Nature At My Doorstep

Bunny Trail

2012-01-20T15:36:00.000-08:00

We noticed these tracks the other day. They are everywhere. We have often wondered if our little rabbit friend was still around. It is very rarely that we see him/her.

It Is Freezing Here

2012-01-19T09:49:00.000-08:00

Thursday, 19th -
8:12 a.m.
Temperature: -32C
Sunrise

Sunrise

As I sit at the computer, the sun streaming in through the frosty window pane feels hot on my shoulder and neck.

Wednesday, 18th -

-32C as the day began. The birds (chickadees, redpolls, grosbeaks) arrived at the feeders just after 8:00 a.m. Thank goodness for the sun. And a cosy fire.

Tuesday, 17th -

It is another very cold day here in the central interior of the province. The poor birds!

Monday, 16th -

There is an arctic chill to the air. It was -24C when I took my walk down the road before lunch. Coming back, I had to pull my scarf even higher around my face due to the wind.

The Forest is Alive Even in the Depths of Winter

2012-01-13T13:48:00.000-08:00

~ January 15 ~

Pine Grosbeaks sitting in the bright winter sunshine.

~ January 13th ~

Today when I came out of the house, I was greeted by the lovely song of the male grosbeak. I looked up to see him at the very top of this tree.

The loud call of the Pileated Woodpecker and then his hammering on some nearby tree soon got my attention though. The odd hollow sound was coming from an ancient tree, still standing but not green anymore. The woodpecker didn't seem to be looking for insects, but was simply tattooing out a message. Every so often he would stop and just sit there. Waiting. It wasn't long before a second Pileated Woodpecker arrived on the scene. Both the female and male Pileated Woodpecker have the red crest, but I really couldn't get a good identification of either of these birds. They were too far away.

As if that wasn't enough excitement for the day, shortly after seeing the woodpeckers, I saw one of the lake's Bald Eagles perched in a spruce tree very close to the house.

~ January 12th ~

On my walk through the woods, I spied a busy squirrel feasting on a morsel taken from an evergreen that had blown over in a strong wind.

~ January 10th ~

The pine grosbeaks love to perch on the highest branch. This one appeared to be sunning herself, but she was only pausing momentarily before flying down to the bird feeders.

Northern Gateway Pipeline Proposal

2012-01-11T16:21:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the start of the public hearings for the proposed building of the Northern Gateway pipeline extending from Alberta's oil sands to the west coast of British Columbia (Kitimat). If it goes ahead it would have the capacity to transport 525,000 barrels of oil daily (200 oil tankers per year) destined for U.S. and Asian markets. The oil tankers would have to navigate185 km of inner coastal waters and the Great Bear Rainforest.

In Kitamaat Village, where the first hearings are being held, Haisla Hereditary Chief, Ken Hall expressed his opposition to this project saying that it "put his people in the crosshairs of possible disaster and they must put threats to their homes and their children's future ahead of job prospects that might come from the pipeline." Samuel Robinson, a Hereditary Chief and fisherman from Kitamaat Village also opposed the project. "I know every inch of our territory. The area's rich with seafood, halibut, cod, fur-bearing animals," he said. "It worries me that all this will be lost or destroyed when there is a spill. Mark my words: when there is a spill. Experience knows it will happen."

I have my own misgivings about this project and the impact it will have on the environment. The proposed pipeline stretches for 1,177 km and crosses some 1000 streams and rivers. Five major salmon rivers will be affected: Stuart River, Morice River, Copper River, Kitimat River, Salmon River. The upheaval to the land and waterways will be enormous.

Full Moon

2012-01-09T21:20:00.000-08:00

"...the night, serene and still,
Fell on village, vale, and hill.

Then the moon, in all her pride,
Like a spirit glorified,
Filled and overflowed the night..."

from a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)

Waxing Gibbous Moon

2012-01-04T15:47:00.000-08:00

Waxing Crescent Moon

2011-12-31T14:13:00.000-08:00

A time to think up fresh ideas; A time to start new things.

