Happenings of Late

      For the most part, winter is undeclared this year; occasional snow but followed by melting almost immediately. Strange weather indeed, uncharacteristic one might conclude, but sadly I think this is the portent of messy winters to come.

     In the backyard, Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) is our most constant visitor, always there at the crack of dawn, cheerful and appealing.

     Miriam's crows still come to visit her every day, expecting (and receiving) breakfast and lunch. 

     It is a good thing to share our world with crows.

     An American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) and a House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) demonstrated that once in a while they can get along without squabbling.

      Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) is both predictable and appealing.

     Perhaps this goldfinch was awaiting its turn at the feeder.

     I think it is a form of cosmic law that squirrels inhabit my yard, sent to challenge every ingenious solution I have devised to keep them from gobbling up bird seed, and routinely destroying feeders.

     I concede superiority to them, and have come to terms with their success.

     They are cute though!

     Driving through the countryside north of the city, we did have a bit of a snowy landscape.

     At this juncture in a normal winter, rural areas would be peppered with skating rinks and pickup hockey games on frozen ponds. We saw not a one.

11 January, 2024

The Linear Trail, Cambridge, ON

     Taking advantage of at least one day of decent snow, we joined Lisa, Selwyn and Victoria, and Jim for an exploration of the Linear Trail.

     

     The Grand River had welcomed many Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula).

     Numerous males were in a frenzy of activity, displaying and tossing their heads back, proving I suppose that it's never a bad time to impress the ladies!

     Occasionally, a small flock of them would fly by, and the sonorous flutter of their wings was music to our ears.

     Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is our largest and most spectacular woodpecker and it is always a moment of great note to see one.

     You will notice the hackberry tree loaded with berries and it was upon these high-energy morsels that the woodpecker was feeding.

     A Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) by comparison is a mere ball of fluff, seemingly vulnerable, but hardy and well-equipped to handle winter adversity. (See Winter World, (2003), Bernd Heinrich ).

     A Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) is not as dominant a figure as a Pileated Woodpecker, but is undeniably clad in a wondrous coat of many colours.

     It did get short-changed a little, however, when red bellies were handed out. A faint smudge of rosy hue is about all that you ever see.

    A Box Elder (Acer negundo) carried a copious load of its distinctive seeds.

     The nasal call of a White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) was a constant feature of the snowy woods, and often it was possible to see them going about their business.

     Winter is a beautiful season.

     And don't you ever forget it!