Snow Birds

This winter settled in and pelted much of the US over the past month with cold temps, snow and ice, even in areas where it isn't generally expected. But we've had no snow to speak of in the Tennessee Valley for the past several years, so even though mentioned in the forecast, we weren't especially expecting it today either.
I drove to a meeting mid-day and spent a pleasant couple of hours watching snow fall through large paned windows as we held our discussion beside a warm fire. On the drive home, at 36 degrees F, the clouds of falling snow quickly turned to water and it seemed the show was over. But when I turned off to climb the hill where I live, the trees magically transformed into a fairyland of wintery boughs of fluff.
The light was gray and snow still falling when I snapped these photos. And despite being a non-native species, this holly, pictured earlier today, has been a wonderful perch and shelter for many species. I even watched a yellow-bellied sapsucker climb its meager trunk a day ago and snatch one of its berries.
Sigh.... Maybe one day they'll make glass that won't confuse my automatic focus.

Birds pictured from top to bottom: Slate-colored junco (often called "snow birds"), white-throated sparrow, Carolina wren, Carolina chickadee, yellow-bellied sapsucker.