Sunny Morning

2011-12-04T11:00:00.000-08:00

The little finches (Common Redpoll) were all over the birch trees this morning eating the seeds held in the catkins. A beautiful and reassuring sight.

Wintry Grey Day

2011-11-28T15:50:00.000-08:00

I went for a brisk walk in the afternoon. It was just above freezing, but there was an arctic wind blowing which numbed my hands in no time at all. Soon I was back and checking on the birds at the feeders.

With an audible flap of his wings, a woodpecker arrived on the scene, flying from tree to tree. He kept up with this behavior, first coming closer and then retreating, making it known that he wanted me to leave before he flew down to the feeders.

Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator)

2011-11-26T08:46:00.000-08:00

Adult Male

Mountaintop

2011-11-25T08:35:00.000-08:00

It was blustery here last night, but nothing unusual occurred that could disturb our sleep. There's barely a breeze blowing this morning, and we are looking out on a tranquil day.

Hang Onto Your Hats

2011-11-24T10:04:00.000-08:00

Environment Canada is forecasting "potentially damaging" strong winds to develop today in the Cariboo, Chilcotin, Prince George, Bulkley Valley and The Lakes regions of B.C.

It was calm here earlier, but the wind is starting to pick up a little now. When I was outside, what I thought was a vehicle coming down the road was actually the sound of the wind rushing through. Perhaps we are in for a storm. At the moment it is about +1C and cloudy.

Last night we had to put the bird feeders and suet ball in the garden shed because one or two deer had discovered them the previous night. We didn't see them, but their tracks that came from the front of the driveway and led straight to the feeders told the tale.

The photo below was taken last February.

Mule Deer

Red-Breasted Nuthatch

2011-11-22T14:28:00.000-08:00

On this balmy, breezy afternoon, I stood near the feeders with my camera poised waiting for something to happen. I heard his "toot" before I actually saw him. He is a quick little fellow and usually doesn't stay around too long. But today he lingered at the suet ball eating tidbits before flying away with a sunflower seed that he would shell in a nearby spruce tree.

Winter Fare

2011-11-21T11:49:00.000-08:00

Photographing the rose hips the other day made me think of the Ruffed Grouse family, and I wondered how they were doing. I haven't seen them since late August. The grouse feed mainly on birch tree catkins and dormant aspen buds as well as twigs, leaves and rose hips during the winter. In previous years, I have also seen them eating the leftover red currants and saskatoon berries that had dried on the bushes and sunflower seeds under the bird feeders.

Ruffed Grouse Chicks in the garden this past August

Frosty

2011-11-19T11:30:00.000-08:00

Currently -20C (earlier -24C)

I noticed a flock of small birds in the birch trees as I glanced out the window while having my breakfast and wondered if they were redpolls. Were they going to stay or fly on through? At ten thirty I went out to see about the feeders, and found a very determined redpoll sitting in the platform feeder gobbling up the sunflower seeds as fast as she* could shell them. Every now and again she would poke her head up for a quick look round (my chance to take a picture).

Common Redpoll

*Both the male and female have a red crown, but the female lacks

the red cheeks and breast.

Downy Woodpecker

Black-capped Chickadee

Winter Landscape

2011-11-18T08:51:00.000-08:00

It is a beautiful still morning, -14C.

A Blizzard

2011-11-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday some of the pine grosbeaks were perched precariously in the poplar trees, trying to stay upright in the gusts of wind that threatened to knock them sideways. Even with all the commotion, their remarkable, melodic song remained unvaried and sounded as sweet and clear as ever.

~ April

Lichen

2011-11-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

I believe this variety of lichen is called Hooded Bone, named for its hood-shaped lobe tips.

"Many species [of lichen] are sensitive to air pollution to differing degrees and have been employed successfully to monitor levels of air pollution, especially sulphur dioxide." source: Plants of Northern British Columbia, MacKinnon, Pojar, Coupe, published by Lone Pine Publishing

Good Morning

2011-11-14T08:30:00.000-08:00

the sunshine beckons to me to come out and greet the morning, cold and crisp

moon setting in a blue sky, trees sunlit

little bird sits on a branch eating a seed

Snow Falling

2011-11-12T09:47:00.000-08:00

under the protective branches
of a spruce tree I stand
and watch the chickadees,
lingering as long as possible,
still clad in my pajamas.

