Ottawa Rambles

     We had twice planned a trip to visit my daughter, Caroline, and her family in Ottawa and had to cancel, so we were happy when it all came together from Friday 20 January through Monday 23 January.

     It was beautiful winter weather with a temperature hovering around minus two degrees most of the time, with bright sunshine. The forests were magical. 

     As you might imagine we spent most of our time outdoors.

21 January, 2023

Parc Lac Leamy - Gatineau, Québec

     It was a scintillating day and the sun played tricks with the light, creating starbursts through the trees.

     My grandson, Sam, had heard reports of a Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus) at this location, but we were unable to find it.

     It mattered little, however. The day was utterly perfect and it was good to be outside enjoying winter. 

     An encounter with White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) left us all with that rarified satisfaction that only nature can produce.

     We had been taking advantage of the deer trails throughout the forest, thereby avoiding trudging through deep snow, but the deer were determined to let us know that it was they who created them.

     There were few other walkers in the woods that day, but no doubt the animals are not unaccustomed to seeing people and showed little reluctance to approach us.

     The sheer beauty of these creatures is overwhelming, and the fact that they are able to make a living in deep snow is remarkable.

     For a brief time we were able share in their world, with respect and appreciation, grateful for the opportunity, recognizing that it is a privilege.

     How delighted do you think Mel (Sam's better half) was?

Picture courtesy of Sam Cudmore

     Caroline and I were blocking the path of the deer and it approached us (without hostility) to let us know that we were the intruders.

     It was determined not to give ground and we stepped aside to let it pass.

     It did not go far, however, and was soon joined by two others, a doe and a fawn of the year.

     To claim that we were spellbound would be the understatement of the year.

     Finally we walked on, leaving the deer to forage for slim pickings, to use their trails at will.

     A small group of Wild Turkeys (Melagris gallopavo) were almost as nonchalant as the deer.

     These hardy birds survive all that winter throws at them.

     What incredible experiences on a perfect winter's day!

     Mel had been suggesting sushi for lunch and we found a restaurant that suited us and enjoyed a great meal together.

Island Park Bridge, Aylmer, Québec

     

     We scanned the river, where several species of duck were far out, searching for Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica).

     There were certainly goldeneyes out in the rapids, but whether they were Barrow's or Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) we were unable to determine at the distance we viewed from.

     Sam took us to an area where he had seen Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio) occupying Wood Duck nest boxes (Aix sponsa) on previous occasions.

     Our luck was in! Even from a distance we could see that one of the boxes (at the left in the picture below)  had an owl peering out.

      Here is a closer look.

Akins/Fallowfield/Eagleson Road, Stittsville, Ontario

     This is an area where Sam and Caroline have enjoyed great success in the past searching for Snowy Owls (Bubo scandiacus). As I have reported earlier, however, they are as scarce this year as proverbial hen's teeth, and we were able to locate only one female, too far away for a picture unfortunately.

Parkside Greenspace, Nepean, Ontario

     A dedicated search for Long-eared Owls (Asio otus), a very difficult bird to find, turned up nothing, but we experienced great delight watching a Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) go about its business.

     We arrived back home just before dark, and decided that none of us were up for a big dinner, still feeling satisfied from out sushi lunch (Mel treated all of us by the way, little angel that she is). We had a glass of wine (or maybe even two) and snacked on cheese, salami, crackers etc. A fine repast it was and all that we needed. I think I heard Miriam say that perhaps it was even three glasses of wine.

22 January, 2023

     We went out again to search for Snowy Owls, but had even less success than the day before, not even finding one.

     The habitat was perfect and we put in the time, but it was not to be.

     A Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) was about all that we got for our troubles.

     

     We returned home to enjoy the rest of the day in the warmth of our family, and rejoiced in the enjoyment of our northern land.

     What a great visit we had.

I am linking to DV Artist here and Viewing Nature with Eileen here. Further links are to Wild Bird Wednesday and I'd Rather B Birdin'

Amherst Island and Ottawa

     For a couple of years, my oldest grandson, Sam, has been hankering to visit Amherst Island, but you all know what effect COVID has had on everyone's travel plans. Finally, with restrictions lifted a little we were able to make it there.

