Wednesday, January 18, 2023

A Snowy Owl, a Rough-Legged Buzzard and American Crows

      We are experiencing the strangest of winters. As I glance outside to my backyard there is not a speck of snow - and this is January in Ontario. Precipitation comes in the form of rain, and fog and mist are our constant companions it seems.
     Miriam and I have been on our annual quest to find Snowy Owls (Bubo scandiacus), finally having success.

14 January, 2023
Wellington County, ON

     We made coffee, grabbed two delicious homemade chocolate chip/oatmeal cookies and headed out with visions of Snowy Owls dancing in our heads. This search has taken on the trappings of an annual rite of passage, and we look forward to reconnecting with these most magnificent of birds with an intensity reserved by others for such trival events as the Super Bowl or the Oscars. There is no doubt that there is some form of spiritual connection that exists between us and them.
     We have been patrolling all the reliable places where we have found this aristocrat of the north in years past, but have come up empty. 
     Finally - success!


     It was quite far off, in a field with barely a trace of snow (bad news for farmers) and sat quietly, resting and conserving its energy.
     Despite entreaties every year unscrupulous photographers will trespass on private property and disturb the owls in the eternal quest for the perfect shot, sacrificing the welfare of the bird to their own selfish ends.


     Our good friends, Victoria and Selwyn have never had the pleasure of an encounter with a Snowy Owl, but when we took them to see it the following day, it was nowhere to be found, having moved far away from over-zealous idiots I suspect.

Benjamin Road, Region of Waterloo, ON

     We were mere minutes from home when we noticed a raptor perched close to the road. A quick glance told us that it was not a Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), our most likely Buteo, and we turned the car around to position ourselves to get a better look and take some pictures.


     It was a magnificent, dark morph Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus). No sooner had we started to watch it, it dropped down and seemed to be mantling prey. If so, it consumed it on the ground, because when it flew off there was no evidence of a captured vole or other prey in its talons.


     It is a spectacular bird and we were delighted to have seen it.

American Crow (Corvus brachyrynchos) in our backyard

     American Crows, a member of the family Corvidae, are among the most intelligent and engaging of birds, and we have been doing our best to forge a relationship with them in our yard.


     We put out food for them every day, but they are naturally wary, and approach with caution. 


     They have every reason to mistrust humans who have persecuted them for centuries in every way possible. Slowly they are developing confidence in us, and when Miriam calls to them when she opens the window to toss out food, they appear almost instantly and perch in the trees in our yard and the neighbour's.


     We hope over time to have them trust us completely and engage with us daily. 


     What a rare privilege that will be.

A Shout-out for Linda Primmer, My Fairy Blogmother

     A couple of years ago I had Linda redesign my blog and I have been delighted with the results.
     Recently, I decided that it was time for a change of header, and went about doing it. Big mistake! I screwed it up royally!
     As I have several times since I first met Linda, I turned to her, and patiently and skillfully she set everything right and you can see the results above. She really is the epitome of professionalism and a joy to deal with. 
     It is ironic that I could explain the cell structure of a flower to you, converse on avian anatomy, fill you with wonder about bird migration, chat about a string quartet, but I am a total moron when it comes to a computer, and irrationally intimidated by it I might add.
     Linda has always come to my rescue, and I appreciate it immensely.
     Thank you, Linda.



David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

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

85 comments:

  1. Love the new header! Everyone should have a Linda, I guess. lol! ;)
    Beautiful to see the Snowy Owl!! Has to be hard on them, too, to have no snow.
    I hope the crows trust you more and more. They are such regal, intelligent creatures. :)

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  2. The American Crows is very beautiful, David. They are wise just like the rest of the crow family. I'm glad you got to see the Snowy Owls. They are too so beautiful.
    Hugs and kisses, Marit

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  3. Hello David, exciting without a doubt this annual encounter with the majestic snowy owl, I envy you in a healthy way that you have the opportunity to observe it every year. I take this opportunity to wish you a 2023 full of health and new opportunities to continue enjoying nature and its fantastic inhabitants. A hug Julio

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  4. Our summer is on the weird side too. I fear it is a portent of things to come. Thank you so much for taking us (vicariously) on these wonderful excursions. Like you I am a big fan of the corvid family. Beautiful intelligent family minded birds. Hooray for Linda. We all (I am told) have our talents, and you seem to have plenty. And add me to the list of those who love your new header.

