Wednesday, February 14, 2024

More Delights - Gustatory, Floral and Avian

     In our backyard the two most common species continue to be Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) and Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), both lovely, and both very welcome.



     Now I know that you all realize how difficult birding is, and the sacrifice we have to make to tear ourselves away to the outdoors, the privation and hardship we suffer, so we need a special consolation from time to time.


     Miriam's world-class focaccia bread had just come out of the oven, so what to do but dip it in a little mellow olive oil and balsamic vinegar. If a glass of wine (or two) should accompany the pleasure, then so much the better.
     It is an experience close to ecstasy, to that I can attest, and Miriam will join with me in bestowing on it her unreserved seal of approval. The Sua Maesta balsamic was a very kind gift from my good friend, Brian Smith, who purchased it while on a recent visit to Italy. It was so kind of him and we have become true aficionados of this sublime substance, whose origins no doubt hearken back to the hallowed halls of Roman deities. 
     Perhaps some of you know that balsamic vinegar originates in Modena, also the birthplace of Luciano Pavarotti, whose young voice was as sweet as this balsamic. One small city produced greatness on two entirely different levels, but both without equal.

02 February, 2024

     We took a little drive through the countryside on one of the few sunny days we have had. 
     Even at this time of the year, the local rivers have not frozen over.


     Incredibly, some optimistic people are already tapping for sap; never have I seen this activity so early.


     During the only cold snap we had all winter, when temperatures remained quite low for a few days (not even very low, but quite low), ice had obviously formed on still or sluggish water. Here is what it looks like when it breaks up.



     Mostly, however, it is tranquil, and achingly beautiful too.


     A Mourning Dove was content to catch a little sun.....


     ..... and a White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) went about its business.


04 February, 2024
At Home, Waterloo, ON

     I was amazed to see Snowdrops (genus Galanthus) blooming in the garden.


     I have never seen them so early - and they are in a sheltered spot too.
     A Seven-spotted Lady Beetle (Coccinella septempunctata) was active - equally a surprise at this early date. 


     This species overwinters in sheltered locations, typically under leaves or behind bark, in crevices, in garden sheds and other structures.
      Winter, such as it is, evidently holds new surprises for us. What is next, I wonder? Will it be as benign as a snowdrop, as delicate as a lady beetle on the snow? Perhaps better to brace yourself for something a little more serious, I say. Who knows what lies in wait? I'd be willing to bet it's not good though.
David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

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

63 comments:

  1. The most noticeable thing about this winter for us is the wind! How much higher can it be on a daily basis? The answer scares me.

    The bread looks delicious. Well done, Miriam.

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  2. ...yesterday at the park we saw snowdrops and winter aconite.

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  3. I love the looks of that bread, one of my favorite types of bread. Love those snow drops, too.

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  4. As always, you show lovely pictures, David. I have fallen in love with the Dark-eyed Junco. It's a very beautiful bird. I envy you the mild weather you have. There is hardly any snow in your place. Here it takes at least two months before it looks the same here. Snowdrops are one of my favorite flowers. They are so beautiful.
    Hugs and kisses, Marit

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  5. Hari Om
    Yeahh... winter seems to be trying to flex itself a bit now that we are supposed to be facing spring, just when the birds were getting frisky... That bread look delicious!!! YAM xx

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    1. That bread IS delicious. Yesterday we made sandwiches with it - sprinkle with a little balsamic vinegar, add carmelized onions, double cream Brie cheese and sliced tomatoes. It doesn't get any better!

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  6. That bread looks just delicious!
    Winter has certainly been changing here, too. Does not bode well.

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  7. Miriam's focaccia looks authentic and so good. Saw lots of snowdrops this morning when we took our daily walk...it certainly feels like spring today. Those river shots are amazing, David.

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  8. Nice drive and outing. Beautiful landscapes! Pretty captures of the Junco, Dove and Nuthatch! The bread does look yummy. Take care, have a wonderful day!

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  9. I am betting nothing good will happen weather wise or life wise. I can say that if the word Bread is in the item of food, I am IN. this looks and sounds delish. I thought of you this morning when I spied with my little eye a teen tiny bird, hopping in the sand pecking away. Since my Nikon died, i had no way to get a photo for you. could not get it with cell. the good news is, i got mad with the camera and manhandled it and it started working. hubby says buy a new battery, I say I did and what do you bet by the time it gets here the darn thing will have died again. it has a short or something in the swing out screen, the one i hate.... how is this for a happy valentine greeting. 😍😍😍

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  10. The focaccia looks delicious. I am trying to learn to like balsamic vinegars, and they are slowly growing on me.
    It has indeed been an odd winter. I have wished and wished that I had planted some lettuce, etc, in October because I think it would have survived quite well.
    Our yard birds are titmouse, nuthatch, wrens, downy and redbellied woodpeckers, with the occasional purple finch. And of course bluejays and cardinals.