~ April

9:00 a.m. - a perfectly gray morning, -1 C

A Walk in the Forest

2011-11-08T15:45:00.000-08:00

I think I am in Lilliputian Land when I discover someone's table littered with discarded pine cone scales.

A little further into my walk, I come upon a soft, mossy carpet and a supply of pine cones, neatly piled.

I see a movement in the trees near me. Two squirrels quickly run away, but then one abruptly stops and gives me a good scolding.

"Please excuse me." "I'm awfully sorry for the intrusion."

Fresh Snow

2011-11-06T14:28:00.000-08:00

The first snowfall of the year. It really wasn't much, but it was a little icy driving down the hill this morning on our way to retrieve the remainder of the firewood.

Squirrel races along a log carrying something

a broken, old tree used by the woodpeckers

an offering

Wood Cutting

2011-11-05T16:03:00.000-07:00

a pine beetle killed tree cut down for firewood.

-5 degrees C in the morning, but all together a very pleasant day in the woods.

Nature Notes

2011-11-03T20:13:00.000-07:00

This morning as we started out for the city we saw a flock of wild geese resting in the field and then two deer at the road's edge when we drove round a corner. Once on the main highway, we saw a fox heading towards the woods beyond the right-of-way, and on the way home, I pointed out some ducks and a beautiful antlered deer to my husband. Our lucky day.

Busy Squirrel

2011-11-02T11:00:00.000-07:00

November

2011-11-01T11:00:00.000-07:00

November by Hartley Coleridge

The mellow year is hasting to its close:

The little birds have almost sung their last,

Their small notes twitter in the dreary blast --

That shrill-piped harbinger of early snows;

The patient beauty of the scentless rose,

Oft with the morn's hoar crystal quaintly glassed,

Hangs a pale mourner for the summer past,

And makes a little summer where it grows; --

In the chill sunbeam of the faint brief day

The dusky waters shudder as they shine;

The russet leaves obstruct the straggling way

Of oozy brooks, which no deep banks define,

And the gaunt woods, in ragged, scant array,

Wrap their old limbs with sombre ivy-twine.

~ Hartley Coleridge (1796-1849)

English poet

A Windy Day

2011-10-31T16:25:00.000-07:00

Nothing much to report except to say, the wind has been wild today. Relentless.

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Trumpeter Swan

2011-10-30T18:58:00.000-07:00

The swans are still with us. We thought they had left, but this morning we saw them flying over the water.

Dazzling Sunshine

2011-10-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday

I came out when I saw the sun shining on the lake in the late afternoon; the wind had dissipated and the utter stillness was like being given a gift.

Storm Coming

2011-10-28T13:17:00.000-07:00

the chickadees are all business today at the feeders; there is no time to linger; a fierce, cold wind disturbs their feathers as they perch on the branches to hammer open a seed; my fingers feel numb; the wind is not favourable for taking pictures.

Little Nuthatch

2011-10-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

searching for a seed near my feet.

it felt like winter yesterday,
blustery, leaves in a swirl,
the unmistakable sound of the wind
as it rushed through the trees,
making them sway.

Ruffed Grouse

2011-10-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

at the edge of another road, stopped when we approached in the car, waited, then warily proceeded to walk, finally flew to the other side as we started up the car again. The road was deserted except for us.

Mule Deer

2011-10-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

wanting to cross this secondary highway.

Seasonal Changes

2011-10-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

skim of ice on the water
reflection of bare branches

Trumpeter Swans

2011-10-23T13:08:00.000-07:00

return to our lakes and streams in their yearly fall migration. A pause to rest and feed before resuming their journey southward.

Sinkut Lake

Cheeky Chipmunk

2011-10-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

pouches stuffed full with sunflower seeds

What Will the Day Bring?

