This week’s theme is “Growth”. Although Jen’s lovely shot of spring makes me happy, real happiness at this time of year would be temperatures above zero degrees Fahrenheit, both the actual temperature and with wind chill! As I said to her, “Simple joys!” I think our furnace would rejoice as well.
A strange phenomenon is winter is the growth in the circumference of birds. As you can see, this fellow has puffed up much larger than his original self, just trying to keep warm. His expression says it all: “I’m SO ready for spring.” 🙂
This, that and the other thing 
What a charmer! Happy New Year!!
Thanks and same to you, Carol.
janet
Excellent choice, Janet. Just the pop of color needed on a grey day.
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I’m glad you enjoyed it, Allan. We’ve been having white days here, often with lots of sun but then the accompanying cold as well. I like winter, but I’d like it to warm up enough that I could go out for a good long walk. 🙂
Cabin fever already?
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I miss walking outside, but it’s just too cold. 😦
Best thing is to wait. Here’s to warmer days.
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Lovely bird. Great choice for the prompt. Happy New Year, Janet and Bill.
Thanks, Sandra, and the same to you and Neville.
Janet, our vortex of cold makes all the birds look as though their winter suits are double the usual.
And they look so cute, don’t they? 🙂
Our chickadees are as round as they are tall! So cute – little pufferbirds…
They are cute, that’s for sure. I wonder if they feel the cold. Who knows?
janet
😉
Randy
Yup.
janet
They are such hardy little birds. I wonder why it doesn’t head west? 😄. It does look cold there. Stay warm!
There are quite a few birds still around, Deborah. Even the geese no longer seem to go south, but eat around here. (I guess goose down works!) I’ve been giving them bread crumbs the last few days, but they apparently find enough to eat and somehow stay warm as well.
janet
He’s a cutie. I feel bad for the birds around here as we have this recod cold spell hanging around.
Hard to imagine that they could keep warm, isn’t it?
janet
I don’t know how they do it.
He’s a cutie!
He certainly is, Emma. 🙂
janet
I try to help stuff our little fat birdie guests here in NY state with enough to eat to keep them plump and warm, and enough water, replaced when it freezes, to let them have that as well. Best wishes to them and to all–
They can certainly use those wishes. I’d be replacing water every five minutes, I think, but that reminds me to go and put out some more breadcrumbs. I’m off. Thanks for the reminder.
janet
They’re so cute when they’re all puffed up 🙂 Here’s to warmer days for you soon!
Looks like it will warm up a bit this weekend and then next week, Madison, at least into the 20’s, which will be heavenly compared to what it is now. 🙂
janet
🙂 Hi Janet,
I had to look twice to see the little bird, it blended in so well with the leaves.
He’s so cute!
Have a very HAPPY week 🙂
I’m not sure what kind he is. Bill thinks he may be a goldfinch in out-of-season drab colors, but I don’t know for sure. But he is cute. 🙂
That is a wonderful shot, Janet. Clear, crisp, and the colors are great. 🙂
Thanks a lot, Judy. I’m glad I could do justice to the little guy. 🙂
I hope the little bird stays strong till spring. Happy New Year, Janet!
My, too, Anita. I’m putting out breadcrumbs whenever possible and the birds love them.
Beautiful!
I think once I’ve got my puffy coat and thick scarf on, I’m pretty well blown up, too. But, oh, this guy! 🙂
He just looks so put out that it’s funny. All the little birds are puffed up these days and nights!
janet
[…] This, that and the other thing Weekly Photo Challenge: Growth…pufferbelly […]
Lovely pic! He looks like taking a nap!
You never know with birds. 🙂
janet
Beautiful Janet! Yes it has been sooooo cold! I can hardly wait for it to warm up above zero. Happy New Year!
This morning there were about 20 birds sitting on the exposed bit of roof on our neighbor’s house. I imagine the black roofing was nice and warm.
Awww …. he looks so cold. Nature is amazing in the way they adjust to weather.
Lovely entry for the challenge, Janet.
Happy New Year 2018
Izzy 😎
Thanks, Izzy, and a happy 2018 to you and yours as well. 🙂
He’s lovely 🙂 🙂
He really is. Thanks, Jo.
janet
He does look so cold, poor little fellow. Here’s hoping spring is not too far away
If we can survive until Sunday, the temperatures are supposed to be just reaching 30 F and even flirting with low 40’s for a couple of days mid-week before more seasonal 20’s. Right now, 20 sounds like a heat wave! 🙂
janet
And our temps are going up to mid 30’sC. Our beach is sooo crowded, no parking as people all come here for their holidays and days out. It is a very popular beach
Fluffing feathers is one of many adaptations birds have to stay warm on chilly -https://justanothernatureenthusiast.org/2014/12/28/weekly-photo-challenge-warmth-coping-like-a-bird/
It is and makes them pretty cute. 🙂
janet