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  11. Okay, the birds are all gorgeous, but Miriam's bread takes the cake today! I would love to taste it. Hugs, Valerie xxxxxxx

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  12. A delightful post indeed. The focaccia looks really good and the sandwiches you made sound divine.
    Happy Friend’s Day! :)

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  13. Miriam did a great job on the focaccia. The last 2 years our weather has changed dramatically. Cold in Jan., summer like weather in Feb., then our normal rain and wind then in April it freezes. That is very different for us. I have borage blooming, that is so not right. LOL Have a nice day today.

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  14. Yummy, yummy bread! And such lovely pictures of the winter landscape. Thank you for sharing them.

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  15. Spring is early or plants are confused. So are the maple syrup tappers

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  16. Would Miriam consider sharing her recipe? It looks delicious. Sap tapping is quite an enterprise around here though son in law hasn't started yet on our maple trees. He and daughter do it for their own use.

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    1. It's a bread machine recipe, Marcia. Do you have one?

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  17. Buena compañía, tienes en tu patio. Preciosa las imágenes que has captado.
    Un abrazo.

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  18. That looks like a fine wine and fabulous foccacia. What a great way to unwind after a tough day of birding and photography! Balsamic -- be still my heart. A really good balsamic is a total treat. Lovely sightings today and a ladybug too!

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  19. Came in looking for birds and leave looking for focaccia! That's a lovely food picture. It's one bread I've never baked. Noted!

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  20. Que bien sabéis quitaroa las penurias, así da gusto salir luego a pasra frío y captar loa pajeritos. Por aquí también se han adelantado algunas plantas más de un mes, lo malo es que vuelve el frío. Que guapa está la mariquita. Gacias David.
    Que paséis buena noche.
    Un abrazo.

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  21. Many thanks for all the fabulous photographs, I enjoyed seeing your sightings.

    Have to say it was Miriam's focaccia bread that took my eye, it looks absolutely delicious.

    All the best Jan

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  22. Beautiful river shots!....and that focaccia looks amazing!.........Abrazotes, Marcela

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  23. I couldn't finish the comment!....the page disappeared....I was about to say that even though the picture of the snowdrops is beautiful, the best picture is the focaccia....with olive oil and balsamic....mamma mia!!...Abrazotes, Marcela

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  24. We have more snow at my house, but I am jealous you have flowers coming up. I agree, better they come up in normal time frames, but still, it must be lovely to see them blooming. I now have many starlings who have found my feeders. That's new this week. But my juncos are still around, and they are wonderful little birds. And my doves (there's 3) are around year round. I enjoyed seeing your photos from your drive, and Miriam's focaccia looks amazing. Some warm bread would taste delicious on the cold and windy night we are having. You could still get snow I imagine. I'm sure some species are waiting for it. hugs-Erika

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    1. Juncos are generally here until early April. Delightful little birds.

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  25. Always good to stop here and see my old birding friends. Today, a junco and a nuthatch, especially. Thank you.

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  26. Ohhh, yes! how difficult life is, i see it clearly, guys!! I hope you have enjoyed an amazing Valentine's Day, among birds, bluebells and vaquitas de San Antonio, could anything be better?
    Also, this post has made me very hungry, for the love of God!!! Focaccia is my great love!

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  27. Snowdrops are sweet bulbs but get out of hand here, lovely to see them peeking through the ground and growing.
    Never heard of the bread, but it does look lovely, looked up the recipe and it must taste good too.
    The birds are beautiful as always.

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  28. Hello David,
    Here in Germany spring is coming fast, the snowdrops can be seen everywhere, the cranes and storks are already coming back and we are expecting 15 degrees this weekend... mid-February...
    Greetings Frank

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  29. lovely to see the first snodrops. Not here yet, too much snow.

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  30. Nice series of photos David,
    I love the Dark-eyed Junco and the Mourning Dove.
    The focaccia bread looks delicious.
    Beautiful surroundings there in the countryside, you have had some winter there but not very bad, that is also the case here, we have had a few days quite cold and a lot of wind, now it is already 11 degrees, the time is now 9.17 hours hours in the winter so no more.
    The seven-spotted ladybug indeed shows itself very early, where should it go in the future, the climate is changing very quickly now.
    The daffodils are already in bloom here, as are the winter aconite and snowdrops.
    I wish you a beautiful Thursday.
    Greetings Irma

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  31. Your leading piece got my juices running, David. I once visited, as part of a tour I was leading, a balsamic emporium in Italy. Some of the bottles had a three figure price-tag on them! One of my favourite balsamics is one that used to be available locally which was infused with fig - it made a fabulous salad dressing.

