Birdwatching is Bringing Me Joy During This Brutally Cold Winter

Dan’s Almost Daily Journal-Volume 94-My Recovery From Back Surgery is Going Well

Happy New Year to All!

Female (Top) and Male Northern Cardinal Captured Using My Vinguys Smart Feeder

Note: This article contains Amazon Affiliate links. If you purchase the product from the link, I will earn a small commission.

Welcome back. So far, this winter has been very cold and snowy with below-average temperatures and brutally cold winds. Did I mention wind? It seems every week we are under a Wind Advisory. We have had at least 3 snowstorms and some minor snow in between. It seems like it’s been winter for a long time, but in actuality, we're just getting started.

Of course, this winter, since I am recovering from back surgery, I haven’t been able to go cross-country skiing. I have been out for a few short walks in the areas where I normally ski. It feels good to get out in nature again.

Recent Walk at Hunts Pond State Forest/Author Photos

A bright spot has been watching and photographing the birds at the feeders. The birds have been very active at the feeders, especially after the last snowfall of about 8 inches on Friday, December 26th. I am photographing birds using my Nikon Coolpix L830 point-and-shoot camera. However, I now have two Vinguys smart feeders, which I have been enjoying as well.

Here is an Amazon Affiliate Link for a Vinguys Smart Feeder.

European Starling Via Vinguys Smart Feeder

I am Pleased With My Recovery Thus Far

I am now one month post-surgery. Time does fly. I can get around well and do light tasks. My next checkup is near the end of January. Until then, I am still restricted to lifting no more than 10 pounds, and I am also supposed to avoid excessive bending and twisting. Soon, I will be going to PT to help strengthen my back muscles. Overall, my back feels really good.

Now that Christmas is over, things are slowing down a bit. We are looking forward to ringing in the new year.

Why Do I Have Two Smartfeeders?

Last Christmas, my wife bought me a Vinguys smart feeder, as I wrote about it here.

It worked really well during the winter. Towards spring, however, it stopped working as it didn’t seem to charge properly with the solar panel. I tried charging it indoors using a USB cable, but I was unable to get it going again. I contacted Vinguys, who eventually sent me a new feeder this fall. I kept the original feeder in the cellar, and noticed this fall that when I walked by it in the cellar, the blue light on the camera went on, which indicates it is detecting motion. It was alive!

Blue Jay Via Vinguys Smart Feeder

So I tried charging it again, and then went through the procedure to reset it and add it to the phone app, which controls the camera. Lo and behold, it was working again! So I put it outside since I had saved the mounting bracket and solar panel.

So now I have dueling smart feeders!

The Cardinals Are Finally Using the Smartfeeders!

Last winter, the Cardinals never fed from the smart feeder. They seemed to use all the other feeders I have. Just last week, they started using the feeder I put back out that came back to life. This feeder is located near the edge of the yard in a more protected area near trees. This makes sense that they feel more protected there as opposed to my other feeders that are not as close to the tree line. However, last winter, they never used it.

It's great to have the Cardinals on the smart feeder; it makes for some good photos! I have also been continuing to participate in Project FeederWatch.

Female Downy Woodpecker On the Suet Feeder/Author Photo

Here is an Amazon Affiliate Link for a Heath Suet Cage.

Stay tuned for more updates, including big changes coming to my garden next year.