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  5. ...of these sightings, crows the only ones that I see.

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  6. I like your new look. What better header than a chickadee in the hand?

    We have quite a gaggle of crows living in our neighborhood and I do enjoy watching them. And of course they are effective sentinels for the other birds, quick to warn of any danger.

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    1. The bird in the picture is a White-breasted Nuthatch, Dorothy.

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    2. Of course it is! And I knew that. I blame a brain fart when I was typing!

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  7. Over the moon to know that you have, at last, connected with a Snowy Owl this winter, David. I'm sure it was a great relief for you.

    Rough-legged Buzzard is a bird that I have not had the pleasure of meeting, and a bit few and far between in UK. Gorgeous photos of the American Crow.

    Best wishes to you both - - - Richard

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  8. Tiempo extraño en todos sitios. Belleza de búho blanco que contrasta con la negrura del cuervo. Preciosa cabecera con el pajarillo comiendo en la mano.
    Buena noche David.
    Un abrazo.

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  9. I am so very sorry to hear that the birds are being affected by the odd weather, although not surprised. I am now supporting mostly environmental charities. I too like crows and ravens, and those are very good pictures. I am sure you have seen accounts of recent experiments suggesting that corvids appear to be capable of surprisingly analytical thinking.

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    1. It really is quite amazing just how analytical they are, Jenny.

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  10. Amazing! We're having the strangest of winters here too. It's been SO HOT for the season, it felt like it was March all the time...
    I'd love to see a Snowy Owl, they're so magical. Last year three individuals were found in Northern Spain and many birders travelled far to see them, it's not an animal you can easily find in Europe!
    Saludos!

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    1. You will have to come here in the winter, Guillermo, and we'll find one for you.

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  11. What a beautiful Snowy Owl!....I can see there is magic around them.....this is a perfect balanced yin-yan post....the Snowy Owl and the American Crow.....duality in its perfection!......Abrazotes, Marcela

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  12. Hurrah for seeing a snowy owl. I went out yesterday to a place they are often seen by the ocean and the only birds I managed to see were some various gulls. I am going back tomorrow with some friends so I' m keeping my fingers that we see owl or at least more than gulls. I like your new header too. hugs-Erika

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    1. It's a fabulous bird to see, Erika. Good luck with your search.

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  13. Querido David, ahora me vendria muy bien Linda a mi lado por la serie de problemas que tengo. Es maravilloso poder disfrutar de esas hermosas aves, las fotos y tus comentarios estupendos. Me encanta el Búho y aunque se avistaran dos en mi tierra no tuve el placer de verlos, los pobres sufrieron tal acoso que se fueron. En cuanto al invierno aquí también resultó raro, por fin esta semana llegó el mal tiempo y la nieve. Un fuerte abrazo para ti y para Míriam

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  14. How lovely to see the snowy owl.
    Many thanks for sharing all of your lovely photographs.

    I do like your new header, well done Linda.

    All the best Jan

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  15. Yes, the new header is striking! As is the snowy owl. Thank you for another pleasant outing.

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  16. From time to time I will take timevto talk to a group of crows here.

    They look at me like I'm nuts.

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  17. What a beautiful new header David.
    The snowy owl, we only see in a zoo.
    Crows are here, they are very smart.
    Here, too, nature is not as it should be.
    Greetings Irma

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  18. Hi David - I agree with you and the others ... the header is brilliant - so pleased to see the white-breasted chickadee - stunning photo by Miriam, I presume - she's a brilliant photographer and certainly complements your avian skills. Yes - I need a Linda too ... cheers Hilary

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    1. I can give you Linda's contact information if you wish, Hilary.

