Birds coming to the feeders are not nearly as plentiful as in past years. One birdwatcher was visited by only a few Pine Grosbeaks. These birds usually visit in flocks and are seen often throughout the winter. This is true of many birds.
A flock of unidentified birds have been visiting bird feeders. They are dark, nearly black, and are larger than chickadees. I have not seen them at my feeders.
A few flickers have been seen. Normally they do not spend the winter here. We have been enjoying seeing woodpeckers.
Linda and Bill McGilvery spent Christmas with Linda's sister and her husband, Hazel and Ron McCormick, out of Lloydminster. Hazel and Ron had all their family home. Soon after Christmas and the New Year, on Jan. 7, Hazel and Ron left for their winter home in Yuma, Ariz. They are both avid golfers, so we can think of them on the golf course as we shovel the many inches of snow that have fallen in the last few days.
Florence Pike enjoyed a visit with most of her family over Christmas. Christmas breakfast was spent with Terry and René, who had their whole family home.
Christmas supper was enjoyed with her daughter, Karen, and husband, Rick Johnston, who had all their family home. Wayne and Jane Pike and their whole family of Meadow Lake were also guests of Karen and Rick.
Curling rinks are busy these days. Kara Newsted, Florence Pike's granddaughter, is an ardent curler. She is a member of the team who were runners up in the Northern Alberta Ladies' Curling Bonspiel.
Gully Gus says, "A tax collector has what it takes to take what you've got."
