Day 13 Welcome to Winter

15 December 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

I had intended to stay in bed all of Sunday, but that didn’t happen. This cold still lingers, perhaps worse than Saturday, but I was tired of being inside and needed the fresh air. We got dressed, including that amazing Swedish faux-fur bomber cap (it really is a game changer), and took Toby outside. The City had cleared all of the walkways, which was very nice, but it also revealed some ice patches underneath – not so lovely. Toby enjoyed it, regardless. The temperature will rise to -11 tonight, and we will go out again if the winds are not too intense. I tell myself that the fresh air is the best thing I can do for myself right now!

Toby is celebrating Pawholidays. He hopes that no matter what holiday you are celebrating, you are safe and joyful among friends and family.

I know that many of you have loved ones who are sick and in the hospital, or that you are struggling with an illness, or your partner is having chemotherapy treatments. This can be the worst time of year, because no matter which holiday it is, it remains truly stressful. Please know that you are in our hearts, and we are sending the warmest thoughts your way.

Thank you again for your kind messages. I am so glad you are still enjoying Heidi’s montage and our family photos at the park. As I mentioned, we haven’t had pictures taken in years. Our son has been playing around with old images of him and his grandfather fishing – animating them – and it made me realise how important these photos become in years to come. So, in that spirit, I am making a book with the better images of us at the park, along with all the cats, Toby, and the garden animals for Don’s holiday gift. He sometimes does not know who I am so hopefully he can see us together and it will help him figure it out! Hopefully, Elysha’s children will love nature, and maybe our lives can make that a reality.

Good news in the garden today! There is a wonderful young woman in Japan, and her mother, and they love Dyson. I had not seen Dyson for a few weeks, and I began to fear the worst, and then there she was this morning at the feeder, holding off Mr Crow. Talk about a happy moment!

Mr Crow tries to get a peanut. Dyson is eating, not caching, so she is taking her time as she should – she is truly the matriarch of the garden. (The sound is the gas furnace heating the conservatory. I am filming them through the conservatory window, which works like a hide.

Diamond and Gimbir have produced a really healthy giant female falcon! Please send good wishes so that there is excellent weather the week that Girri fledges – and it could happen at any moment!

Girri has only a few dandelions left. She is beautiful and inquisitive and looking at that big world that will be hers very, very soon – perhaps even today.

Gimbir might have really wanted some of that Galah for his breakfast but he delivered it to his daughter Girri.

Girri needed Diamond to help her unzip that bird! ‘Please Mamma, please’.

All three were in the scrape with Girri wanting breakfast. Wonder if Diamond wanted that Galah, too. She left with it leaving Girrir wondering if Mum would return and feed her?!

Gimbir is grown. She is ready to ly and she doesn’t not know it yet but any second she might. What a joy to see a strong, large female in this scrape besides Diamond.

We have planted Oak and Black Walnut trees in our garden for the animals that will live here in future decades. The individuals who turned fields into a thriving woodland invested two decades of their time and insight, demonstrating that we can make a difference. Ignore the news. Take care of what is around you – and don’t let anyone get in the way.

Country diary: Twenty years ago this thriving woodland didn’t even exist | Phil Gates https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/12/country-diary-twenty-years-ago-this-thriving-woodland-didnt-even-exist?CMP=share_btn_url

There is other good news coming from New Zealand. Will the Kakapo have the best breeding season ever? https://youtu.be/VOtTt5vaE4A?

Akecheta has been keeping a close eye on the territory. The third adult eagle was still near the West End nest on Sunday.

Some beautiful images of the Trempeauleau Bald Eagle nest in Wisconsin.

SW Florida, home to M15 and F23: These two eggs are what it is all about. Pip should be this week.

Meanwhile, Gabby and Beau continue to take turns incubating their two eggs at NE Florida.

Incubation continues at the East Texas Bald Eagle nest. What a beautiful day. It is so nice to see green grass even on a screen!

Ospreys are showing up at the Achieva Credit Union Osprey Platform in St Petersburg, Florida. Why do I wish they would just take down this platform if they are not going to fix what is causing the eggs and chicks from falling through?

And from Heidi -I wouldn’t be surprised if Missey and Calico decided to shove Toby off the mantle!!!!!!!!

Have a wonderful day everyone. Stay warm!

Thank you so much to Heidi, the owners of the streaming cams where I took my screen captures; to The Guardian for its environmental coverage; and to all the garden animals, The Girls, and Toby, who add joy and wonder to my life.