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    2. Thanks David ... I'll bear it in mind - not sure I want to start along that route at the moment --- lots of other things going on - but most definitely worth a thought - thank you ... cheers Hilary

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  19. Great sightings, I especially love the Snowy Owl and the Rough-legged Hawk. Beautiful photos! Take care, have a happy day!

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  20. Gorgeous pictures and birds !!!
    Have a nice day !
    Anna

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  21. your new blog design is very nice - but what really caught my eye was that beautiful little snowy owl - quite a small bird it seems, so perfect and pretty. Your blog is a like a window for me to see so many beautiful birds and photographed so well. Thank you.

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    1. Hello Betty: Thanks for stopping by my blog. The Snowy Owl image was taken from a considerable distance and this may lead to thinking it is a small bird. From from it actually. It is about 70 cm in length and weighs around 2kg, quite heavy when you consider that the bird is mainly insulating feathers. Hope you will visit often and I will be sure to reciprocate.

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    2. will do thank you and also thank you for the update notes, your owl is wonderful.

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  22. Buena serie de aves, podemos ahora ver en tu nueva entrada en el blog. Siempre caminas por la Naturaleza ofreciendo su belleza.

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  23. Haha je suis nulle aussi avec les ordinateurs, une vraie catastrophe :D
    Très belles photos, toujours heureuse de revoir un harfang des neiges.
    J'ai parfois des corbeaux qui passent au dessus de mon bois et s'y arrêtent.
    Bonne journée

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  24. Gorgeous images, especially the raptor in flight and your new friends, the crows. I've no doubt you will be crow-whisperers and they'll soon be eating out of your hand, both literally and figuratively! Isn't Linda the best? I love your new header. She did my blog redo last year and I've been so pleased with it. Yours looks terrific.And that photo is so what I think of when I visit here. Speaking of which, I just signed up for your email updates. I don't think I noticed that before. I tend to visit the ones I get email from first and sometimes don't get to the blogger reading list for a couple of days so I might be more timely!

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  25. These are just some gorgeous photos.

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  26. I live in the hope that 2023 will be my year to see an owl! No luck so far, but the year is young.

    We too are working on a relationship with the crows. Slow but steady progress!

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  27. Hi David..the weather is strange everywhere these days! Great photographs

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  28. Love the profile shots of those crows!

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  29. Lovely post David. How wonderful to see the snowy owl. You are very welcome. Thank you for the shout out. Enjoy your bird outings.

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  30. You're not the only one who's intimidated by the computer. I work on one all day and am beset with worries if something doesn't go according to formula. I love the header, and the snowy owl.

    Love,
    Janie

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  31. It seems that winter has become a late autumn.
    Snowy owls also seem puzzled.

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  32. Nice new header, David, it's a beauty. Congrats on seeing a snowy owl, you always know where to look. :)

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  33. Beautiful photos! I never mess with my blog header, I have had problems, might be time to try again.

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    1. David, it is the 2023 Canadian Red Cross calendar, featuring a baby anmials theme, regarding your comment on baby koalas being featured in a Canadian calendar.

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  34. You are so lucky to see this beautiful snowowl. Thank you for your friendship.

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  35. Aquí tuvimos a dos ejemplares de búho nival el año pasado, pero verlos fuera de su ecosistema no tiene mucho placer. Me ha encantado y entretenido mucho tu reportaje, enhorabuena David. Un fuerte abrazo desde el norte de España.

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  36. Thank you for the pictures of the snowy owl and thank you that they are taken with care for this magnificent bird. For a moment I thought I'd clicked on the wrong blog somehow but obviously a good "bird blog". How lucky for me that I came back from a lengthy blogoging "vacation" on the day your new header appeared. I could have used a good Fairy Blogmother over the years, but at this stage I feel lucky to just post once in a while so I think I'll concentrate on that . Thank you for the beautiful content of your posts, which is all you -- you don't need any help! But also to Linda for using your beautiful nuthatch photo to rermarkable advantage!