2011-10-21T11:33:00.000-07:00

more rain

raindrops on the window

or possibly snow

snow on the mountain

3 degrees C

A Crow Sits in the Pouring Rain

2011-10-19T17:00:00.000-07:00

In the Late Afternoon

2011-10-15T16:52:00.000-07:00

On this nice, sunny, cool day I hung up one of the winter bird feeders, which soon attracted the chickadees and nuthatches. The woodpeckers tried their best to get a seed, too, and it made me think of the suet cakes they like most of all.

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Hairy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker (Male)

Autumn Sky

2011-10-15T13:00:00.000-07:00

On most mornings recently, we have been privileged to see the Canada Geese fly over the house. We don't see them at first; there is only a distinct sound in the distance that builds to an exhilarating pitch as the flocks pass above the trees and head towards the water.

Rock Collection

2011-06-30T11:22:00.000-07:00

I like these rocks for their shapes and surface patterns. They are displayed on an old tree stump at the edge of a small glade.

Nothing to do on a lazy summer afternoon but happily sit in a tree

2011-06-28T13:07:00.000-07:00

Honouring World Earth Day

2011-04-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

At the River

2011-04-06T15:12:00.000-07:00

Something extraordinary is happening in the valley. Sightseers are gathering at the river to see what the excitement is all about.

By the sounds of it, a spring party is in full swing. Most of the attendees are Trumpeter Swans, but there are also flocks of Canada Geese and some ducks, and they have all congregated on the ice that borders either side of a winding ribbon of swift flowing water.

Spring Renewal

2011-04-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

"There is no time like Spring,
When life's alive in everything."

~ from "Spring" by Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)


Bald Eagle at Sinkut River

Glorious Spring Day

2011-03-27T16:00:00.000-07:00

It is one of those days when anything seems possible.

Never lose hope.

View of the Nechako River

2011-03-24T13:40:00.000-07:00

The river is still frozen, and it looks quite barren. But, I see that I am mistaken. Across that expanse of snow and ice there are signs of life, and they are coming from a creek or tributary where large numbers of migrating Trumpeter Swans have gathered to rest and feed.

A Chance Sighting

2011-03-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

It happened that, one day, when I was at the bridge an otter came out of the water onto the ice a safe distance away. The otter was instantly alert, but he remained there for several minutes before slipping back into the water. I waited for a bit and then out he came again into the sunshine.

International Year of Forests 2011

2011-03-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

The United Nations General Assembly has designated 2011 as the
International Year of Forests.

The forest provides protection for many animals, including this Mule Deer who bounded away when she saw me, but was still curious enough to stop and watch from behind a screen of branches.

Black-capped Chickadee

2011-03-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

Year-round residents in the north woods ~

They keep us company during the long winter months.

There's A Concert Outside

2011-02-28T07:00:00.000-08:00

Downy Woodpecker

Pine Grosbeak

Black-capped Chickadee

Steller's Jay

Common Redpolls

Winter Visitors

2011-02-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the deer pay us a visit. They have a well-worn path between the house and the forest that they use or else they wander up the short trail that cuts through the trees to the road. They make their rounds looking for food. We have to remove one of the hanging feeders and store it away for the night because we found that they were eating the sunflower seeds.

Although we bury the compost (mostly vegetable peelings) under a layer of snow, they have dug down with their hooves to retrieve whatever morsels are there. We don't always see them, but their hoof prints in the snow and in the bins the next day tell us they've been here.

I'm sure the deer must also look longingly at the hay that the neighbour places out for his horses, and one morning W----- saw several of these beautiful animals slowly making their way across the field, following the tracks made by a snowmobile, heading in the direction of a hay shed.

Mule Deer

A picture taken around suppertime one day.

Today ~

Two deer were on the road when we arrived back from town.

A short time later, they were wandering up the path.

Tall Trees and Birds

2011-02-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

Look for the Bald Eagle in the center tree. See him there high up on the right? You might have to click on the photo for better viewing. Two crows are in the tall tree in the foreground, difficult to photograph.

This is the picture I took (using the zoom feature) just as the Bald Eagle turned his head.

