About all we could do during our recent 3-day power outage was enjoy the birds at the feeders. Here is a series of low-res iPhone images of birds at the feeder just outside the kitchen window. Note the 6" of snow on the ground in the background.

Photo 1:
Best snipe hunt of my life. I felt like I hit the jackpot. Such an odd yet stunningly beautiful bird.

Photo 2:
Snipe Portrait
Feel lucky to be able to get a portrait shot of a snipe. Those eyes are set so far back on its head that it can see equally well in front, behind and both sides. Impossible to sneak up on them due to literally having eyes in the back of their head. In this case, I was in a car with the window already rolled down & it had been sleeping off the side of the road.

Photo 3:
When Your Subject Is Going To Sleep On You
I don't know if it is bored, falling asleep, winking or just playing coy. Either way, totally relaxed. I was shooting from inside the car thru an open window.

Photo 4:
A Snipes Bill
Took this one for detail of that impressive bill. You probably figured out that they use it to probe deep in the mud for food. But did you know that the tip of the bill is flexible & can open just enough to grab food while leaving the base of the bill closed? This lets them slurp down food without having to take their bill out of the mud.

Photo 5:
The Moment It Spotted Me
I must have leaned too far out the car window because it spotted me. Put the leg back down and came fully awake.
Photo 6:
The Moment It Left
This is the last shot I got, a split second before it exploded into the air and flew away. I feel pretty lucky to get this shot. And blessed for the entire encounter.