A visit from a Baltimore Oriole

What a lovely surprise yesterday afternoon to come home to see a handsome male Baltimore Oriole feeding at our oriel feeder.   I only had a back view initially but then put out orange slices for it to feed on

                                              Then I put out some orange pieces and in only a moment the Oriole had returned!

    eating oranges!  yum, yum!!

A Fox Story

 On Friday morning I was following warbler sounds from tree to tree. I kept hearing warbler songs but I didn't see any warblers.  Then I turned suddenly to my right and I saw the movement of an animal diving into the ground.  My first thought was" groundhog" as I had often seen groundhogs in the area where I was standing.  but, no, that didn't seem right as the body of the creature did not appear to be as solid and hairy as a groundhog would be.  What I saw was softer looking and supple looking. So I trained my camera on the hole where the unknown creature had disappeared into.  I could detect slight movement and I  then realized that something was looking at me.  It was as curious as I was. If you look carefully around the center of  the picture below you might be able to see two little ears on a rounded head as I did, and I then concluded, a baby fox!.  There had been a den in this area before.  And the ears triggered a flashback of something furry diving into the hole  just a few moments ago,there in the ground before me!

So I felt determination set in and I just had to see a fox or foxes, and so yesterday as my husband and I set out for a walk through a  nearby wooded trail looking for warblers, I suggested to my husband that we walk by the hole ( den) in the ground.  Our timing was perfect as we saw an adult fox ( presumably Mama Fox) leaving the den area. We were all very curious   and very quietly watched each other.  Mama soon left after checking us

out.  I was surprised she left as perhaps her babies could possibly be in danger from us.

 But don't worry Mama Fox, you haven't seen the last of me.  I just have to see your babies and you are in a location that I walk by daily, so I will be hopefully checking out you and your babies again!
I will only be carrying my camera and my  walking cane as I stroll by your home, for after all you are located very close to my home, only less than a distance of a half of a city block away.,  May you and your family fare well over the next few weeks.  And Mama, please do not decide to visit us or our cat that loves to roam around outdoors.  Shakey, our cat will not be allowed to stay outdoors overnight  during the next while because you are probably a very good hunter and you and your kin have a reputation of being foxy, sly and dangerous!  I enjoyed taking pictures of you Mama. Take care and tend your babies well.  I do not pose a threat to you and your family!

Warblers are back!

I was starting to despair of not seeing any warblers since we had heard news of various sightings elsewhere in the province until Thursday morning that is. I was standing at our dining room table when suddenly

I saw  a Chestnut-sided warbler looking in the window at me!  What a sweet moment and what a sweet bird. My husband came into the room and I said "Look our first warbler and he immediately identified it! This little bird stayed for quite a while!

From several of the pictures you can see where it gets its name Chestnut sided warbler. Its quite a distinctive looking bird and I love its yellow head!  
Yesterday morning I decided to go to the edge of a close-by old stand of Pines looking for a warbler.  I immediately saw movement high up in a tree and so I directed my camera in that area.  I was pleased with my photos when downloading them when I was back home.  I hads found a Black and White warbler which was quite easy to identify.  Its markings were quite  stand out distinctive and I loved its white eye ring!  Warblers have such delightful colours and patterning.  I am anxious to find more warblers over the weekend!

 

The white eye ring was very evident!

              Its beautiful wing spread showed its distinctive markings very well.

  This photo shoot opportunity  offered many different poses!
I am linking this morning to Eileen's Saturday Critters which can bew found at:http://viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.ca/

Eagles seen along the Oromocto River.

I am usually lucky each morning to sight an Eagle or two along our river.  It is at this time of year when activity picks up at this location,  At this location in the river are some rapids or falls which have become known as the Gaspereau Falls.  Gaspereau are fish ( sometimes called Alewives)that return upstream in this river to spawn.  These spawning fish have been spending their time in the ocean.  During their upstream journey the Gaspereau encounter the rapids or falls in the river here.  They struggle, swim or jump  out of the river to overcome these falls.  Also at this location are waiting gulls  looking for a feast of Gaspereau.  Also gathered at this location are Osprey, Cormorants and Common Mergansers.  and Eagles.  When the Gaspereau run begins there is often a lot of activity to be seen in the river at this

location.  Almost every day I can find an Eagle perched in the trees along the river.

 

Today when I went to the river early in the morning I found an eagle perched in a tree as I was expecting.  However the eagle did not stay there long as a Crow soon came along and started chasing the eagle.  Midway during the chase the Eagle did a slight turnabout in mid air and it looked like he was yelling at the crow.  we can imagine what the Eagle might be saying.. Like  " Get the H... out of here and LEAVE me alone!"  However the chase continued until the eagle found another safe haven in the branches of another tree.

More adventures along the river will continue tomorrow!

Savannah Sparrows

I haven't seen a savannah Sparrow for a few years until yesterday!  What a welcome sighting this was!!

 I have watched for those beautiful yellow lores every spring!  and yesterday was reward day.

Ring-necked ducks for Saturday Critters

I am still fortunate in seeing ducks almost every day!  Earlier this week I found a small group of ring- Necked ducks in a small roadside pond. They took off almost immediately and I was lucky enough to capture their pictures as they rose upward in flight.

 

I am linking this morning to Eileen's Saturday's Critters at:

http://viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.ca/ 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Another Wonderful Spring Day!

I would recommend that everyone plant Crocus bulbs in the fall, as it is so exhilarating to see their beautiful blooms at this time of year.  Presently we have three beautiful blossoms

and there is more to come as the snow continues to melt!