One very cold and sunny afternoon recently two crows perched companionably near the top of a tall tree. They seemed to be enjoying the warmth of the sun, and perhaps they were doing a little courting as well.

It wasn't long before a Bald Eagle settled in an adjacent tree, his weight bending the spruce branch on which he perched. The eagle sat facing the southeast corner, and his head, one side and part of his back received the full benefit of the sun's rays. He remained almost motionless, moving only his magnificent head to scan the road and fields.

Meanwhile, the two crows in the other tree were completely at ease and in no hurry to leave. In fact, they didn't fly off until the sun began its descent in the west a short time later. The Bald Eagle stayed until it grew dark.

Moon Glow

2011-02-16T18:00:00.000-08:00

The Moon by Sappho

The stars about the lovely moon
Fade back and vanish very soon,
When, round and full, her silver face
Swims into sight and lights all space.

~ Sappho

Greek Poet

Birds in their Habitat

2011-02-14T11:00:00.000-08:00

Pine Grosbeak

Steller's Jay

Moose on Hillside

2011-02-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

Moose (a cow and a calf *) browsing on a wooded hillside.

Recently I had the good fortune to observe two moose browsing on a wooded hillside behind my house. I had seen something moving far down the hill when I looked out an upstairs window early one morning. The moose, of course, didn't know I was there, and they stopped often to leisurely nibble on twigs while making their way up the steep slope. Soon I was able to view them better and take a few pictures.

* The calf would have been from the previous year. A calf usually stays with its mother until she gives birth to a new calf in the following spring.

Northern Flicker

2011-01-24T16:10:00.000-08:00

Glorious Morning

2010-12-14T10:00:00.000-08:00

Sunrise

SEASON'S GREETINGS

Seasonal Changes

2010-10-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

One morning, recently, we saw this lovely creature near the house.

Growing a new winter coat

In motion

Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus)

(main source for information: Hinterland Who's Who)

- also called the Varying Hare
- found only in North America
- common in all regions of Canada
- ears shorter than other hares' ears
- fur turns white in winter
- large hind legs
- habitat - prefers coniferous forests with dense understory
- black tufts of fur on edges of ears
- diet in winter: twigs, bark, spruce tree needles

Earth

An Autumn Sky

2010-10-14T12:41:00.000-07:00

I spent a leisurely morning raking leaves

(no noisy leaf blower for me)

while every so often contemplating

the clouds racing across a brilliant blue sky.

Garter Snake

2010-10-08T13:16:00.000-07:00

My husband came in from cutting wood

to tell me that he saw a garter snake

at the base of a birch tree, and

did I want to take a picture?

(please click on image for better viewing)

Earth

In the Birch Trees

2010-10-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

(please click on images for better viewing)

Yesterday at about four thirty in the afternoon, I saw a few birds foraging in the birch trees. They seemed to be very interested in what was on the leaves. One bird, in particular, paused long enough for me to focus and get some acceptable pictures.

I haven't come up with an ID yet, although I've gone back and forth between this warbler and that warbler. I almost thought I had a name for this pretty bird, but at the end of the day, I still couldn't be certain. And so it goes - me, the novice birder; me, taking pictures of birds at every opportunity; me, trying to correctly identify them, often getting it wrong; and me, a dedicated bird watcher.

Note: Identified as an immature Yellow-rumped Warbler, fall plumage.

Sunbathing Robin

2010-09-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

These photos were taken on August 13th of this year in the early afternoon. Our summer had been mostly hot and dry.

My vantage point had been a second story window. At first when I had glanced out and had seen the juvenile robin collapsed on the ground, I thought the poor thing had suffered an injury.

(please click on images for better viewing)

After a short time had passed though, the robin folded its wings together and calmly hopped away.

I discovered several articles that described this "sunning"* phenomenon in the wild bird population. The birds will flop down, often leaning to one side, spread out their wings and tail feathers and remain motionless for several minutes. Notice, too, the raised position of one wing in the first photo.

*It is thought that this helps to "dislodge feather parasites".

