Oh Baby.....It's Cold Out

Well those of you in the mid section of the U.S. know it is COLD outside.  Yesterday we woke to -11* and it made it's way to a high of 2*.
This morning it was -6* and it's going to "warm" up to the upper teens!!!!!  Snow coming tonight, then warming up to the upper 50's this weekend.
"Mother nature" is going through menopause I do believe.  This has been a crazy weather month for sure.  But IT IS winter!

I take good care of our pets, as I am sure you do as well.  People either bring them in, or have a nice warm place for them (garages, greenhouse, etc.).  My kitties have a nice warm heating mat under their beds in the greenhouse and they have a heater in there.  They also have a heated water bowl and they get plenty of food.

Remember whether it's pets or nature - it takes a lot more calories for them to stay warm.  They need lots of extra calories.
I have a heated birdbath and 3 heated bowls around the area.  Think about it - how much LIQUID water do you think nature can find in these frigid temps?  Not much.
I have seen more birds drinking at the birdbath in the past couple days than I have in months.  The water is above freezing, therefore probably warms their innards and  help them stay hydrated.
I have been watching sparrows, finches, cardinals, blue jays, starlings, doves, and even pigeons at the watering hole.  I even saw the woodpeckers there yesterday.

 This is from the recipe I listed on Tuesday - I made little balls for the squirrels.  They love them!!  It is so cute to watch them sit and hold them in their little paws and munch away!

 A single recipe makes 4 bird cakes as well - used plastic 'pans' I had kept.  They are a hit.  With the corn syrup and added nuts and oats (what I added) they get a lot of energy calories.
**When forming or pressing into pans - keep your hands wet - or the mixture sticks to them!!!

 This is through the window screen - sorry it's not as clear.  Squirrel getting a drink.  See the thermometer - it's ZERO - this was at 9:30 AM

                       Birdies getting a drink - They just keep taking turns.  It is so sweet.

I leave peanuts in the shell (I get at the feed store very cheaply) for the squirrels and the blue jays.  If I have stale bread this time of the year - it gets thrown out there.  Stale flake cereal, cookies (no chocolate), apple cores or peels, whatever you an give them - will get eaten.
Of course I put out finch seed and regular birdseed and sunflower seeds as well.
(Yeah, my yearly budget includes a lot of critter feed). LOL

Please don't forget about nature!  Do what you can.  I have a 'rock' that plugs in and can be used in a regular bird bath - keeps it thawed.  They are inexpensive.  I think the heated birdbath was about $19 and has lasted for years.

I have read a couple of stories of people saving birds that appeared to be froze - they took them into garage and warmed them - fed them - and gave them water.  They survived.  Water is essential to all life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is exceedingly hot in some places now and animals and birds aren't getting water for a completely different reason.  I suggest that if you live in those areas - leave water as well!

I just hate it that nature doesn't have many options.  People do - they can go places and know where to get food and drink.  Nature doesn't always have such options.
We need to be kind to all of God's creatures.

We take care of each other.  We tend our plants, so they will survive.  We need to take care of wildlife as well.  They give us such enjoyment.

                                                   Thank you for your assistance!!!