Skeins of Snowgeese

Collectivity they can be referred to as a blizzard, but I would much prefer the word blanket, for seen at a distance they appear like a blanket of snow lying in the field. Only the movement of a few flying above the stationary flock alert you to the deception of white when you first see them. Enroute on a recent road trip to Montreal, it was a pleasant diversion to see a 'blanket of snow' in the fields adjacent to the highway about mid-way during our long 823 km trip. This was a sighting I had been hoping for and as we stopped for a moment they arose from the field by large numbers, probably hundreds or so.

As they arose to the sky the skein of Snowgeese formed arcs and curves as they shifted about in changing patterns while crossing the highway and fields.One other species that we saw quite frequently were white phase Rough-legged Hawks. These were beautiful birds and they were often perched on a branch or post overlooking the highway. I shall have to check very soon in an area nearby where they can be found during the late fall and winter months in New Brunswick.

Our return trip was accompained by dark and cloudy skies showering us frequently with rain and enveloping us in fog for the latter half of our eleven hour drive. Its good to be back home again. Hopefully by tomorrow I will be back to regular posting and responding to comments.

Crossing Paths

Me, driving west, Snowgeese flying south.

note: posted from Montreal

White-breasted Nuthatch

This is a little bird that I used to get mixed up with a Black-capped Chickadee. The first time I noticed one around our feeders I thought it was a Chickadee but then I had that 'somethings not right here' question hovering in my mind. When you see a Chickadee and a Nuthatch together you will immediately notice that the White-breasted Nuthatch does not have the distinctive black chin of a Chickadee, but I had been just seeing the Nuthatch's black cap, white face and gray back.
Another distinctive feature of the White-breasted Nuthatch is the irregular patterned, rufus colouring on its underside. Their feeding habits are noticeably different too as in most cases you will see a Nuthatch feeding upside down! They often go head first down the branch or trunk of a tree, feeding on insects as they go with their long, pointed, slightly upturned bill.
This was another return this week of a long time seasonal resident of Bird Alley. Welcome back little Nuthatch!

Female Indigo Bunting: for Camera Critters

I had been looking at this little bird for a couple of days now and there seemed to be some sort of question hovering in my mind about it; but I wasn't sure what it was. We have so many drab looking female American Goldfinch around our feeders at this time of year that I had just assumed that's what it was. Yesterday though, it was all by its self, and I started to look at it closer, then I took a few pictures of it so I could really examine it closely, while at the same time looking through my bird guide books.I noticed that it had a faintly streaked breast, and Goldfinch don't have streaked breasts! Also its bill seemed larger than I had expected and its wing bars were not really as distinct as a female American Goldfinch's is and its eyes seemed a bit beady. Searching through Sibley's Guide to Birds (2000), (p-468,) I found its match!! It is a female Indigo Bunting. This is not a bird we have here frequently, or perhaps I had just not recognized the female before?

We have had a male Indigo Bunting visiting our feeders a couple of times but never for long and I have only gotten fleeting glimpses of this blue, handsome, male counterpart and just a couple of pictures of it.

This was a real treat to have discovered a female Indigo Bunting at our feeders on the last day of October. It was a great addition to my October Yard Bird List.

My appreciative thanks to Misty for hosting this site. To see other participant's photo contributions just click HERE or on the Camera Critters logo on the side panel.

Happy Halloween

I hope you enjoy my video of Halloween fun

Duck on Reflective Waters: for Watery Wednesday

I thought these photos of the lone duck on the dark waters of the pond fit in well for the theme of Watery Wednesday. My appreciative thanks to 2sweetnsaxy at her Eyes Mind Heart blog for hosting this theme.

Recent Feeder Arrivals

I have been able to add three new species to my October Yard Bird list within the past couple of days. This one above, a Yellow-rumped Warbler, arrived yesterday and I did a post on it for Ruby Tuesday which can be found below this post.
This little Red- breasted Nuthatch was a very welcome sight a couple of days ago but it is proving to be very elusive! I have only this one photo although I did see it again yesterday, but the sighting was only for a second before it darted away again from sight.
I wonder how many can figure out what species this bird is if I don't tell you? Why I ask is that the first time I had seen one, about eight or so years ago, I didn't have a clue and had a difficult time figuring it out. I've been waiting for this species to show up so I could put it on my October Yard List count for they often stop by each fall en route to more southerly locations. Its a female Red-winged Blackbird and it really doesn't carry many look-a-like clues to its male counterpart does it?
And then what yard report would be complete with another mention of my four footed friend, the White-tailed Deer. I noticed it visiting again yesterday as I glanced out the windows looking over our back garden area.