The Earthlife Web

Sandpipers

2010-09-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

On the shores of Stuart Lake, Fort St. James, British Columbia
(912 km or approximately 567 miles from Vancouver, B.C.).

These photos were taken at the end of August. I wish I could properly identify this bird, and I am guessing it is either a juvenile Semipalmated, Western or Least Sandpiper.

(please click on images for better viewing)

Ruffed Grouse

2010-08-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

These pictures were taken on two separate occasions.

One evening about two weeks ago I heard and saw the Ruffed Grouse family near a stack of logs.

(please click on the images for better viewing)

They were instantly alert. Most scattered into the dense underbrush, all except for one bird, who, with slow, cautious steps and raised ruff proceeded along the top of the log pile before making a beeline to the relative safety of the woods.

Last Thursday, my husband and I saw them again when we went for an afternoon walk in the forest. We noticed a cloud of dust blowing across the trail in front of us.

As we got closer, we realized what was causing the dust storm. We had inadvertently surprised the grouse in the midst of a dust bath (the dust being some old fireplace ashes that we had deposited here last spring).

There must have been at least four or five grouse, but we only saw one in the dust bath. They immediately burst into the air and hid in the vegetation.

Camouflage
Downy feathers
Covered in ash dust

Shh, Babies Napping

2010-07-14T07:45:00.000-07:00

Sometimes babies need a little quiet time. The babies I observed were two young crows (siblings) perched in a Spruce tree that was swaying lightly in the breeze. They sat and sat and sat very contentedly together with not a peep between them.

I notice here that they still have some of their downy feathers.

Ruffed Grouse with Chicks

2010-06-18T08:25:00.000-07:00

Things are usually very quiet here, that is until the forest suddenly erupts with some disturbance or other and there are a few minutes of excitement before all is calm again. Lately it has been the crows causing a ruckus. I think they are keeping tabs on their babies which have left the nest.

Yesterday afternoon we heard some motherly clucking noises near the garden and were delighted to see Mrs. Grouse with her small offspring. The following photo shows only one of her chicks, but there were more hiding in the bushes when I took the picture. As soon as they noticed us, they hurried towards the hillside where the trees and brush would afford more protection.

Initially the chicks feed on insects, but later in the summer they are eating flowers, soft leaves, berries and seeds. They are particularly fond of clover. (information at Hinterland Who's Who)

Butterfly

2010-04-17T13:46:00.000-07:00

Close-up

With the days growing warmer and warmer, we have been kept busy outside tending to gardening chores and enjoying all the sights and sounds of the spring renewal.

Aspen Poplar

2010-04-12T13:57:00.000-07:00

Fuzzy Catkins

Populus tremuloides

Male and female catkins are on separate trees. I'll have to make a further study to determine which one this is. There is an abundance of poplars in this region of British Columbia. The trembling leaves are lovely to listen to in a summer breeze.

Mule Deer

2010-04-10T08:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning four mule deer wandered up the trail and into the yard. I had previously seen them in the adjacent field.

Odocoileus hemionus

They have begun to shed their thick winter coats.

Note:
The Mule Deer are named for their very large ears.

Dark-eyed Junco

2010-04-08T11:46:00.000-07:00

The shy juncos have been here for perhaps two months now and can often be observed foraging under bushes and on the gravel driveway, stamping their little feet to get at some tidbit (a seed that's buried or a bug). I hear their clickety-clack "dit, dit" calls whenever I'm outside.

Junco hyemalis

Mourning Cloak Butterfly

2010-04-05T14:19:00.000-07:00

~A sighting today of the first butterfly of the season ~

These amazing butterflies hibernate all winter long in woodpiles, nesting boxes, tree cavities and other areas of the garden. In the spring the females lay their eggs on tree branches.

Nymphalis antiopa

Basking in the Sun

2010-03-29T13:19:00.001-07:00

Garter Snakes
Their "notice sudden is" *

* from Snake by Emily Dickinson

Out of Hibernation

2010-03-27T16:03:00.000-07:00

For the past week I have been checking this birch tree to see if the garter snakes have come out of hibernation. Today I saw the first one warming itself on the trunk. It is their usual and favourite springtime spot. Their den must be fairly close, although I have never seen it. This particular tree is also perfectly situated for catching the benefits of the strong afternoon sun, and just look how well the snake blends in with its surroundings.