     Miriam and I travelled up to Belleville the previous afternoon to spend the night, before meeting my daughter, Caroline, son-in-law, Andrew, Sam and his girlfriend, Mel, the following day at the Amherst Island ferry. We were also joined by our friend and fellow naturalist, Wendy, who was visiting her daughter in Kingston, and took advantage of the opportunity to tag along with us to see what we could find.

5 February 2022

Amherst Island, Lennox and Addington County, ON

     Miriam and I were the very first in line at the ferry terminal and settled in to wait for the others to arrive. 

As it turned out the absence of information on the notice board should have provoked a few questions in our minds, but more about that later.

     As best I recall it was around minus 25 degrees and Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) and Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) huddled in a little open water near the dock.

A Snowy Ottawa Weekend

07 - 10 December 2018

     We drove to Ottawa on Friday 7 December to spend the weekend with my daughter, Caroline, son-in-law, Andrew, grandson, Will and other grandson, Sam, who has now moved out of the family home but who would be visiting with his girlfriend, Melanie, to have dinner with us on Saturday night.

     We had a perfect drive up to the Nation's Capital, experiencing only a brief delay on the final leg of the journey due to a vehicle collision on the highway. Even that incident cost us only about twenty minutes.

     Caroline prepared a great dinner and we were happy to catch up on each other's lives.

     We awoke on Saturday morning to a classic Ottawa winter weekend, with the early morning temperature registering minus 20°C, with bright sunshine and barely any wind. By mid morning we decided to take the dog (Nallah) for a romp through the woods near to Caroline and Andrew's house in the eastern suburb of Orléans. It was very pleasant indeed and I am not sure who enjoyed it more, us or the dog!

Miriam, Caroline, Andrew

     Nallah is an old dog now, but still with the heart of a pup, and she loves to gambol through the snow. She is truly a faithful companion, always looking back to make sure that her human charges are within view. 

     On Sunday, still experiencing glorious conditions we ventured a little further afield, to Gatineau Park across the Ottawa River in Québec. We had decided to do an approximately 5 km trail at the William Lyon Mackenzie King Estate, managed by the National Capital Commission.

     William Lyon Mackenzie King was Canada's longest serving Prime Minister, heading the government from 1921-26, 1926-30 and 1935-48. He is especially remembered for steering Canada through World War II and for the important role he played as an international statesman dealing with Winston Churchill of Great Britain and Franklin D. Roosevelt of the United States.

     

     Mackenzie King was a great lover of nature and the outdoors and spent every summer for almost fifty years on his 231 hectare estate in Gatineau. Upon his death the property was bequeathed to the people of Canada to be enjoyed by them for all time.

     It is a magnificent location with topography characteristic of both the Canadian Shield and the Boreal Forest, a landscape somehow imprinted into the psyche of every Canadian. In many ways it identifies who we are as a northern people.

     Walking through the woods on a crisp winter day in La Belle Province, one cannot help but call to mind that great Québec poet, publisher and songwriter, Gilles Vigneault, who wrote "Mon pays ce n'est pas un pays, c'est l'hiver," a song which has become a sort of unofficial anthem in Québec. 

     For a while I lived in Québec City, Caroline was born there and Sam is now living in Gatineau. We all cherish our association with this beautiful land.

     There is much to learn about the Mackenzie King Estate; buildings have been restored and history abounds. What is the story behind the ruins of this abbey?

     I had neither the time nor the inclination to find out, only wishing to embrace the outdoors, but I vow that I will, and much more too. We live in Waterloo, Ontario and our city has a connection to Mackenzie King, for it is here that one may visit his boyhood home.

     The woods were quiet as we explored their snowy solitude with barely the sound of a bird, sometimes the crunch of our boots in the snow being the only intrusion on the silence of the deep woods.

     The few leaves remaining on the trees, especially the golden foliage of the beech, were the only reminders of the riot of autumnal leaves so recently fallen to the ground and now buried deep beneath the snow.

     

        The deep croak of a Northern Raven (Corvus corax) caused up to look up as it coursed over the treetops. 

Northern Raven (picture from the internet)

     Caroline and Miriam often walked ahead, enjoying their time together in the great winter forest.

      As Andrew and I dawdled along behind, Caroline suddenly spotted an Ermine (Mustela erminea), but it darted away, and even though we could follow it, we were never able to get a picture, so I am relying on the internet to provide you with images of this delightful creature.