The first surprising sighting to see yesterday morning was an Osprey on top of an old nest high on a power line as we left the village.  Its timing is perfect as the river is now open.

 Our next stop was at Oromocto and we saw Cormorants in

 the river there as well as Canada Geese and Mallards ducks.

another surprise awaited us as we returned home!  Three or four Red-winged blackbirds in a birch tree in our yard!

Also at our feeders was

a male Brown-headed Cowbird and White-throated Sparrows

A beautiful Junco perched on a branch in the full late afternoon sun with a shed roof of our neighbours as a colourful; backdrop.

Later in the evening this nuisance Raccoon showed up to feed on dropped seeds under a feeder.

Finally spring!!!

The title to this post might seem strange to you as the calendar start of spring is long past: however the past few days have been wonderfully warm, the snow is melting fast and the ice is going out of the river.  Yesterday morning began with the sighting of two little migrant sparrow species at our feeder area!  How colourful and welcome they were!:  A Fox Sparrow and a White throated sparrow:

We also had two other sparrow species in our feeder area yesterday:  Song Sparrows and a lingering Tree Sparrow.  Other returning migrants to Bird Alley was a pair of Brown-headed Cowbirds.

 

Above, A Northern Flicker

 

During the morning I went for a drive as I most always do; looking around the countryside  for birds or animals.  I found many ducks and Canada Geese at Hoyt where the fields are starting to fill with large pools of water from the melting snow.  I found a wonderful, colourful surprise there: A Northern Flicker. Also in the Hoyt area there were many Tree Swallows busily hunting for insects above the watery fields.

Upon returning back home we found a black-masked, ring-tailed, furry, unwelcome critter hunting for seeds on the ground in our feeder area: A raccoon.

And although I had checked our garden area for new growth in the morning, I had failed to notice the 

beautiful purple beginning of a crocus which I had found last evening, I  eagerly await its beautiful unfolding later on today!

also there were lots of Daffodil sprouts , whose beautiful blooms I will anticipate sometime to be in bloom during the month of  May.
Yesterday was a most beautiful spring day and I anticipate today to be as equally wonderful.  Hopefully you are having somewhat an equally beautiful spring experience wherever you are.

Great Horned Owl

I feel just a little uncomfortable posting the picture of this great Horned Owl as this owl has been the center of a  lot of concern and controversy recently among members  of the birding population  .. The owl is nesting on an old Osprey nest and several members of the public have learned of her presence there and have been approaching its nest attempting to take its picture in flight as it is frightened off of its nest, thus temporarily leaving its eggs that it has been incubating, This action could  endanger the success of its nesting.. Yesterday we were in the area and hoped to see an Osprey and knew the location of several old nests.  (We did see one Osprey).  We were miles from where we assumed the nesting owl would be when we spotted an old Osprey nest that we knew of . We could see the old nest from the highway and as we drove past it, I saw a lump in the middle of it!  We backed up  our vehicle until we were more lined up to it from sitting in our truck on the highway. ( we hoped it was an Osprey on the middle of the nest.)  As I focused my 300 mm  camera lens on it, from  sitting in my truck seat with the window rolled down, I could see its ears and immediately knew it was an owl!! The owl remained on its nest while we viewed it through my camera lens without leaving our vehicle.Obviously it was  the nesting owl that we had been hearing about! I could also see many footprints leading into the nest area from the highway's shoulder. I am not good at judging distances  but it would be quite a little walk into the nest.

 NEVER  disturb a nesting bird( owl) !!  If you are in doubt as to your expected behaviour when encountering a nesting bird I have included here, a url which will take you to a website of the American Birding Association which explains  the Principles of Birding Ethics for you to use when birding:  http://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html

 Have a grand day everyone!  Happy  Birding!

A Drinking Deer for Saturday Critters

Earlier this week we had to go to Keswick, a yearly visit to our accountant. we always anticipate this trip, hoping that we will find a huge flock of Canada Geese there as we often do, but that was not to be this year.  Maybe next week when we make a return trip .... However we did find something special at Mactaquac.  Seeing a bit of open water in the distance I assumed we might find a duck there, which has been the case in the past.  Not a duck but a White-tailed Deer drinking at the edge of the water!  It looked rather precarious and we hoped that the deer had sure footing or that its weight did not break the ice at its edge causing it to fall into the water.  As we watched all went well as the deer continued to drink until it wandered off into the woods again.

Let's take a closer look at this beautiful animal!

And as it seemed to have had drunk its fill, the deer wandered off towards the woods.  All is well that ends well!

I am linking this morning to Irene's Saturday Critters at:
 http://viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.ca/
Have a nice weekend everyone: We are anticipating some warmer temperatures in my area over the next few days!

Canada Geese and Wood Duck

Early this morning I drove to my only open water area that I know of up to now, Hoping that I might see some ducks as I had a couple of days previous, my eager camera was rewarded with views of four Canada Geese and one male Wood Duck and one male Hooded Mergansers.  The Wood Duck and Merganser are both such handsome ducks !  I was so happy and surprised to see them there!.  I had planned on returning to the same location this afternoon, but I was detained, so a return visit is now scheduled for tomorrow morning.  Here are  few of today's treasure photo 

sightings:

 

And lastly, ( below) but not least, a handsome maleWood Duck:

 Tomorrow morning I shall post the photos of what I have found, and I am hoping it will be fresh photos of geese or ducks.