A Walk in the Forest

2010-03-22T11:21:00.000-07:00

Click on images to enlarge

Sinkut Mountain

Forest Floor

Lichen

Tree Stump

Red Squirrel

Moss and Lichen

Spruce and Birch Trees

Kinnikinnick (Bearberry)

The picture below was added later the same day. We were visited by three Mule Deer in the afternoon. One was in the garden, and two were in the area of the compost bins. It's not often that we see them so close to the house. This deer saw me and made off down the hill.

Mule Deer on hillside

Sunrise on the First Day of Spring

2010-03-20T08:35:00.003-07:00

Across the Lake

2010-03-19T09:38:00.001-07:00

A Beautiful Springlike Day in the Central Interior of British Columbia

2010-03-18T13:28:00.000-07:00

An immature Bald Eagle perches in a tall poplar tree.

It takes four or five years before a Bald Eagle acquires the characteristic adult plumage.

The lake is slowly opening up...sunlight sparkles on the water.

Sky Watch Friday

Spring Rituals

2010-03-16T12:42:00.000-07:00

The forest has come alive again with the first stirrings of spring. Last week I saw above me two crows performing their aerial courtship, and today I saw one with a twig in its bill. They certainly are more vocal than they have been all winter, and there are more of them, too. The Pileated Woodpeckers also have begun their ritualistic tattooing, declaring territorial rights or trying to attract the attention of a mate.

The loud hammering drew me to a hydro pole a short distance from the driveway.

Fortunately, the Pileated Woodpecker soon gave up this dangerous perching spot and flew back to a dead, hollow tree, where I had first seen it during my walk earlier.

Bird Watching

2010-01-23T11:30:00.000-08:00

Pine Grosbeak, Male
One of our winter residents

A quote from one of Thoreau's journal entries:

December 11, 1855

"When some rare northern bird like the pine grosbeak is seen thus far south [New England] in the winter, he does not suggest poverty, but dazzles us with his beauty. There is in them a warmth akin to the warmth that melts the icicle."

~ Henry David Thoreau
(The Heart of Thoreau's Journals)

A Winter Garden

2010-01-10T06:50:00.000-08:00

Hoar FrostRose Hips
Birch Tree Catkins (the seeds are a staple food of the redpolls in winter)

Sky Watch - Sunlit Trees

2010-01-07T14:00:00.000-08:00

These are chilly days in the north. I took these photos late one afternoon when the sun's rays lit up the trees at the eastern edge of the forest. The two hardy birds you see are both finches - the larger one is a male Pine Grosbeak and the one perched on a branch below is a Redpoll.

Sky Watch Friday.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-05T13:13:00.000-08:00

It's very cold here today, but we're surviving and enjoying the bright sunshine. At the moment, it's about -18C. I was outside earlier tidying up around the compost bin (I think the deer are visiting it at night, and they've scattered some of the vegetable scraps) and also replenishing the bird feeders. Just as I was about to leave and go into the house, another woodpecker arrived on the scene. There was a noisy commotion as one chased the other from tree to tree until he had had enough and flew to a poplar on the other side of the driveway.

Peace Over The Land

2009-12-24T11:00:00.000-08:00

At Sunset

'Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled

That mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead.

~ St. Jean de Brebeuf (from The Huron Carol)

May peace be your gift at Christmas
and your blessing all year through.

Winter Solstice

2009-12-21T10:29:00.000-08:00

The snow lies deep on this official first day of winter. We've had another foot of snow overnight which makes it look very wintry indeed.

This Week's Featured Bird

2009-12-19T09:41:00.000-08:00

Black-capped Chickadee ~ Parus atricapillus

Length: 13cm (5 1/4")

Year round resident

This chickadee must have been digging in the snow for a seed.

