Icy Perch

One more snow day for us...

but the birds didn't let the ice and rain stop them from scavenging for food. We have thrown out tons of birdseed on top of the snow this weekend and even did the special treat of eggshells. It was a beautifully frosty morning for birdwatching. The photo of this female cardinal was actually taken through the window but still turned out very well, I thought.

Instead of composting our eggshells we rinse and drain them, place them on a baking sheet and dry in a 200 degree oven (does anyone know how to make the degree symbol with your keyboard?) for about 10 minutes. When they are finished you simply mash them into small pieces and put them out in a shallow dish or millworm feeder. This is a great treat to put out before spring nesting season. The shells help the mother bird replace the calcium lost during the last egg-laying season.