A Few Images from the Past Couple of Weeks

     From about mid-April onwards I watched a pair of Canada Geese Branta canadensis nesting at a local pond. I think that the pair got so used to me they hardly raised a stir when I passed by quite close to their nest. It has been well established that American Crows Corvus brachyrynchos recognize human faces and react differently to friend and foe so perhaps geese have the same level of cognition.

     Farmers are all busy preparing their fields for crops and these Mennonite farmers were using teams of horses in compliance with their rejection of modern life.

     American Beavers Castor canadensis are primarily nocturnal animals and it is rare to see one in sufficient light to take a photograph. We were very happy, therefore, to see this individual sitting on its lodge in broad daylight. We waited a long time to see whether it would get in a position where we could include its broad, flat tail, but it never obliged.

     During the past week or so Rose-breasted Grosbeaks Pheucticus ludovicianus have returned in good numbers and Miriam and I were delighted to encounter this male.

     On the same day we spotted this Great Northern Loon Gavia immer on the Grand River in Cambridge, an unlikely location, and as we were to discover only the second sighting there ever of this species.

     The picture was taken through dense shoreline vegetation and the bird was constantly diving so many of our pictures were a mere swirl of water.

     And here are the results of the Canada Goose's incubation.

     At this time of year it is almost impossible to take a walk and not hear the familiar refrain of a Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus.

     We are always interested in every facet of nature and were delighted to see this snail, although we have been unable to identify it as to species, having little expertise in this area.

     And no less interesting was this American Toad Anaxyrus americanus americanus doing its best to remain hidden from view.