It was back and it had spied the berries of the Mountain Ash tree.

See the red berries in its mouth!

Yellow-rumped Warbler: for Ruby Tuesday

Its really quite late to see a little warbler but I wasn't really surprised to see this one; a Yellow-rumped Warbler flitting about among our High Bush Cranberry tree. Its often at this time of year when one has appeared almost every fall for the past few years so I have been waiting for one to turn up. I just caught a glimpse of it this morning, outside my kitchen window, perching momentarily on our truck, just long enough for me to see it flash its signature marking, its yellow rump! Later in the day it cooperated with me for a photo shoot among the beautiful red cranberries; just perfect I thought for Ruby Tuesday!
Welcome little warbler!
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To check out other Ruby Tuesday postings, just click HERE, or click on the Ruby on the side bar. My appreciative thanks to Mary/the teach for hosting this site.

How to Start Your Day With Wonder

How to start your day with wonder

Get up and look out the window
Gasp!
Grab your brush and run it through your hair
Quickly throw on yesterday's clothes
Hurry downstairs
Grab your camera and car keys
Rush out the door
Jump into your car
Its a very mild +10 so no need to clear your window's of frost
Drive down the road and around the bend and turn at the corner
Rush out onto the observation deck overlooking the river
Absorb the beauty
Relax and enjoy
Wow!!

Then heed the old saying
"Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning"
And return home and wait for the storm forecast for later in the day

Crow and Shadow: for Shadow Shot Sunday

My appreciative thanks to Harriet, the host of Shadow Shot Sunday for this interesting idea; for more information on this shadow meme,please click on the icon in the side bar.

Deer Under the Apple Trees: for Camera Critters

The scene of this contented White-tailed Deer resting under the Apple Trees bordering our property is beautiful, however I think part of its contentment has something to do with my empty bird feeders! And I think I know who emptied them!
I was just ready to step out onto our back deck to refill our feeders when glancing out the window, I saw this deer laying on our property under the apple trees. The frost on the grass and leaves really lightens the pictures but that's understandable as it's a really cool morning. My thermometer outside our windows was reading -6 below 0 degrees C. And that's cold!

The deer was not too concerned with my presence standing on the back deck but after a while it stood, looked about taking in its surroundings, then wandered off in an unhurried manner. My major concern in this sort of encounter is that the deer might become alarmed and run towards the road rather than head back to the woods, but this morning it headed in the right direction and wandered off towards the fringe of trees beyond.


My appreciative thanks to Misty for hosting this site. To see other participant's photo contributions just click HERE or on the Camera Critters logo on the side panel.

White-throated Sparrows

I always think this is a handsome little bird, a White-throated Sparrow. The sparrow count has shifted in Bird Alley and rather than there being a dominance of Chipping Sparrows the numbers have changed and we now have more White-throated Sparrows feeding here each day. Still making a daily appearance are a few Song Sparrows and some day soon Tree Sparrows will arrive from their northern breeding grounds and a few will remain, taking up residence around our feeder areas for the winter.

At the Mountain Ash U-Pick

Chipping Sparrow


Business as usual today at the Mountain Ash U-pick.

Starling

inviting red orbs
u-pick mountain ash harvest
back yard welcome sign

Autumn on the Marsh: for Watery Wednesday

I thought these photos of the marsh in autumn fit in well for the theme of Watery Wednesday. My appreciative thanks to 2sweetnsaxy at her Eyes Mind Heart blog for hosting this theme.

Seasonal Changes and Decorations: for Ruby Tuesday

This didn't look like a happy scene outside my window early this morning. A heavy overnight frost has finally taken its toll on my small, optimistic, Sunflower in the RED, earthenware pot, and the forlorn look on the face of my frosty, black, ceramic cat told me a story of a definite downswing in temperatures and chilly exteriors. The pumpkin purchased for a Thanksgiving decoration, has now become a marker for the rapid approach of Hallowe'en.
The beautiful, colourful leaves of the changing foliage is a constant reminder to us that this is a season of change, and also a season of movement for many birds. To acknow -ledge the large migration of birds to more southerly regions we created three, large, wooden Snow Geese several years ago to use as part of a seasonal outdoor decoration. This year we added some new coloured leaves to the ribbon around their necks before attaching them to the front of our garage.
This is a wonderful season to celebrate no matter what event you may choose to focus upon.
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To check out other Ruby Tuesday postings, just click HERE, or click on the Ruby on the side bar. My appreciative thanks to Mary/the teach for hosting this site.