Short Excursions

 07 January 2021

     We had been told by our good friend, Merri-Lee, that she had seen Red Crossbills (Loxia curvirostra) in the spruce trees in the small cemetery on Boomer Line, so we set off to see if we could emulate her success.

     The snow was pristine, dazzling white, and there were fresh snowmobile tracks indenting the surface.

     We were happy that these noisy machines were not hurtling across the fields to disturb the tranquility of the day while we were there.

     The cemetery is abundantly attractive to crossbills, but none were feeding there during our visit.

     It was not for lack of seed-bearing cones.

     Crossbills are highly mobile and no doubt have several favourite feeding spots. We will have to be patient it seems!

     Waterloo Region is agricultural in nature, with ample fertile land for cash crops, and this farm seemed frozen in time, waiting for the renewal of spring.

     Since we were out on a glorious day we expanded our search and headed off to areas where we have always had success finding Snowy Owls (Bubo scandiacus).

     It did not take us long to locate a beautiful, large female.

     She was quite distant, but still provided wonderful views.

     It was more than a little disturbing to see tracks heading off into the field.

     A small (I hope) minority of unscrupulous birders and photographers do not think twice about trespassing on a farmer's field, all in the quest for a closer look or a better shot. Some have been known to carry mice which they release so the the owl will be lured into flight - all to get that perfect flight shot. Of course, not all rodents set free are captured and the farmer is left to deal with the problem. 

     Apart from the trespass aspect, these owls are resting, conserving energy and should be left alone. Trying to convince some boneheads of that simple fact seems to be a lost cause. The hubris they spew in defence of their actions defies belief.

     Just before leaving for home we were delighted to see another female Snowy Owl perched on a post.

     I swear that I heard her implore us to come back, and we will be sure to accept her invitation to get together another day!

09 January 2021

     We had not seen Heather and Lily since before Christmas and we were all anxious to go for our Friday walk (socially distanced, of course).

     Lily changes so much at this stage of her life and she seemed to have become a "big girl" in the three weeks since we last met up.

     Heather really wanted to see a Barred Owl (Strix varia) so we chose to visit Hillside Park in Waterloo, on a mission to find an owl.

     And find it we did!

     It was actually Heather who first saw it, which was very fitting. 

     It is too bad that the tree where the owl roosted was bedecked with plastic trash, but such is the nature of human disregard for the environment as we know all too well.

     But nothing could detract from the regal demeanour of this denizen of the forest.

     We made sure that Lily saw it. She will not remember of course but she now reacts to many stimuli and no doubt enjoyed her first encounter with an owl.

     I know it's hard to believe but the owl didn't seem especially impressed with Lily!

     The words of Robert Frost sprung to mind as we walked through the woods - "Woods are lovely, dark and deep."

      Lily, as always was happy on the walk, and chuckled and laughed the whole time. 

     See you again soon, Lily!

     I could ask you all to vote for your favourite pictures on this post - Snowy Owl, Barred Owl or Lily. I think I know who might win!

    

Goodbye 2020 (maybe even Good Riddance)

     The year that will end in just a few hours has not been the kindest we have experienced and I suspect that most people will be glad to close the door on "The Year of COVID".

     For naturalists, however, life has been far more tolerable than for urban dwellers, especially those confined to small apartments, and in truth it has not been terrible for Miriam and me. We have certainly regretted the ability to get together with good friends, and we miss the opportunity to travel. But nature writ large, in all its ever-changing glory, is at our doorstep and we enjoy it to the fullest. We could gripe about the inconveniences that are now a part of our daily routine, or we can rejoice in the immutability of what pleases us most, and that is what we choose to do.

     If you were feeling a little constrained, a tad down in the dumps, what could perk up your spirits more than sharing precious moments with friendly Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus)? 

    And sometimes two or three are clamouring to make your day special.

     I feel a warm glow just from the memory.

     And if a Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) should happen along to join the party, more to the good.

     On the day that the above pictures were taken a glorious sunset accompanied us on our way home.

     It's pretty hard to feel down about anything with that kind of goodnight kiss.

     Right up until Christmas Eve we had rain, but overnight the temperature dipped and it changed to snow.

     Hillside Park looked quite glorious.

     A little snow does wonders for a winter landscape.

     A Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus) high above us would no doubt have agreed.

     It seemed out of camera range, but Miriam's shots show it well I think.

     A Black Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) has lived through winters past and was determined to guard his post.

     Miriam is a dedicated sewer (I think the term "sewist" is now used more frequently), and she was delighted to see this sign in the park, no doubt placed there with people like her in mind!

     Those sewers can be ornery at times!

     Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) are possessed of an infinite charm, and nothing is quite so appealing as this little bird going about its business, winter be damned.

     As long as we have open water Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) are equally at home in Ontario in December.

     A Barred Owl (Strix varia) has taken up residence in the park, but knowing it is there and seeing it is a different matter entirely. Our luck held out, however, and find it we did, quietly roosting, waiting for the cover of night to begin its hunt.

     Miriam's sister, Karen, was walking in the park too, unknown to us, so we were able to show her the owl.

