WILDLIFE WATCHING -- Bird feeders are especially alive with activity in this cold weather as birds -- and other wildlife -- look for easy calories.  To get a cross section of species, you need seed feeders filled separatel with black sunflower seeds and others with niger as well as suet feeders, such as the one attracting the flicker above.

Meantime, some birds just want you to provide bushes for cover, especially if they still hold berries and fruit from last season.

Here's a birding update from North Idaho comes via Dave Oliveria's Huckleberries online:

“The Arctic chill and accompanying snow storm brought about 20 robins to seek shelter in the trees and shrubs around our Post Falls home on Thursday,” posts Kerri Thoreson on her Facebook page. “The sight of the birds made me wistful for springtime. More photos of our red-breasted visitors.”

More photos of Kerri's robins here.