     It is a fierce and proficient hunter and when we last caught sight of it had a rodent of some kind in its mouth.

     In former times these animals were trapped mercilessly for their fur which was used to trim the capes of the European aristocracy and its religious élite.

     The chatter of Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) suddenly attracted our attention as we searched in vain for the Ermine which had removed itself from the scene.

      These little charmers are the familiar companions of winter and survive even the harshest of conditions. It always brings great pleasure to enjoy their company.

       This outcrop of granite was barely visible beneath its coat of snow.

  

     The splendour of the forest was visible at very turn.

     Andrew stopped and kneeled down to get the best possible angle for a photograph. Caroline was no doubt offering words of encouragement.

     Nearing the end of the trail we heard the nasal call of a White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) and it did not take long to find a bird. (Pictures from our archives).

     It had been a splendid walk, enjoyed not only by us, but by numerous other outdoor Canadians too, both walkers and cross country skiers. Many were families with young children being introduced to the essence of their country. I think at times we fantasize about living in a climate with year round warm weather, a place where you need never wear a toque or gloves, but I think if push came to shove, we would all confess to being pretty happy where we are.

     Vive Le Canada! Vive Le Québec! Vive La Neige!

Easter Weekend in Ottawa

Easter Weekend in Ottawa

Petrie Islands Park

    We spent Easter in Ottawa visiting my daughter, Caroline, son-in-law, Andrew and two grandchildren, Sam and Will.

    During our time there we meandered through Petrie Islands Park three times to do a little birding. When Sam and Will were quite a bit younger we had visited the same location in January where we were able to show them their first ever Great Grey Owls Strix nebulosa.

    Given the severity of the recent winter and the huge amount of snow deposited, none of which ever melted during the cold months, it was not surprising to find a good deal of the park under water.

    There was a wide variety of bird life, however, and given fairly warm temperatures, it was very pleasant indeed to explore the various habitats enjoying both the auditory and visual sensations of spring migration. All of the trails were submerged but we managed to pick our way through the woods without even getting our feet wet!

    Numerous male Song Sparrows Melospiza melodia trilled from high perches, proclaiming territory and advertising for a mate, while periodically descending to ground to find food.

    American Robins Turdus migratorius probed among the leaf litter, tossing it aside vigorously to find whatever tidbits lay concealed beneath.

    The activities of American Beavers Castor canadensis seemed to be everywhere, with many more trees being accessible due to the flooding, but given their nocturnal habits we never actually saw an animal.

    Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers Sphyrapicus varius have returned in good numbers and this male had chosen the metal post of a parking lot sign from which to drum and announce his availability to any interested female.

    In the following picture you can clearly see the nictitating membrane being drawn across the eye as a protection against flying bits of debris.

      Muskrats obviously found the submerged habitat much to their liking and they were easily found going about their business. They seemed to have no difficulty finding new sources of food on what would normally be dry ground some distance from their watery haunts.

     It was a very pleasant surprise to find numerous Rusty Blackbirds Euphagus carolinus, a species that has experienced very serious population declines in recent years. Usually this is a bird I am able to find more easily in the fall; it is rare that I see them in the spring.

    Both Golden-crowned Kinglets Regulus satrapa and Ruby-crowned Kinglets Regulus calendula were present, but we were only able to photograph Golden-crowned as they flitted around in constant motion.

    As might be expected Mallards Anas platyrynchos wasted no time in exploiting the abundance of new habitat, entirely suited to their needs.

    Eastern Garter Snakes Thamnophis sirtalis have emerged from their hibernaculae and this handsome individual was very cooperative in terms of being photographed.

    We heard Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus several times and saw one briefly as it flew from a tree deep into the woods and out of sight, but evidence of their activity was not hard to find.

    Several amphibians were seen, but this Northern Leopard Frog Rana pipiens was the only one that permitted a photograph. Others dived into the frigid water and submerged instantly.

    All in all it was a fine place to visit and there were many people walking around and enjoying the first promise of spring after a long and arduous winter, the worst in living memory in many parts of the country.

    Caroline, Andrew, Sam and Will look quite content to be enjoying some fresh air and sunshine.