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  37. I enjoyed that in so many ways. The Snowy Owl is, as I've said before, a great sadness to me because the one we had in the copse on our land was shot 5 decades ago. On the other hand Corvidae are not my favourite birds. I admire them but I have had to watch as they peck the eyes out of a lamb as it's being born. I do not encourage them. Just as I do not encourage Black Back Gulls for similar reasons. On the other hand, and therefore quite irrationally, I am thrilled by the resurgence of the White Tailed Sea Eagles nearby.

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  38. I am delighted that you have at last seen a snowy owl this year. Love the header and glad you had some help!
    As for the weather, it is snowing here as I type this !!!!! Looking forward to some sun next week but they are all complaining about the heat over there!
    Bisous Diane

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  39. That is a pretty bird in the updated header. Also, black birds are challenging to photograph, especially around the eyes which is why I'm impressed with the clarity in the second to last photo of the crow.

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  40. Buenas noches, querido amigo David, después de unos días de inactividad, pasando a visitar a los amigos.
    No existe ninguna duda del cambio climático y el que no lo quiera ver está ciego. Nosotros llevamos todo el mes de enero sin llover y temperaturas de 19 y 20 °C durante el día, por la noche refresca un poco, pero eso es todo.
    Es una maravilla poder contemplar a ese gran rey, el Búho nival, una auténtica maravilla y un placer el poder contar con él. El Cuervo americano ya os conoce y sabe de sobra que está en buenas manos.
    Gracias nuevamente por mostrarnos tanta belleza, amigo mío. Siempre es un placer pasar por tu extraordinario blog de naturaleza.
    Un gran abrazo, queridos amigos y compadres.

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  41. I thought the raptor in flight was superb. But the raven really caught my eye. Here they are scavengers. They hang out in parking lots looking for food and squawking. I'm not sure I'm as enamored with them as you, but I live in a city where they are, I'm sure, much different from your life away from the city.

    I like your new blog header. I can barely tell a cardinal from a blue jay, so we each have our specific skill sets.

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    1. They hang around in parking lots because we have taken away so much of their habitat - and continue to do so - and they find easy pickings on all the food we waste and discard.

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  42. Lovely capture of the snowy owl. Is that your hand or Miriam's feeding the bird - a nuthatch?

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    1. It's mine. Miriam was behind the camera. I am quite sure you are admiring it and thinking how lovely it is!!

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    2. And yes, it is a White-breasted Nuthatch.

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  43. Snowy owls are just fabulous. Once one of them viisted our area, but never again that has been publicized.

    When my blog was new I figured out (with a lot of trial and error) how to make a header and format the sidebars. Now I’m afraid to tinker! So it stays the same. Your results are great, I should probably get help and update it, but now it feels so familiar.

    best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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  44. Hi David,
    Every year you get some proof that the nature is full of surprises. Of course we all hope for unique encounters with special kinds of animals, but the climate is another item. With us tempatures have been higher than the average during this "winter", but also occasionally incidental touches of winter we had to face. In Canada climate obviously also offers surprises. Who knows what else is still to come.
    Greetings, Kees

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  45. I generally enjoy watching birds. However, I am not nearly as knowledgeable about them. I can usually identify most of them. Here in Alabama we have a variety of hawks (buteo and accipiter) that I have seen. I love seeing the red-tailed hawks. There is a smaller hawk that often sits (very uprightly) on power lines, but I can never remember what type he is.

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  46. Hi David.

    A beautiful header photo.

    You can see beautiful nature with the birds.
    The Snowy Owl is great.

    Greetings from Patricia.

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  47. What a wonderful creature (Snowy Owl)! I especially liked the pictures of the America Crow.

