Who's Been Sleeping On Our Porch?

Yesterday it snowed all day. We wound up with about ten inches on top of a layer of ice. We didn't see the squirrels all day. I guess they stayed home in their snug little nests and played video games. The birds, on the other hand came by in large groups looking for food.

We put seed out several times during the day as it kept getting covered with fresh snow. All day we had bird visitors. At one time during the late afternoon we had six pairs of Cardinals eating peacefully together on the porch railing.

When I opened the blinds in the morning I noticed there were a number of doves sleeping on the chairs, on the dog bed and on the door mat. I'm sure the porch afforded them some shelter from the wind and being close to the house may have provided some heat.

The snow had drifted against the gate and it was impossible to open it. When we went to put out seed, we grabbed a rake to clear off part of the porch and deck.

Of course, my nosy buddies had to see what was going on and check out their surroundings.

First they had to see if the squirrels were on the deck.

No squirrels in sight, they came back to check out the porch.

Wow, this snow's a little deep here on the porch.

Somebody was here!

I wonder who it was!

They were up here, too.

I think there was more than one.

Maybe they're hiding back here.

Wow, look at that, you can see a lot of things from up here.

They're not here anymore.

How did they get up there?

 Let me see, too.

It's getting cold out here, Mom.

 Yum, this snow tastes pretty good.

 My feet are cold, can I go inside?

 Those sneaky squirrels and birds have some nerve sleeping on my porch.

 This is fun, can we stay out for a while?

The birds were back this morning and will probably sleep on the porch till the snow melts. My fearless hunters are still looking for them.