    It does look like you are getting the first signs of spring - as are we! It is a little worrying as the apple cart could easily be upset sometime soon. I saw my first butterfly of the year today - a bright yellow male Brimstone (Sulphur to you on that side of the pond).

    Lindsay's op went well on Tuesday and she is coming out of hospital tomorrow, or even later today.

    Best wishes to you and Miriam - - - Richard

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    1. Good news on Lindsay, Richard. Onwards and upwards from here.

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  32. Hello David:=)
    The delights of eating good food is one of life's simple pleasures. I can make a meal of bread and cheese any time, and Miriam's Italian flat bread looks delicious, with olive oil and balsamic vinegar all the better, of course wine is essential to accompany the meal. Lovely images of the Mourning Doves and Dark eyed Junco, and the snow scenes are beautiful. Have a wonderful birding holiday David, and safe flights. You will be missed but I look forward to seeing your Cuban bird photos, on your return.
    Take care my good friend
    All the best
    Hugs and xxxxxx

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    1. Good bread, good cheese, a glass of wine - heaven!

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  33. I love your special consolation. Sounds like a good excuse to me! The focaccia bread looks wonderful. Yum. Olive oil bread and cheese with a bit of wine..... What more could one ask for?
    Looks as though the sap tappers are having some success. My brother-in-law tried that on his maple tree last year but he has no patience so it was short-lived.
    Lovely snow scenes. I think we are nearing the end of them for this year.
    Our snow drops have been visible for probably almost a month now. Things are so confused. I was at the local nursery today and they're putting their pansies out.. We have had two nights in the 20s but I think this is the end of it.
    I have to agree. It's hard to be optimistic about the future.
    Does Miriam used a Canon camera. What model? It looks very much like mine. I love it!
    I hope you're having a good day. Enjoy your birding holiday.

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    1. Miriam's camera is a Canon PowerShot SX70HS. She has very deft fingers though, and a keen eye.

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  34. That bread looks amazing 😋
    Yummm!

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  35. Many good things in this post. The focaccia bread looks absolutely delicious!

    Dark-eyed juncos are common here, too, and lately we've had quite a few Downy Woodpeckers. It's a revolving act at the bird feeders.

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  36. Hi David - lovely to see the snacks at the ready to celebrate that delicious focaccia ... I can smell it over here (perhaps wishing wistfully!) ... cheers Hilary

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  37. Beautiful photos of the birds and a delicious bread from Miriam. Have a nice weekend !

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  38. Yum....I want some of that delicious looking focaccia, and who would have that without wine? Not me for sure. Fabulous pictures, so much beauty in nature.
    Sandy's Space

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  39. The focaccia looks amazing and is sure to be delicious.

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  40. The lack of a real winter in your area is concerning. While this year (and last) we have had our more typical winters of years ago, other parts are experiencing the opposite. And while we are having a rainy winter, it's no longer the Pineapple Express that brings the rain, but atmospheric rivers, and it pours and pours and pours. This winter alone we already lost so many old trees because the ground is so saturated that the trees just fall over. The world is out of balance.
    Miriam's focaccia looks delicious. Real aceto balsamico is so tasty and special and cannot be compared to the ones we can buy in the stores. The Italians keep the good stuff for themselves and rightly so. Good thing you have such a lovely friend!

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  41. Could it be that the early arrival of Snow Drops and Lady Beetles is a sign of an early Spring? One could only hope, right? The Dark Eyed Junco and Mourning Doves were ever present when I lived by the lake, but here I am, only 30 miles south and not a Junco to be seen. Mourning Doves on the other hand are frequent visitors year round here.
    I don't know how I missed it, but suddenly the gigantic tree behind you and Miriam in your header has caught my attention. What kind of tree is it and is the bulge a normal part of it's growth or is that secondary to an injury? It certainly is an impressive specimen :)
    Focaccia with Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar sounds delightful and home made with Balsamic Vinegar from Italy ... oh my, a gift from the Gods, I am sure. You make my mouth water and yet no such delicacy is to be found in my kitchen :( Yet another reason to make my way up to your area to join in one of you birding excursions.
    Winter is barren and bleak without a light (or even a deep) covering of snow when it becomes sparkling and beautiful. We live near the Fox River and it has, as yet, not frozen, though there are little off shoots that are covered in ice. Most years it has an ice covering that breaks up into big chunks and ends up, much like yours, adrift until they reach a place warm enough to melt them. Our winter has been mild except for a week of subzero weather that occurred while I was basking in the 80 degree weather of Thailand. Can't say I am sorry I missed it.
    My trip to Thailand was wonderful as was our trip to Australia. Stewart spent two days with us and was a learned and enjoyable guide. We lunched (at my request) at a Winery where I was able to purchase some wines of his choice for him (thank you for your suggestion). I will eventually be able to post some of the pictures of the birds of Australia that we saw on our outing. Sadly, as I mentioned in my post, many of my pictures were lost in transferring them to a new phone (my old phone stopped working ... wouldn't hold it's charge and kept dying) so I am struggling to put together what I have left. My camera, on the other hand, did well so once I am able to organize my pictures, I will be sharing them. I am guessing you have seen all of the birds I have pictures of on your visit to Melbourne.
    So I will look forward to whatever lies in wait for you as I am certain you will capture it (bad or good) on your camera. It is good to be home and back in touch with friends ... but I will, God willing, make my way back to Thailand and perhaps Australia again, as I know there is always more to see.

