A Little of This, a Little of That

      Joy is not made to be a crumb.

Mary Oliver

     Having blogged about Cuba exclusively for the past month or so, other than for book reviews, there are various odds and ends in the files, and this post will feature a few highlights, with no set pattern or theme.

     First is a great picture Victoria took of Selwyn, Miriam and me at Algonquin Provincial Park. Victoria says, "You all looked so happy," - and indeed we were.

     An American Robin (Turdus migratorius) showed a distinct preference for a seed bell in our backyard, and became very adept at perching on it and feeding contentedly.

     It almost looks good enough for humans to eat!

     Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) is a very common visitor, and I thought that this image next to the Snowdrops was especially endearing.

      We have just this one small clump of Snowdrops, courtesy of the squirrels I assume, since we didn't plant it.

     For just a couple of days in March Pine Siskins (Spinus pinus) visited our feeders.

     Its close cousin, American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis), on the other hand, is a fixture.

     Similarly, rarely a day goes by without a visit from a Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis).

     The males are all in full voice, proclaiming territory and seeking a mate - and pleasing humans too!

     This female Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) would visit for three or four days in a row, and then disappear for a week.

     Only she knows the reasons why!

     Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) as a general rule visits our feeders far less commonly than White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis). 

     This year, however, for an extended period both species were in regular attendance.

     It is a bold little bird and when I was outside it showed not the slightest inclination to flee and would often perch within arm's length.

     In mid March, at Hillside Park in Waterloo, winter had not yet released its grip.

     Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) are hardy residents, and always a joy to come across.

     In the area shown below we have had success in the past in finding Barred Owl (Strix varia), but there was no such luck this time.

     It is about as sure as death and taxes that within a minute or two of setting foot on the Mill Race Trail in St. Jacobs, friendly chickadees will put in an appearance.

     They show no reluctance to feed from the hand.

     Eastern Chipmunks (Tamias striatus) have emerged from their winter hibernation and enliven our walks with their mischievous ways.

     It may be spring on the calendar, but there was still ice on the Mill Race.

     On your best day, do you think you ever looked as fine as this Mallard (Anas platyrynchos) drake?

     White-breasted Nuthatch may easily be found, often flocking with chickadees.

     It is equally confiding too and does not hesitate to take seed from an outstretched hand.

     If I were to create a "Can't Miss" list I would add Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) to the roster to form a trio along with the nuthatch and the chickadee.

     A male Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinensis) was excavating a nest hole, while at the same time keeping a wary eye on Common Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) anxious to wrest it from him.

     A Song Sparrow (Melopsiza melodia) was joined at the water's edge by a couple of female Northern Cardinals.

     It must have been Ladies' Day at the stream and they decided to take a bath together!

     An American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea) looked on, but was ill-inclined to join the fray.

     I think this male House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) felt the same way too.

     In the interests of fair play, having presented a male Mallard above, here is a female, and very beautiful she is too.

     On the way home, we spotted several Horned Larks (Eremophila alpestris), and while they can be frustratingly difficult to photograph, this one stayed in one spot for a few seconds and Miriam captured its portrait.

     All in all, not a bad collection of odds and ends from the file I would say.

Trivia

     Recently someone asked me about melanin and its function as it applies to birds. 

     Melanin has several functions but as it relates to avian plumage it inhibits the growth of bacteria, and contributes to the structural strength of feathers. It offers protection against ultraviolet light, and when individuals have a genetic disorder that inhibits the deposition of melanin, it leads to pale colouration in feather tracts, a condition known as leucism.