Here in Idaho, we have a lot of bird life, and I never tire of watching them.

(Video below in Quicktime. My apologies to Android users who won’t be able to see it—if I do more videos in the future I’ll figure out a better way.)

Recently, I had the pleasure of having a group of what I think are partridges passing by my property.

We’ve had a lot of gray days in a row. Usually the sun pokes through fairly often—we don’t get the endless clouds like other areas of the Pacific Northwest can—but over the last week, it’s been covered by clouds most days, and it’s beginning to feel a little depressing around here.

I was thinking about how I needed to get some more light into my office when I happened to look out the window. Here came this little group of go-getters, hurrying one after the other through the wintry morning.

Unfortunately they were on the other side of the fence. Had no interest in messing with my black German Shepherd, I’m sure. So the wire is in the way, but they are so energetic you can’t help but chuckle as they move it like snowballs across the snow.

I mean, you can’t even see them pick up and put down their feet. They just seem to glide, like they’re on invisible sleds or something.

Watching them gave me a chuckle and a bit more energy to go about my day, light or not.

I hope they may do the same for you.

If you know more about this bird, please let me know in the comments!

Photo credit: Leoncio J via Foter.com. Audio “The Star of the County Down” by Loreena McKennitt.