Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

     Winter in Ontario means snow. Sometimes not so much, sometimes the stuff that buries houses.
    We spent last weekend in Ottawa with my daughter, Caroline, her husband, Andrew, and our two grandchildren Sam and Will, who are now by the way, both taller than their grandpa. Shouldn't there be a law against that?
    We arrived on Friday, early afternoon, and all was dry. We did hit a couple of snow squalls on the way from Waterloo to Ottawa, but nothing serious.
    Overnight, however, from Friday into Saturday, several centimetres of snow fell, and the landscape was transformed. On Saturday afternoon we decided to go for a walk at Petrie Islands Park, one of our favourite spots to do a little birding; an area that over the years has been extremely productive.
     There was still open water and a lone Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) had decided to tough out the early winter and was still making a living. That may soon change as temperatures begin to dip and even the Ottawa River freezes up. Ice was forming along the shore.



     American Beavers (Castor canadensis) have been busy laying in winter storage, and there was evidence of their depredation everywhere. 




     The extent to which a family of beavers can transform a landscape is nothing short of amazing.
     In terms of birds, the most exciting find was a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus) who obligingly alerted us to their presence by a volley of their loud staccato call. This is a spectacular bird by any standards.






     In fact, birds in general were sparse, not unexpected given the time of year.
     We had a great walk, however, with much to interest us and returned home well satisfied with our afternoon perambulation. 
     The next day was a little colder, but still very pleasant, so we all decided to set off again, this time in the woods surrounding the neighbourhood where Caroline and Andrew live, and combine a bracing walk with the dog's daily exercise.
     Here, at the trailhead, are Andrew, Caroline, and Nalla, their faithful companion.



     The woods were snowy and very appealing, with crisp sounds underfoot, snow laden conifers,  and the cheerful accompaniment of chickadees, woodpeckers and nuthatches.



     Someone seems to have made it a Christmas project to install bird feeders deep in the woods and adorn them for the season.



     The feeders were empty, however, otherwise there would doubtless have been a constant parade of birds.
     Nalla revels in a romp in the woods but never gets too far ahead without checking back to make sure that her human charges are not lagging too far behind.



     We returned home after a couple of hours for a welcome glass of wine (maybe two) and one of Caroline's always superb dinners.
     When we left Ottawa on Monday morning the temperature was minus 18°. Winter has truly arrived, whatever the calendar says.
     Yesterday was the day for our regular Tuesday Ramble with David and we elected to walk along the Mill Race Trail. Mary is away in Florida, Franc was feeling under the weather and Carol had other plans so we were just five.
     Snow is not confined to Ottawa as you may see.



     Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a year-round resident and both males and females were common.




     This pair of Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) seemed unfazed by the snow, which was falling heavily at times.



     Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) deals with winter with aplomb.



     The trail has such a different aspect from season to season and in some ways winter is the most appealing.




     One certainly doesn't have to worry about mosquitoes biting!
     We lost count of the number of Downy Woodpeckers (Dryobates pubescens) but they were very common indeed.




     This Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) had not yet retired to spend the winter under the ice, perhaps in a comfortable beaver den, warm and dry.



     As naturalists in a northern land we celebrate winter and all that it has to offer. I urge anyone who dreads the advent of the season to get out and enjoy it - dress warmly, keep your eyes and ears open and a whole world will reveal itself to you.
     And for those of you who have just read this blog post, enjoy this wonderful compilation.

David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

29 comments:

  1. Amazing captures of the woodpeckers! The beavers can certainly fell the trees!!!
    The Blue Jay is such a beautiful colour.
    It does look very cold in your part of the world.
    I'd like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I look forward to seeing more gorgeous birds and wildlife in the New Year :)

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  2. Hello, looks like a cold but wonderful walk in the snow. The Pileated woodie is one of my favorite birds, I see them often around our neighborhood. The muskrat is a cute critter.
    Nalla looks like a sweet furbaby. Dressing warmly for a walk in the cold is necessary. Happy birding, enjoy your day and week!

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  3. HI Both,
    Some good captures for the day, always so impressed with the Blue Jay. You appear to have had another successful trip to your family, always a delight to meet up with the grandchildren, even if the have out grown you??. We have just had a cold snap with about 150 mm of snow and farther South they had -13, so we are mild in comparison. The Beaver have certainly felled some large trees.
    All the best, John

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  4. We had a huge dump of snow this week.............