    Andrea @ From the Sol

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  42. Lovely photos as always, and the dipping of bread sounds heavenly. It does seem too mild of a winter so far, even with the few super cold spells. All of our early weeds are already blooming :) which is unusual. Who knows what will happen next.

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  43. Hi David,
    In the western part of the Netherlands you can hardly say that it has been winter, in the south a bit more with snowy conditions. It feels weird that spring is approaching , for instance when you see different kinds of flowers showing up already. The climate is clearly changing, permanently or temporarily. Enjoy the attractions of life :D)

    Greetings, Kees

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  44. Tapping for sap with plastic bottles does not look right. The pictures in our old textbooks always showed buckets, but I guess times have changed.

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  45. Halfway through the month and The Guardian tells us this February is on track to be the hottest (warmest, surely?) February ever. Not sure whether this applies to Canada, but the origins of this prediction are contained in forces a long way to the west.

    A transatlantic conundrum resurrects itself in your sentence "... temperatures remained quite low for a few days (not even very low, but quite low)" To wit, the deployment of the word "quite". I seem to be at loggerheads with your neighbours to the south who see it synonymously with "big" and/or "enlarged" or, at the very least, movement in that kind of direction. Brits tend to use it in reverse (more like "modest" perhaps) or - if irony is in the air - sneakily pejoratively. Indirectly characterised by Churchill talking about Atlee: "He's a modest man and has much to be modest about."

    "Quite" can also be a cutting rejoinder. Someone makes exaggerated claims and is rewarded by the single word itself. Implying that the listener regards what the claimant has said as utter rubbish.

    I like the gradations of meaning you flirt with. "Nice" in the old-fashioned definition of that word.

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  46. We've been seeing a lot of Dark-eyed juncos, too. We see mourning doves, too, but not near as many as even a couple of years ago. I haven't seen any spring bulbs blooming but we have daffodil leaves timidly peeking out of the ground in our front yard, which is a northern exposure. I've never seen this as early before. We've gotten out of the habit of eating a lot of bread but the bread with olive oil and balsamic appealed to me so please enjoy some for me. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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  47. Beautifully photographed, David. Beautiful winter images, but then a ladybug and the snowdrop.
    Also beautiful, but actually too early in the year.
    Can you tell that the earth is warming more every year ;-((
    Greetings Tinie

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  48. I'm glad, David, that you will have spring soon. Not freezing rivers will take away all the ice. How cozy you sit with Miriam and eat your own baked bread with butter!

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  49. the narcissus, also called paperwhites, in my sister's yard are blooming. daffodils have come up but only one bud so far. I've been seeing a lot of house finches on the bird feeder. spring was springing and then another cold front came through. currently in the 30s.

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  50. Por aquí también se está adelantando la primavera y mis árboles frutales están floreciendo, pero volverá el frío y no sé que tal le sentará a mis árboles. Me encantó ver lo bien que lo pasáis Miriam y tu. Abrazos para los dos.

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  51. Miriam's world-class focaccia bread looks divine, and with the olive oil, balsamic vinegar and a glass of wine, most definitely a gastronomic delight. I’ve made a note of the brand of balsamic as we do enjoy it and am intrigued by your description. Thoroughly enjoyed your bird photos and scenes from your drive, snowdrops and lady beetle. Thank you for sharing them and I wish you an excellent week of birdwatching.

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  52. Querido David el clima aquí también es demasiado cálido, este invierno a penas nevó ni en los picos más altos, asi que esto no es nada bueno. Hermosas aves visitan tu patio y eso sin duda es un lujo. En cuanto al pan es tan impresionante que me abrió el apetito, disfrutasteis de un merecido homenaje. Las fotos son espectaculares y luminosas, me encantan. Un fuerte abrazo para ti y Míriam.

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  53. Hi David,
    I love the Dark-eyed Junco.....
    This winter we have had about 24 hours a little bit snow.......And now the clematis have flowers already and the Cornus Mas (early bloomer) is now losing all its blossoms !
    I saw a bomblebee on tuesday, atleast a month early..
    Happy weekend,
    Big hug
    Maria

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