Saturday, May 25, 2013

Two Hares

were observed from a window....
8:00 A.M

One hare watched cautiously from a spot on a mound,

while the other hare dozed under a bush.

Suddenly, the first hare became fully alert, turned and ran into the woods.

The other hare sat up at this commotion, but stayed sitting under the bush.

Later, when I checked, the hare had left this cozy spot and was sitting on the driveway.  She seemed to want to go back to her nap and hopped in the direction of the bush, pausing to eat a dandelion leaf on the way.  She didn't stay too long though.  The mosquitoes may have bothered her too much as every so often she flicked her ears to shoo them away.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Northern Flicker

Colaptes auratus

Male Northern Flicker

I took these photos last Saturday.  The flicker was searching for insects in the bark of a poplar tree.  I probably wouldn't have seen him at all but for his piercing territorial call. 

There are some good recordings of the various sounds that the flicker makes at the All About Birds website.
 

Friday, May 17, 2013

Hermit Thrush

Catharus guttatus


I'm so excited to have identified another bird for my life list.  I'm pretty sure this is a Hermit Thrush.  The bedraggled looking bird was first observed hopping on the ground, then flying to a tree, then hopping down to the base of the tree and finally coming to sit on the fence.  I'm guessing that the thrush had just arrived in the area from his southern winter range.   
  • 17 cm (6 3/4") long
  • whitish eye ring
  • reddish tail
  • pink legs and feet
  • slender bill

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Mule Deer


Four deer wandered into the yard yesterday morning, and were browsing when I happened to notice them.  The one in the photo was nibbling on the Saskatoon bushes.  Their fur has become rather patchy as they shed their coarse winter coats.


Sunday, May 12, 2013

Mother's Day



The hare was near the Saskatoon bushes earlier this morning eating dandelion greens.  We jokingly wonder how soon it'll be before she's bringing her babies by for a visit.

At the moment, the weather here is sunny and warm with some wind. 

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Beautiful Weather

 



Rufous 

We have had some glorious summery days lately, and the birch trees are looking lovely.  The hummingbirds perch amongst the catkins and new leaves with their attention focused on the whereabouts of intruders.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Garter Snakes

basking in the sun at the base of a Birch tree


Friday, May 3, 2013

Merlin Pair

perched in a poplar tree
yesterday evening