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  5. Sounds like a wonderful weekend with your daughter, and her family. We have beavers here on our farm that do some damage each season.

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  6. Such pretty birds, do like the bow in the woods :) some women's touch I expect but then I could be totally wrong.
    It's hot here and seeing all that snow somehow makes one feel cooler.
    Enjoy your time in winter.

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  7. The birds with bright colours certainly stand out in the snow!

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  8. Hello David,
    marvelous photos of the landscape and the birds in the Wintertime, also your family. Have a great time.
    Best, Synnöve

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  9. I love the Pileated Woodpeckers, it was beautiful.

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  10. It is good to see some of the birds out in the snow! The birds are beautiful especially the woodpecker!

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  11. I have been looking for a Pileated Woodpecker for a long time and finally caught sight of one last week. Sadly, he took off before the camera's click. Beautiful shots. Enjoyed seeing the beaver. Happy Thursday.

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  12. Hari OM
    The cardinals and woodpeckers stand even more decorously against such a background! I have friends up near Ottawa (Perth/Smith Falls area) and am always in awe of the birds and scenery. Here, across the big water, it is also very chill and white, but not to quite the same extent. Yet! Loved the 'opera' &*> YAM xx

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  13. Hi David,
    Snow brings marvels, the encounters are very beautiful. Even those you don't see ;-)
    I know that the day we come to Canada, you will be our guide !
    Bye David

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  14. From your pictures, David, I reckon we've had more snow than you! The problem is that we English seem to be hopeless at dealing with it. It took me two and three quarter hours to get to our daughter's place on Sunday as I kept getting stuck behind trucks that couldn't get traction on the snow. It's only 25 miles (40km) and usually takes around 35 minutes!

    That Pileated Woodpecker is an amazing bird. One day - - - - - - !!!

    My love to you both - - - Richard

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  15. I was cold before I started reading this post now I am even colder!!! Great bird shots despite the weather. Keep well Diane

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  16. What beautiful are the images of fauna with a snowy environment, has a light and a special charm, well away from what is my reality. Here many people like to see the snow and get to be in those places, but most can not stand more than a few days, we are not used to such cold environments

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  17. Beautiful images David. The Pileated Woodpeckers looks awesome, like a bird from The Triassic–Jurassic extinction event.

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    1. Thank goodness for all of us it is not extinct, Tarja.

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  18. Brrr! Sorry david you're more than welcome to that. Hopefully we have had our two or three days of frost. I'm so looking forward to the shortest day with Dunnocks and Mistle Thrush in song but I would swap for a chance to photograph a Pileated Woodpecker. Take care on that ice and snow, it looks quite unpleasant.

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  19. Hello David!
    Gee, I thought I was cold in Spain with the water dams frozen in black ice, but this..... I would not be able to stand!
    Miriam shot great pics, especially of the Cardinal, but where are your photos??? ;-)
    My best wishes to you both, abrazos and hugs :)))

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  20. It's always lovely to spend time with family.
    Loved all of your photographs and don't the wonderful colours of the birds show so nicely.

    Enjoy the week ahead.

    All the best Jan

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  21. Lovely wintry photos! Nalla looks very cute and the fabulous colours of the Blue Jay never cease to amaze me.
    Yes, snow is wonderful. Our combination of the cold, dark and icy winter is sometimes a little bit boring, but the air is so fresh and indeed there's no need to worry about mosquitoes, midges, ticks et cetera... :)

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  22. Dear David,
    you've truly warmed my heart with your so wonderful post, your images are so touching, thank you!

    Wishing you the Merriest and Brightest Christmas ever,
    and a New Year filled with Love, Peace and many Blessings

    XOXO Dany

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  23. Hello David, what a wonderful Winter wonderland with all those special birds we do not see here. Miriam took some great captures of them. Also I want to wish you and Miriam a most wonderful Christmas and all the best for 2018.
    Regards,
    Roos

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  24. What a great selection of animals - some I have seen, some on my wish list. My son is now taller than me - and there should be a law against that too!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  25. The Blue Jay is such a beautiful colour. And the Pileated Woodpeckers looks awesome...
    http://grsshoes.com/

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  26. Preciosa entrada David, maravillosa. Felices fiestas y que en el 2018 se cumplan todos vuestros deseos. Salud y paz. Un fuerte abrazo Lola.

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