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  48. Hello David :=) I spent today catching up with my blog friends. Thank you for leaving lovely comments whilst I was away. :=) I have recovered now, and am enjoying visiting again. I'm so happy for you that you saw the Snowy Owl, I hope the Rough - legged Buzzard did not harm the owl in any way, or would the Snowy Owl be a worthy adversary. They are both
    magnificent birds of prey. Fantastic photos of the American Crow. I would love to see all three of these birds in the wild. I also like your new header.
    My best wishes and a big hug. It's good to be back!

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  49. I had wanted to compliment you on the new header the last time I came to your blog and then totally forgot. It is truly beautiful!
    Oh, that Snowy Owl, how beautiful it is. I have never seen one. Unfortunately I have witnessed photographers like those you described, who don't respect boundaries and trample down everything in their way. The last time I witnessed that big time was in 2019 when we went to Southern California to see the superbloom. It was otherworldly beautiful, but the people - it was disgusting. All they wanted was their perfect Instagram shot.
    What kind of bird food do you put out for the crows? I have seen our crows nibble on the nut suet I had put out. The moment I get only close to the window, they're off. That's quite an achievement that yours come right when food is put out.

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  50. I have never seen a snowy owl in the wild, David. They are beautiful birds. I do love raptors, especially red-tailed hawks. Crows are fabulous birds, so beautiful, intelligent, and social. I'm glad you have a friend like Linda who helps you with technology. I'm always looking for help from my savvy nieces and nephews. Happy bird watching this week.

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  51. Seeing a Snowy Owl definitely trumps the Super Bowl or the Oscars around here, neither of which we ever watch. Weather is certainly odd these years, and we've had a very mild January thus far, although the temperatures are dropping.

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  52. First of all, nice new header! Congrats on having that relationship with Linda. I appreciate your story re capturing the Snowy Owl while being respectful of their territory. Neat captures, despite the distance. Re the American Crows … I see lots of them along my waterfront walk and it’s quite interesting to view their behavior. Some, apparently, have become accustomed to the humans, while others will fly away well before I get close to them. I’m guessing it all has to do with their experiences so far in a Crow’s life. 😊

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  53. Hi David,
    Beautiful Snowy Owl ! Let al the idiots go to the zoo for pictures of this owl !
    The Rough-legged Buzzerd is fantastic! And lovely gardenbirds the American Crows! Beautifully captured. I hope they become tame!
    Happy sunday,
    Regards Maria

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  54. I love that you have access to the beautiful Snowy Owl ... I have mentioned before that we often get a few on our Lake Michigan shore, but I have never been able to see one up close except in a zoo which is, to me, an unhappy exposure. Your rough legged Hawk (Buzzard) is another matter. They migrate through here every year. They are one of the few birds that can hover and it is so awesome to watch. I am guessing when your hawk mantled he caught a small rodent and swallowed it whole in one or two gulps ... it always amazes me to see them do that. What an awesome treat for you.
    I love crows and yes, so smart. We had a flock that lived in our neighborhood when we lived by the lake. I fed them as well and they came talking to me daily ... they never attempted to get close, but they would sit, watch and chatter as I brought out the seeds and suet. I do so miss being so close to nature every day. I envy you, but mostly I admire that everything in your life is highlighted by nature ... and you share it all with us:) . Don't feel alone in your in your intimidation of computers. Our generation didn't get a full exposure at a learning age, thus it continues to be an enigma even after years of bumbling experience. Thankfully my FH is an engineer and managed the computer systems at a Research Facility ... and my son grew up on tech and thinks it should be easy for me to understand when he tries to explain something, Ha! Oh well, I have talents he doesn't have so it's okay :) We can't be all things to all people ... you however are a delight in my life and I look forward to our every encounter.

    Andrea @ From the Sol

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  55. The snowy owl is magnificent! I'd love to see one. I just googled to see if they are even sighted in NJ, and apparently, they have been spotted infrequently but they seem to have been in south Jersey in coastal areas.
    The new blog header looks great!