Sky Watch/A Perfectly Lovely Winter Day

2009-12-18T11:50:00.000-08:00

It has warmed up considerably and is about 6 degrees C at the present moment. Very pleasant!

The view across a frozen lake near my home. Someone has cleared a nice rink.

Season's Greetings

Sky Watch Friday

This Week's Featured Bird

2009-12-12T14:22:00.000-08:00

Common Redpoll ~ Carduelis flammea

Length: 13cm (5 1/4")
Weighs 14g (0.5 oz.)

named for their red or orange-red cap or "poll"

Today the birds were fluffed up against the cold with the temperature hovering around -13C all day. It was mostly cloudy with some swirling snowflakes earlier on. I counted at least a dozen grosbeaks and as many redpolls at the feeders. There were two nuthatches on this day, numerous chickadees and our friendly squirrel.

Redpoll, female, perched in the Serviceberry Bushes.

This one is perched on the ash can lid which also serves as a platform feeder.

The Sky

2009-12-10T09:15:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, shortly before sunset

"I will grow. I will become something new and grand, but no grander than I now am. Just as the sky will be different in a few hours, its present perfection and completeness is not deficient."

~ Wayne Dyer

More wonderful skies at Sky Watch Friday

This Week's Featured Bird

2009-12-05T05:30:00.000-08:00

Pine Grosbeak ~ Pinicola enucleator

a large finch about the size of a robin

A number of birds gathered at the feeders yesterday while we were out clearing snow. We were all very grateful that the sun shone through after all. In between the Grosbeaks on the ground are the little Redpolls, also of the Finch family.

A female and male Pine Grosbeak eating sunflower seeds in the sunshine.

A male Pine Grosbeak eyes the buffet below before swooping down to join the others.

The Pine Grosbeak is our brightest bird of the winter.

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Winter

2009-12-03T09:13:00.000-08:00

"There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you...In spring, summer and fall, people sort of have an open season on each other, only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself."

~ Ruth Stout (1884-1980) ~ organic mulch gardener, author

Hoarfrost

2009-12-02T14:29:00.000-08:00

The hoarfrost gave the landscape a somewhat ghostly appearance on this very dull, overcast day. Maybe tomorrow the sun will come out.

Pine Grosbeaks perched in a Poplar tree near the feeders.

There were Chickadees, Grosbeaks and Common Redpolls at the feeders today. Also, one Nuthatch, one Woodpecker and one Squirrel.

On a Cold Morning

2009-12-01T08:31:00.000-08:00

The sun shines brilliantly through the trees, and the forest awakens to a frosty winter morning. The outdoor thermometer reads -10C, quite fitting for December 1st in this region of the province. For the past few days, the lake has been talking to us with loud rumblings and groans as it expands and freezes over. The chickadees are busy at the feeders, and we have a fire going in the fireplace, so all is well.

Our Sky Tonight

2009-11-30T16:19:00.000-08:00

There's a cold wind blowing.

Black-capped Chickadee

2009-11-27T10:47:00.000-08:00

Busy shelling a sunflower seed.

Sky Watch - Sunset

2009-11-26T17:14:00.000-08:00

It was an eerie sunset this evening.

There is some slash burning going on in the distance, and the smoke has tainted the atmosphere for miles around. We first saw the fires when we were coming home from the city.

The moon tonight is almost 3/4 full.

Sky Watch Friday

Festive Lights

2009-11-25T11:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas is only a month away.

Reflections

2009-11-24T11:00:00.000-08:00

(please click on image for a better view of the detail)

This picture of the river channel was taken last week, and as you can see, there is already some ice formed at the edges.

Watery Wednesday

Hairy Woodpecker

2009-11-21T07:00:00.000-08:00

Hairy Woodpecker, Female

Snowing Across the Land

2009-11-20T09:54:00.000-08:00

We had another snowfall overnight. This time it's the wet kind that clumps together and sticks to the bottom of our boots when we walk in it. Good snow woman or snowman material. Any minute now, I will be going out to clear the walk, a space around the bird feeders, the deck at the back and the sides of the house while W-- does the driveway and paths. Temperature: 1C