A Deer Along the Roadside

Having decided to take a seldom used old road through the woods to connect to the highway, we were rewarded with a beautiful sighting of a lone White -tailed Deer along the roadside. At first we did not immediately see it as its dark colouring blended in with the darkness of the tall evergreens bordering the road. This woodland creature stood and watched the slow approach of our car before disappearing into the surrounding woods.

European Starling

This European Starling has found the suet feeder in our bird feeder area and although it is difficult for it to maintain a stationary position to feed from; it still manages to get some food. Here the Starling is keeping its wings in motion for balance and positioning as it feeds on the homemade bird suet.

Portrait of a Sharp-shinned Hawk

My first sighting of a Sharp-shinned Hawk in our feeder area occured this week. This red-eyed, hooked beak, handsome plumaged accipiter perched in our High Bush Cranberry tree and surveyed its surround -ings. Not having located any small birds to pursue in the area; after a few moments it left.

Eight White-tailed Deer

After having driven over a few back country roads hoping to see some White-tailed Deer, and having found none, I decided to return home. However enroute home, much to my surprise and amuse -ment, I found eight White- tailed Deer standing in a driveway in the center of a neighbour- ing village; looking at me as I cruised by.

Mallards in Open Water

There wasn't a whole lot of open water at Lily Lake today for these Mallards to swim in; but they all crowded together making use of what there was, creating a colourful sight.

A Deer in the Winter Woods

Dark Morph Rough-legged Hawk

I recall the first time that we saw a dark morph Rough-legged Hawk; it was sometime in the early 2000's. We had been birding on the Tantramar Marshes, along the High Marsh Road, and we kept seeing Crows (or so we thought initially) that somewhat confused us a bit. These birds that we saw at a distance seemed to look like large Crows and they were black; but what mystified us was that whenever they were in flight we kept getting glimpses of white on their underwings! Luckily for us, later that day, along came a friendly birder and solved the mystery for us by introducing us to the species of the dark morph Rough-legged Hawk.
editing note: Other postings on Rough-legged Hawks can be found at:
http://naturetales.blogspot.com/2006/12/rough-legged-hawk.html
http://naturetales.blogspot.com/2008/01/rough-legged-hawk-at-maugerville.html

Purple Finch at Feeders

We haven't seen this finch species at our feeders often this winter so it was a very pleasant sighting today to see a male and female Purple Finch perched in our old Wild Rosebush. The reddish branches of the Wild Rose accent the striking rose-red colours of this handsome male seen in both pictures here.

Northern Shrike

I have only seen one Northern Shrike this winter and that was in mid-December. Usually we have several sightings in our feeder area each year; however, none so far this season.
For another posting on Northern Shrike go to:
http://naturetales.blogspot.com/2007/03/i-have-only-had-two-northern-shrike.html

Birds in the Late Afternoon Sun

The beauty of the Song Sparrow to the right and the White-breasted Nuthatch below is enhanced as the strong, yellow rays of the late afternoon sun highlight their presence in our feeder area.

Black-capped Chickadee

One of our most faithful and regular of winter visitors; this little Black- capped Chickadee finally found the bird food mixture I had placed in the middle of this evergreen wreath for it. Other daily regulars at our feeder area this winter are: Blue Jays, American Goldfinch, American Tree Sparrows, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, Mourning Doves, one Song Sparrow, and one White-breasted Nuthatch.

Song Sparrow in the Snow

This little Song Sparrow should have been long gone but it seems it has chosen to spend its days at our feeder area. It has been several weeks now since I have noticed it almost daily and perhaps it will over-winter here although now that we have snow on the ground it might consider heading a bit further south.

Goldfinch Feeding

My first glance out onto our feeding area yesterday morning, to check the status of the approaching storm that had been predicted, rewarded me with the sight of a large group of American Goldfinch in the trees, feeding at the several feeders, and on the ground also. They were everywhere. The niger seed feeder was in constant use. They were also aware of the coming storm and were preparing themselves for it as well.

Sky Forecasting

We have had many beautiful, richly coloured sunsets recently and last evening I was hoping to see somewhat the same forecast in the skies: 'Red sky at Night Sailor's Delight'. However, as indicated by the banded alto- cumulus (aka: 'Mackerel Sky' ) I saw late yesterday afternoon, the weather forecast for today on the weather news will probably hold true and a winter storm will develop before the day is through.

Snow Buntings

Although we have no snow I have been looking for them; these white Snow Buntings, these harbingers of winter.

How appropiate
that
my
first
sighting
of them
is on
this;
the first
full
day
of
winter!

light juvenile Red-tailed Hawk

While searching for Rough-legged Hawks along hwy #105 we had pulled over onto the shoulder of the highway and were scanning the fields to our left. Having seen no activity I started to pull back onto the highway when my spouse shouted," Stop!". For to the right, just beside us, only a couple of meters from our car, was a light juvenile Red-tailed Hawk sitting on a branch! With the window quickly rolled down I was able to capture a couple of pictures before it flew away.