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  56. hello David
    as always, the snowy owl is a highlight to see and observe such a beautiful bird in the wild is satisfying and a great experience... and yes, there are these "idiots" here in Germany too..
    Greetings Frank

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  57. How awesome to see the snowy owl!
    Love your new header.

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  58. Hello David,
    It is always a treat to see any owl, the Snowy Owl is beautiful. I also like your Ruffed Legged Hawk. Great collection of photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great new week!

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  59. Thanks to Linda you now have a beautiful new header!!!
    Loved the portrait of the crow! What a magnificent composition! And the buzzard...what a delightful surprise while traveling the road

    Glad to read you sighted your owl!!! How exciting

    Enjoy your week ahead and thank you for linking in at IRBB.

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  60. It was a thrill to see the Snowy Owl you mentioned in a recent comment on my blog, and I applaud the respect you show to the feathered ones that share the Earth with us. I like crows - we have both American crows and fish crows in our neighborhood. Sometimes the crows gather near sunset in trees along the creek in our neighborhood in winter to settle down for the night. I haven't seen it this year but I may just have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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  61. The owl is my spirit animal. (Long story). So I am totally entranced with them. I have made friends with crows in the past. Daily feedings and they were always respectful at the feeders in my old house. Last in line, they would literally queue up behind the juncoes and blue jays. Ladies and gentlmen. If you're on FB David you might want to check out Shawn Fitzpatrick and Randy Jenkins. Randy has tamed many birds on his quest to heal his PTSD and there is such joy in the little movies he posts of them landing all over him. This incredible trust brings tears..PS love the header.
    XO
    WWW

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    1. I am not on FB but my wife is. I will get her to bring them up. Thanks for the tip.

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  62. Bonsoir David.
    Voilà une bonne nouvelle pour vous, votre pèlerinage Owl a été bénéfique pour nous. La photo parfaite est un gros problème en hiver pour les espèces qui doivent économiser leurs forces et en été pour les nichées.
    Cette buse est merveilleuse.
    Gros bisous David.

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  63. Hello David, First congratulations on finding this years Snowy Owl. The Crows are indeed great birds. Here in Belgium the farmers hate them and claiming damage because of them. So they get permit to shoot them :( Your header is wonderful. And Indeed thanks to Linda.
    Here we have a week with some snow. But next week it will be gone because of higher temretures.
    Take care and regards,
    Roos

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  64. I love your new banner too and enjoyed reading this post. A Snowy Owl...WOW! That is quite a sighting! Hope you have a beautiful week. It's sunny and breezy here today.

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  65. Your new header was worth the trouble. It’s wonderful! We are enjoying our less common nuthatches at our feeder the last few days, the brown headed ones. Along with some over wintering orioles and bluebirds — what a treat. Glad you are making progress with the crows. The relationship will be rewarding.

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  66. A very lovely collection of birds. Congratulations on finding the Snowy Owl!
    Linda has done a commendable job with the appearance of your site. I especially like your Nuthatch header!

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  67. The Snowy Owl is a very impressive bird indeed. So lucky to be able to see one. I can only dream.

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    1. Even if you paid us a visit this winter, Adam, it might be hard to find one for you. I just returned from a visit to my daughter in Ottawa and in areas where we normally find several we were hard pressed to find one - a beautifully-plumaged female, but she was far off. Lots of Common Ravens were in the area and it made me wonder whether they were harassing the owl.

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  68. The snowy owl is a spectacular bird, it was certainly a moment of joy to have found it.
    Extraordinary captures, the last photo of the crow is fantastic.
    Have a great week.

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  69. Simply ace...... Snowy Owl, one of the wonders of nature.

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  70. So glad that the persistence of yourself and Miriam was rewarded with a snowy owl sighting, David. It is unfortunate that others are not as respectful of non trespassing as yourselves. Perhaps, you will be rewarded with another sighting soon. I do recall reading about crows being highly intelligent and they have been mistreated unfairly in many stories. Hopefully, you patience in trying to befriend them will repear benefits of more photos.

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