Tuesday, June 06, 2017

Time spent together, time spent well.

04 July 2017

     I have been helping a student at the University of Waterloo to gain wider ornithological knowledge and I had arranged to take her to our friend's century farm to study grassland ecology a little. Unfortunately, her father suffered a heart attack so she she returned home to be with her family.
     Following a period of early morning rain, the weather brightened, and Miriam and I decided to pack a lunch and visit the farm anyway. It is always such a pleasure to go there, and once we start to roam the grassland, with Bobolinks Dolichonyx oryzivorus and Eastern Meadolarks Sturnella magna to keep us company, we lose track of time almost and feel a wave of tranquility wash over us. This old farm imparts serenity in so many ways. The hum of traffic and the cacophony of city life is not far away, yet it seems barely to exist as we probe the grassland hoping to discover its secrets.
    What stories could these piles of stone tell if they could talk? What would we know of the pioneers who built the walls? What hopes and dreams were embodied in the breaking of the land?



     Our enlightened friends do not permit the grass to be cut until the birds have finished breeding. Not for them a quick buck and to hell with everything else. Stewardship of the land is a deeply-held core value and this wonderful expanse of grassland is the result.


     Bobolinks, endangered throughout their range, find safe haven here.




     Savannah Sparrows Passerculus sandwichensis, one of the signature grassland sparrows are numerous here; I don't think I have ever seen more individuals at the same time anywhere else.






     This habitat, seriously under threat as more of it is converted to agricultural land, and is gobbled up for housing tracts, harbours an amazing variety of life. Many butterflies sparkled in the sunlight above the nodding grasses and prairie flowers, although many of them never landed and were often hard to identify. A Common Ringlet Coenonympha tullia and a Black Swallowtail Papilo polyxenes were more obliging than most.



     Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris is a well adapted invasive species that has experienced spectacular success in North America, and it seems that one can hardly go anywhere without seeing juvenile birds, a testament to its aggressive eviction of native cavity-nesting species.


     Up near the house there is a little knee wall adjacent to bird feeders set out to attract hummingbirds and orioles and we sat on the wall in bright sunshine to eat our lunch. These whimsical little metal birds seemed to signify their approval.


     As we ate, a male American Kestrel Falco sparverius hovered in search of rodents scurrying along their trails through the grass. No doubt this male has mouths to feed and is kept busy providing food for its mate and recently hatched chicks.


     This farm is remarkable, the owners even more remarkable.



     We are so fortunate to be permitted to roam the length and breadth of it, to try each time we visit to tease out a few more of its secrets.


     


     May we always be welcome here to probe and search, to pry, to satisfy our curiosity, to revel in the myriad ways in which nature can deliver sensory delights of every kind without ever failing us. It is special privilege indeed and one which we will never take for granted, but one for which we will be eternally grateful.
     And there is no one with whom I would rather share it than Miriam. Life is good!
David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

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

10 comments:

  1. It sounds like you and Miriam had the most wonderful day together, roaming the land. You are absolutely correct. Losing track of time and feeling tranquility wash over you is so typical of a visit to the farm and of spending time in nature. Everyone should indulge in doing so! Your pictures are amazing, as usual. I love to see the Bobolinks, but in the future, I'll also make a point to watch for the Savannah Sparrows!

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  2. Very nice bird David. And funny pictures ;-)
    Good evening.

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  3. Hi David, looks a wonderful and peaceful area to visit and loose all track of time, you also get some superb images. All the best to you both, John

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  4. Some nice grassland birds there, somewhat different from here.........

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  5. You had a wonderful day in this interesting place. I love your photos. Greetings!

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  6. You are lucky indeed David to know such custodians of the land/. I am afraid that it is exactly the same here, despite all the talk of conservation. Rare is it to find someone who "walks the talk" rather than seing everyting and everywhere as a possible cash cow to exploited.

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  7. Sounds like a great day out. Farmland and buildings are gobbling up habitat world wide, it is a sad state of affairs. Lovely photo. Diane

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  8. Hi David,
    Lovely post with gorgeous birds! I discover the bobolink a cute ball of feathers!
    I am leaving for Madagascar tomorrow until the end of the month... A few bird species are the same as in southern Africa, I can't wait!
    Keep well and abrazos to share with Miriam :)

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    Replies
    1. Have a wonderful time in Madagascar, Noushka. Look forward to your pictures.

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  9. A delightfully heart-warming piece, David, which I've very much enjoyed reading. The photos from the pair of you beautifully illustrate the magic and tranquility of this place. How lucky you are to have such enlightened friends.

    My love to you both - - - Richard

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We acknowledge that the land on which we are situated are the lands traditionally used by the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Neutral People. We also acknowledge the enduring presence and deep traditional knowledge, laws, and philosophies of the Indigenous Peoples with whom we share this land today. We are all treaty people with a responsibility to honour all our relations.

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