end of January

     The big excitement in the neighborhood is a new grocery store that opened in mid-January.  A sleepy strip mall on the corner of Wadsworth had a few cars at the TJ Max clothing store, a few more cars at the fitness center, and a mostly empty parking lot.  Sprouts is a natural foods store with good vegetables, fruits, and a large bulk section.  The  store is very popular, now the parking lot is full and finding an empty space requires much patience.  I wonder if the mattress store is having more business since Sprouts opened.
     My backyard feeders have been quiet, except for the Starlings and the squirrels.  I have suspected the unusually warm weather has allowed birds to find food elsewhere.  Today I found another answer. 

Its hard to attract little birds when there is one of these watching the feeders from a neighbor's tree  !!     (It can have all the Starlings it wants to eat.)

And this morning I was surprised to find a Bald Eagle across the street.




The top photo is a Gadwall, one of the continuing winter ducks in South Platte River.