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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JANUARY 2024 41 Birding CLUB Winter has finally arrived in Beaumont, and we are all trying to stay warm. People add layers and turn up the thermostat, but what do birds do? Some birds, like the Cedar Waxwings and Robins we saw on our December bird walks, actually come here because our winters are warmer. But it still gets chilly for them and for the birds like Chickadees, Sparrows and Towhees that are here all year around. Birds have developed some special mechanisms and behaviors to stay warm, even when the weather outside is frightful. One thing they do, just like us, is shiver. This action helps them maintain their body temperature. They may also gain weight late in the summer and fall so they have fat reserves to burn. They may not be indulging in Christmas cake, but it helps them to eat high energy food like suet, nuts and seeds. Birds have great insulation — just imagine wearing a down jacket all the time — and puff out their feathers to increase how much heat they maintain. Some birds also produce a special oil or powder that helps to weatherproof their feathers and keeps them dry. Birds have special blood circulation that keeps their bodies warm and prevents their legs and feet from freezing. Ducks, geese and gulls further conserve their body heat by standing on just one leg, or sitting down. Hummingbirds lower their body temperatures, especially at night, to avoid freezing. Birds also cuddle, crowding together to share their body heat, and they often find shelter in tree cavities and nest boxes to stay warm and hide from predators. And last night, I heard a beautiful duet sung by two Great Horned Owls, part of their courtship ritual, and a reminder that being together is one of the best sources of warmth. Come join us on our monthly bird walk to see if we can catch any birds trying out these warming tactics. For more information, contact Gerrie Karczynski at gerrie201516@gmail.com. ~ Kathy Hull Our Book Club selection for Jan. 9 is Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano. Here is a brief description from Amazon.com: "William Waters grew up in a house silenced by tragedy, where his parents could hardly bear to look at him, much less love him — so when he meets the spirited and ambitious Julia Padavano in his freshman year of college, it's as if the world has lit up around him. With Julia comes her family, as she and her three sisters are inseparable: Sylvie, the family's dreamer, is happiest with her nose in a book; Cecelia is a free-spirited artist; and Emeline patiently takes care of them all. With the Padavanos, William experiences a newfound contentment; every moment in their house is filled with loving chaos. But then darkness from William's past surfaces, jeopardizing not only Julia's carefully orchestrated plans for their future, but the sisters' unshakable devotion to one another. The result is a catastrophic family rift that changes their lives for generations. Will the loyalty that once rooted them be strong enough to draw them back together when it matters most? An exquisite homage to Louisa May Alcott's timeless classic, Little Women, Hello Beautiful is a profoundly moving portrait of what is possible when we choose to love someone not in spite of who they are, but because of it." Our meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 9:30 am in RCN, Room 3. All of our book selections are recommended by book club members. Someone volunteers to lead the discussion about the book we have chosen for the month. For more information about the Four Seasons Book Club or to get on our mailing list, please contact me at michelesrosen@gmail.com. ~ Micki Rosen Book Club Song Sparrow at Four Seasons, picture by Linda Miller Cedar Waxwing at Four Seasons, picture by Linda Miller FS Veterans Park Our meeting will be on Jan. 25 at 10 am in The Lodge Game Room. Veterans and their supporters are encouraged to attend. ~ Len Tavernetti, ltavernetti@hotmail.com 1-16-1991 – At 4:30 pm EST, first fighter aircra launch from Saudi Arabia and off U.S. and British aircra carriers in the Persian Gulf on bombing missions over Iraq. All evening, aircra from U.S.-led military coalition pound targets. At 7 pm, Operation Desert Storm, code-name for massive U.S.-led offensive against Iraq, is announced at the White House

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