Rough-legged Hawk

Having heard reports of Rough-legged Hawks being present along highway 105 near Sheffield we decided to go searching for them and we were not disappointed. This handsome light phase Rough-legged Hawk stood alertly on the roll of hay before flying low over the field to continue its hunt for prey. Its difficult to count the actual number of hawks seen for we are never sure of how many repeat sightings we are counting but we saw at least three different hawks yesterday
and maybe more.

editing note: Other posts on Rough-legged Hawks can be found at:
http://naturetales.blogspot.com/2008/01/rough-legged-hawk-at-maugerville.html
http://naturetales.blogspot.com/2007/01/dark-morph-rough-legged-hawk.html

Wearing Their Name

Fleeing across the field into the nearby woods these White-tailed Deer show the obvious origin of their name.... White-tailed

Autumn's End

Tho the winter solstice is not until December 21st it seems that autumn has been long gone. While walking through the woods and reflecting upon the changes I saw around me; I had these thoughts on the ending of one season and the beginning of another.Needles of pine quilt a soft warm blanket using
hushed hues of faded browns and yawning yellows
as Autumn prepares its winter bed

Northern vagabonds of wind and snow
whistle a warning lullaby of winter's approach
and Autumn falls asleep upon a soft white pillow

copyright: f.g
me and my camera

to view another seasonal writing piece please go to:
http://naturetales.blogspot.com/2007/03/welcome-to-spring.html

Bald Eagle

Yesterday I had planned on driving to a community some 12 miles or so away to see if I could find some Snow Buntings that frequent that area each winter. However, before I reached my destination I noticed a large bird at a distance, circling high in the sky and I thought it might possibly be a Turkey Vulture for it had a wide, black wingspan with fingered wing tips and I have seen them in this area before. Checking with my binoculars though, I saw the bird had a white head and tail and I knew I was looking at a mature Bald Eagle. It remained vey high and distant and I could only get a fleeting impression of the bird as it continued its circling and gradually faded from my sight. I deciding to return home and leave my intended search for Snow Buntings to another day. I was almost home when I saw the Eagle again, this time, although still very high, it was directly overhead. Another opportunity! I leaned alongside my car for support and aimed upward and was able able to capture a few pictures before it soared away.

Rock Pigeon

This solitary, white Rock Pigeon (aka: Rock Dove) was sitting on the very top of a silo yesterday and as I drove by I just knew I had to stop and turn around and try to get its picture. And that is what I did for a white Pigeon is not a common sight. I would really like to get a much closer photo to see the feet and eye colour of this pigeon. I think I have caught a glimpse of this bird before for I recall a few impressions of having seen an all white, fairly large; pigeon sized bird quickly disappearing from sight. Once this happened in our own feeder area. But for now I will just enjoy the beauty of this dove from a distance and hopefully will get another photographic opportunity another time.

Mourning Doves

Mourning Doves are with us all year long. Sometimes their numbers are large, numbering up to 29 or more in our feeder area. Before I started to really take note of birds I thought the spelling of their name was, Morning Doves, for that is what I had heard people call them. Then one day in my back yard about eight years ago, before I was an avid bird watcher, I kept hearing their soft, repeative, cooing sounds surrounding me and I suddenly understood their name; Mourning Doves!

Gray Squirrel Visitor

Precariously agile, quick footed and nimble; Gray Squirrels often put on a display of acrobatics that one can only marvel at. Although I would prefer that these unwanted visitors didn't gobble up so much food that is intended for birds at my feeders; these furry creatures often make me laugh and provide much amusement when I watch their sure footed antics from my window.

To view other postings on a Gray Squirrel go to:
http://naturetales.blogspot.com/2006/10/gray-squirrel.html
http://naturetales.blogspot.com/2007/02/brrr-will-spring-be-here-soon.html

American Goldfinch

Our first major snowfall fall today found many American Goldfinch feeding in our bird feeder area. These little birds are frequent visitors and their numbers have increased over the past few days. We expect to continue seeing them at our feeders daily throughout the coming winter months.

Birch Polypore

I'm sure many have noticed these bracket fungi at some time or other on Birch trees. Birch Polypore are commonly seen on dead Birch.

Burl Wood

This is the time of year when there are many craft shows and Christmas bazars and often you can find a table displaying beautiful wood turned bowls created from unique wood formations that are made from burl wood.

I suppose I have walked by this tree along my favourite walking trail hundreds of times but had never taken a picture of the huge burl protruding from its trunk before. However having seen some beautiful wooden bowls at a craft table just last weekend, I thought it worthy of mention.

A burl is an abnormal growth on a tree and is often prized by artists and wood crafters for its uniqueness of growth patterns and rings that it may hold within. (editing note: the above photo to the left was added to the original posting when found and photographed on Dec. 11, '06)