Another sure sign of Spring Approaching: a Ladybug!

Yesterday morning I found a Ladybug on a window in my house which has a southwest exposure.  I slid a piece of paper under the bug to remove it from the window so that I could take a picture of it with my macro lens, thus  the reason for the printed words under the ladybug in the pictures.

A Ladybug is a rather delightful looking creature I think. I find the patterns of nature fascinating!!!
Last year I had found my first  sign of spring ladybug on March 5th, 2013; you can read about it here: http://naturetales.blogspot.ca/2013/03/some-red-in-nature-for-ruby-tuesday-2.html

Yesterday, A Day Full of Surprises!

I love these days leading up to the return of spring as often my optimism is rewarded. Yesterday I was hoping I might find ducks, but the river area I sought out was still frozen, but then I thought perhaps I could find robins, but the wild apple tree where I had found them last year at this time was denuded of apples.  So, I drove on and when I came to a road entrance where previous year I had found Snowbirds( Snow buntings), I decided to check it out.  And much to my delight I found a few Snowbirds along the roadside there.  

When they saw me, they flew up to the overhead wires  and posed for my camera! Next time I shall take my 400 mm lens with me, but these picture will  have to do for now

 .I continued on  my quest for finding some sign of spring and I found it!!!!!  Oh Happy Day, Pussy Willows with their beautiful white fluffy catkins in full view!

 

 Upon returning home I was so very happy with my morning, but the wonders of nature continued as around mid to late afternoon my husband spied bird activity around our bower in our backyard.

  This time I had my 400mm lens and although distant we were able to id the pictures as those of Bohemian Waxwings feeding on rose-hips in our backyard garden area.

  What a grand day it had turned out to be!  Hmmmmm What will today bring? I will keep you posted on today's developments and sightings.

Northern Shrike

It used to be every winter a highlight of Bird Alley was to  see a Northern Shrike fly in and perch among the branches, however we had not seen a Northern Shrike in Bird Alley since 2010, that is until yesterday afternoon!  I was sitting at my bay window that looks out onto Bird Alley watching the Team Canada/U.S.. hockey game and it was intermission time between the first and second period and I looked up and

 

 I saw a light grey colored bird on a branch and I said out loud, " Oh, a female  Evening Grosbeak", as that is what its size and coloring suggested to me.   My husband entering the room looked out and said , "No, and at that moment I realized I was looking at a Northern Shrike!   Luckily

there were no other birds around as the Shrike is a predator bird, carrying from its reputation the nickname of "The Butcher Bird".  It didn't stay long and I did not get many pictures.  Regardless of its disastrous reputation, the shrike is a handsome bird! 

                                                       

Black-capped Chickadees

                      Share your love and food on this stormy Valentine's Day with the birds.  Please feed the birds!!

 A Happy Valentines Day to all.  Sharing my love of Chickadees with you on this day!

Downy Woodpecker

The focus of today's post is this little acrobatic  male Downy

Woodpecker.  This little bird is a frequent visitor and the peanut feeder is his favourite choice to feed at.  As the feeder is low in peanuts and needs refilling this little bird is focusing his feeding at the bottom of the feeder this morning, showing off his versatility at feeding postures.  He is a handsome little bird with his attractive red patch at the back of his head, announcing to the world that he is a male woodpecker.
                     
Other birds at our feeders are Chickadees, Tree Sparrows, one lone Blue Jay and a little Red-breasted Nuthatch.  Its really cold out there this morning and we are awaiting a big snow storm which should roll in by this afternoon.

a Solitary Song Sparrow

So far today, all that I have seen at our feeders is this solitary overwintering little hardy Song Sparrow.  It is very cold outside today at a -26 degrees Celsius reading at our outdoor thermometer.  As my husband described it as he returned to the house after taking the garbage to the curb:" Its a face freezing day out there!"  Oh! oh! and my feeders need refilling, so for sure it is a lined blue jean day from my wardrobe for me.

I know that these three photos

all look alike but they are really three different photos.  I guess they show that this little sparrow isn't very active today.  The only part of it moving is its mouth

another street scene

Actually this street scene below may be a little deceiving as it is not a real street scene.  It is a sculpture found at Market Square at Saint John, New Brunswick.  There is actually a real person in this picture and he ( gender is a clue), just walked away from the group as soon as the photo was taken.
I am shaing this post with Donna's monthly photo challenge which is found at:
a personal photo challenge.blogspot.ca

Winter street scene for challenge

We had more snow on the weekend and this shovel was used extensively this time rather than the snow blower as the snow was so light.  As can be seen in the photo the sidewalk has already been cleared.  I used the handle of the shovel to frame the walker on the sidewalk.

I am posting this photo to Donna's monthly photo challenge, when each month Donna hosts a theme.  This month's theme is "street scene".  My entry is rather empty but it does reflect the appearance of the streets in my town often during this long, cold, snowy wintery season.  I prefer viewing this scene from my windows inside my home.  I am not a winter person.  
If you would like to contribute to Donna's challenge or view the entries of other bloggers you may find Donna's challenging blog by clicking on the link  shown below: or you may click on the icon for this blog found on the top of of the column on the right hand side of this page.  Have a great day everyone.

a personal photo challenge. blogspot.ca

A Nuisance Grey Squirrel!