     I suspect this was her first sighting of a Barred Owl and she was suitably impressed.

     This was our final species of the day and pretty special if you ask me!

     Snow, delightful though it is, and an integral part of the fertile land that is all around us, means that I have to shovel my driveway and the sidewalk.

     It is not a chore I really mind, but I have to confess that sometimes when it snows for days on end, and it needs to be done daily, it can get to be a little much!

     Here is a view looking down the street.

     This is the time of year for special treats and we made chicken empanadas with a yogurt/cilantro sauce - and they were delicious. New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs are just the wine to pair with such delights. Okay, with just about anything if you insist!

     The end of a year is a time for reflection, perhaps, and as I cast my mind over many experiences, I am truly grateful for the wonderful opportunities a love of birds has laid before me. My travels to many foreign lands have been a significant part of my enjoyment of life to the fullest, not only in the quest to see new and exciting birds, but to participate in the cultures and food of other nations. I have seen magnificent landscapes, spectacular mountains, wide rivers and tranquil streams, beasts large and small, jungles, forests, woods, and grasslands, and endured every climate this Earth can throw at you. I have met and enjoyed the company of many people from world-renowned ornithologists to the humblest of peasants. Each encounter has enriched me. We are all fellow travellers on this one planet that we share and differences of colour, religion, caste or economic circumstance should never be allowed to divide us. You are all my brothers and sisters.

     For the past eighteen years it has been a joy of immense magnitude to share my life with Miriam. She has been (and continues to be) the finest companion one could envisage and shares my love of nature, music, books and wine! Who could ask for more? 

     

 

   

Countryside Meanderings and Forest Royalty

A Pleasant Drive      

     A few days ago it was grey, misty, raining on and off, hardly the best weather for a walk but great for a drive out to the farming regions of Waterloo Region.

     These cattle had perhaps rehearsed their day's activity, for all were lying down, contentedly chewing their cud.

     Well, until one contrary individual decided to stand up, that is!

     Many trees have now shed their leaves and this denuded individual stood like a sentinel in the field.

     It will not be long before Rough-legged Buzzards (Buteo lagopus) begin to arrive in this area, down from their Arctic nesting ground, and we will be scanning the treetops for sight of this magnificent raptor.

     In two locations we saw fairly large flocks of Buff-bellied (aka American) Pipit (Anthus rubescens) but they were constantly in motion, and when they did come to earth from time to time, were immediately lost against the multi-hued substrate. Miriam did well to get this picture.

     While we were intently watching a group of pipits, we spotted first one, and then two Northern Harriers (Circus hudsonius). They were far off and constantly in motion as they quartered the fields in search of prey.

     There was no animosity between them, and while they did not appear to actually cooperate in their quest for food, they showed no sign that they resented each other's presence.

     Juvenile Northern Harriers closely resemble adult females, with minor difference, undetectable at the range we were dealing with, but I am wondering whether these two individuals might have been siblings still keeping company with each other prior to migration. Post-breeding Northern Harriers are known to gather in large numbers too, especially after arrival on their wintering grounds, so it is possible that these were two unrelated birds.

     In any event it was a pleasure to sit and watch these two hunters quartering the grass in that slow, rocking flight so characteristic of the species. One of them dropped to the ground and came up with something in its talons, probably a rodent, and flew off with it. 

     Just before we left the pipits and the harriers to carry on with their lives, the sun came out as though to cap our day, and the beauty of our province in all its autumnal splendour was a wonder to behold.

     It really is good to live in Ontario.

Hillside Park

     Soon you will be as familiar with Hillside Park as I am!

      Over time it has delivered many a special bird for us, and is always a pleasant place to walk at any time of the year.

     After an entire lifetime of birding, any owl at any time is a momentous sighting, and we were enthralled to see this Barred Owl (Strix varia) peering down at us.

     I have seen a good many Barred Owls over the years, but the sense of excitement at the encounter never gets any less intense.

     Owls, mysterious creatures of the night,  have been persecuted throughout history by superstitious humans who viewed them as agents of the devil, or as witches, or other forces of malevolence. We have ritually killed them, tortured them, burned them alive, destroyed their habitat, yet they have survived, all the while keeping rodent populations in check. Service to humanity is rendered despite our effrontery towards them.

     Thank goodness we are at least marginally more enlightened in the 21st Century. Not much mind you, but a little.

     Perhaps this regal female (I am pretty sure based on size it was a female) looked down on us with rightful disdain.

     Here we have a bike tossed into Laurel Creek. It seems we cannot resist dumping our trash where it doesn't belong. Let's pollute a few streams, toss away our disposable masks, throw our plastic water bottles into the grass - generally befoul our whole environment, knowing full well what we are doing yet continuing to do it. Of late the charming addition of used condoms seems to have been added to the items we hurl out of the car window in a couple of spots I visit (I resisted the temptation to show you a picture or two).

     "Yes," says that wise owl, "Those humans are something else!"

      No wonder owls try to keep to themselves. It sure beats hanging around with us.