was definitely a sign of spring when big flocks filled the yard. I find it strange though, that in the past few years the flocks of robins seem to hang with the flocks of European starlings. Just kind of funny how they stay in the trees and they gradually fly in to start their rummaging.  Dried oak leaves are flicked over to find tidbits of food.  Can't imagine that they find much nourishment.  Usually the robins will hit the holly tree and gobble up the red berries but today they left the holly alone. Can you see the robin hanging with the starlings in this tree?

Took a picture of the deer tracks at the side of my yard.  It is sort of like a deer highway.  There are herds of deer that live near the grassy fields of the high school near me.  There is a little patch of woods across from my house so they cross the street in front of my house.

It's a New Year, 2012!

      Temperatures were around 56 degrees on this first day of 2012.  With the economy in the tank I would guess that there are many out there thankful that heating oil isn't $5 a gallon and that we haven't had really cold temperatures so far.  Although we are facing the two coldest months I always try to remember that each day after the first day of winter we get a minute or so more of daylight.  My plants show an immediate response. I have begonias, impatiens and hibiscus blooming in my home. But I am not staying home today. When I get a chance to go to Atlantic City I go.
    With this weather one would have to take a walk on the boardwalk.  First we ran into two ladies from Binghamton, New York.  They had a roll from the casino buffet and started feeding the pigeons.  I like all kinds of birds but I do not know if I am as brave as this woman.  Check out the photos:

   

We met a lady from Yonkers, New York that had just walked in the ocean:

A man from Philadelphia that comes to feed the feral cats.  A good man I am sure but he didn't feel the draft on his behind:

   Then we saw a couple on the beach and the woman had a brilliant pink sari on. I took the picture from a distance but she was so pretty that I wanted to take a close-up. I asked permission and they both declined:

My hibiscus is blooming.