The usual suspects have been prowling about, and some unusual visitors as well. There were redpolls at the feeder this morning, sharing it with chickadees and cardinals. And a small group of doves, perhaps a half-dozen, the usual number we see feeding under the birdfeeder as their breed is accustomed to doing.

The unusual guest this morning was a red-breasted nuthatch, perched alongside a cardinal. Nuthatches always like to hang around flocks of chickadees, and we've seen this one on a number of occasions.

As for the feeder meant for both birds and squirrels, it's well-occupied by red, grey and black squirrels, busy throughout the day feeding themselves against oncoming winter. The doves don't mind in the least sharing space with the squirrels; their close proximity is of no concern to either, in fact.

That winter's arrival is imminent was more than abundantly clear by the temperature, and the heavy wind gusts that prevailed yesterday, despite the presence of the sun, striking its brilliant pose from time to time, challenging belligerent grey clouds.

Overnight and through this morning the clouds have gotten the upper hand, alongside the chill temperature and wind. We awoke to a white landscape. Not entirely unexpected for this time of year, and coming down in fits of light snow for hours, alternating with larger gobs of flakes fused together.

We wonder whether Jackie and Jillie remember snow from last winter when they were young puppies. Jillie seemed enthralled by the snow, she gathered herself in ecstatic leaps and bounds around the backyard, while Jackie remained perched on the deck, impervious to her invitations to join her in mad dashes through the snow.

It's an altered landscape, one requiring that we alter arrangements in the house, hauling out heavier rubber mats at entrances to the house, and scrubbing about for winter boots, and winter jackets for our two little black imps.